The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-09-18

his key from the office, nodded to his
acquaintance OF the street ana LED the
, way to the elevator.
Armitage put aside his coat and hat,
locked the hall door. and then. when
| the two stood face to face in his little
| sitting room. be surveyed the man
| carefully.
What do you want?" he demanded
bluntly.
He took cigarette from Il box on
the table. lighted it aud then, with an
| air of finality, fixed his gaze upon the
man, who eyed him with kid OF
stupefied wonder. Then there flashed
, into the fellows bronZed face some
thing Of dignity and resentment. He
| stood perfectly erect, with his felt hat
clasped in his hand. Els clothes were
cheap, but clean, and his short coat
was buttoned trinity about him.
~ want nothing, Mr.. Armitage." he
replied humbly, speaking slowly and
with a marked German accent.
"Then you will be easily satisfied"
said Armitage. "You said your name
was"-
"OScar-OScar Breunlg.
Armitage sat down and scrutinized
the man again without relaxing his Sc
verify.
"You think you have seen me some
where, so you have followed me in
the streets to make sure. When did
this idea first occur to you"
II saw you at Fort Myer at the drill
last Friday. / have been looking for
you since and saw you leave your
horse at the hotel this afternoon. You
ride at Rock creek-yes"
"What do you do for living, Mr..
Breunig?" asked Armitage.
II was in the army, but served out
my time and was discharged few
months ago and came to Washington
to see where they make the govern
ment-yes? l am going to South Amer
lea. Is it Peru-yes? There will be
revolution"
He paused and Armitage met his
eyes. They were very blue and kind,
eyes that spoke of sincerity and fidel-
ity, such eyes as leader Of forlorn
hopes would like to know were behind
him when he gave the order to charge.
Then a curious thing happened. 1t
may have been the contact of eye with
eye that awoke question and response
between them. 1t may have been a
need in one that touched q chord of
helplessness in the other, but suddenly
Armitage leaped to his feet and grasp.
ed the outstretched hands Of the little
soldier
"Oscarv' he said. and repeated very
softly, "Oscarr'
The man was deeply moved, and
tears sprang into his eyes. Armitage
laughed, holding him at arms length.
"None of that nonsense! Sit DOWN.
He turned to the door, opened it and
peered into the hall. locked the door
again. then notioned the man to
chair.
$50 you deserted your mother coun-
try, did you, and have borne arms for
the glorious republicY
81 served in the PhiIippines-yes."
Crank, titles, emoluments. Oscar?"
II was sergeant, and the surgeon
could not find the bullet after Big
Bend Luzon, so they were sorry and
gave me certificate and So month
to my pay" said the man so succinctly
and colorlessly that Armitage laughed.
"You have done we'll. Oscar; honor
me by accepting a cigar"
The man took cigar from the box
which Armitage extended. but would
not light it. He held 1t rather absent
mindedly in his hand and continued to
stare.
you are not d-Mr.-Armitage
but your father
my father is dead, Oscar"
"He was q good man." said the SOL
der.
Yes; he was a good man." repeated
Armitage gravely. II am alive, and
yet am dead, Oscar. DO you grasp