The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-04-01
The Stars Five Minute QuiCk-Fire Story
BY Bannlster Merwln.

ening as jauntily as his scarce-healed
wound permitted His furlough was
nearly at an end and he was glad, for
though it had been pleasant to be fet-
ed as a hero in his fathers house, the
call from the front was More men!
More men!" and he was eager to go
where the bullets were singing.
He had been one of the first to ans
wer President Lincoln's earliest call
for troops. At the expiration Of his
period he had re-enlisted till the war
should end. He had gone unscathed
through several battles; but at last,
in a minor skirmish, a Confederate
bullet had plowed through his shout
der. A month in the hospital at Wash
ington, six weeks at home-yes, he
was glad that he was we'll enough to
go back to his company.
From some distance eastward there
suddenly came to him a confusion of
cries. Surprised, he stopped to listen.
1t was not the sound of cheering, but
seemed like mingled notes of terror
and rage.
What does that mean?" he NUT
tered.
Then, as he realized the import OF
the noise, his brow Clouded anxiously.
There was trouble about. the draft, Of
course. Thousands had been angered
by the prospect of enforced army SER
vice. He had known that the draft
officers were not expecting an easy
time of it, though-surely there could
be no serious outbreak!
But the uproar was growing louder.
Harry started rapidly eastward. If
there was trouble he might be needed.
All at once, around a corner little
distance ahead, came man running
at top speed-head down, elbows
working. He wore a uniform; his but
tons flashed as he passed a street.
lamp.
He raced on or a hundred feet, stop
ped to listen, and then continued more
slowly towards Harry.
They're rioting!" he exclaimed,
recognizing Harry's uniform, and
standing still. I'm a draft-officer. I
tried to join the others; but they head
ed me Off and had to run"
Before Harry could reply, a strag'
Cling mob of men and boys burst
around the corner, and, with triumph
ant yells, came toward them. They
carried sticks. One of them paused
to hurl a brickbat, which bounded
along the sidewalk past the two sol
diers. Without a word the stranger
turned and again ran for his life.
Harry hesitated. He did not like
to run; but he knew that he could not
handle that mob alone. They were
coming fast, shouting in their frenzy
and they would await no word from him
before striking him down. Harry ran
Back along Blocker street he raced
The draft-oficer, well ahead, looked
over his shoulder, and cried out some
indistinct sentence; but at the frs
corner Harry wheeled southwark
though the other kept straight on. He
had thought thus to divide their pursu
ers. CHANGING back, he saw that, while
most of the rioters had followed the
draft officer, dozen men had detach
ed themselves.
Harry was not in condition for 9
long race. Two months of invalidisD
had made him soft. But he plunged
on into the mazes of Greenwich vii
lage, turning, twisting, not noting the
streets he took Once he passed q
man who, apparently supposing thai
the fugitive was a thief, vainly tried
to trip him.
Turning with final burst of speed
into a quiet block, he stumbled with
faintness, and realized that he coult
run no farther. The red brick houses
with their white stone facings, at his
right, seemed to pass him more ant
more slowly Knowing that within al
instant his pursuers would round the
corner behind him, he turned to tho
nearest entrance-plunged up the Low
steps-threw himself against the door
To his establishment, the door gave
With a hopeful exclamation, he push
ed it wider open, slipped within, an'
closed it behind him. His fingers fel
for the bolt.
II.
In Tho ha1I T,nanini
against the door, Harry listened u
hear the rioters pass. When they ha'
gone by he would slip out again AM
make his way homeward.
A hand touched his breast, and
voice whispered