The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-07-27

The CALL OF DUTY
--o$o
BY HALLE HALE.

mad been prepared for anything but
the boyish, appealing eyes which
looked up at him from the crevice be-
tween the two logs. But Duty, spelled
with Haunting capital, demanded 1t,
and Duty had ever been the lodestar
Of Carter's life. 1t afterwards seemed
to him that the thoughts of thou.
sand years crowded his brain between
| the time he identified the hunted man
by the tell-tale scar upon his cheek
and had seen the mans hand move.
move toward his hip pocket-a move.
ment which caused Duty to call upon
Carter for the most extreme measures
and the time when, as the dogs
strained at the leash, he pulled the
trigger.
| His orders had been to shoot at the
least suspicious movement Well, he
had carried out his orders to the let
| ter, and yet he felt as guilty as though
he himself were thrice an outlaw. The
smoking weapon fell to the ground
with dull thud-it had done its work
J though the aim had not been good.
One quick look assured Carter Of this,
then he turned away to tie the blood
hounds where they could not be seen
by the man they had just tracked to
his death. Retracing his steps he
dropped down on his knees beside the
victim.
| God forgive mel" he cried as the
eyes, more eloquent than ever In their
suffering, again looked into his.
Never mind" came In whispered
answer. "It-had to be. but I'm
about done for think"
The outlaw lay with one hant
pressed to his side, while through his
fingers bright, fresh blood oozed. Car
ter had considered himself a stront
man, but at this sight sickenin.
wave of weakness assailed him.
If 1t were only the bold desperate
his Imagination had pictured instea'
Of this frank-faced boy, who lay with
Ing beside him.
God ! wish 1t hadn't have had Z
be me-" broke from him.
"And-I-" spoke the other with oil
flculty-"I only-wish your aim ha
been better
Isn't there something | can do t
ease your" inquired Carter, trying t
pull himself together.
Nothing-only-m head"
Quickly divining, Carter moved neare
and raised the sufferers head on hi
knee. Though elated to think 1t la
within his power to add, be 1t ever
little, to the wounded mans comfor
Carter was moved to reflect upon Ii
strangeness Of thus pillowing tt
head of the man he had just shot
~ cold blood
Better" he asked trifie hoarsel
! "Oh, yes-that Is, don't mind
I much"
= Would you like-whlskyY
I The outlaw managed to move h
! head In assent, and Carter after pu
7 ting his hand carefully to his hi
pocket for his flask, held the liquor
Z his lips.
1 II don't know--why should wa
Z to-prolong it-but seem to-" mi
7 tered the sufferer, as Carter set doV
the flask. That eternal fight for ii
z why is il? If I'd been-a man
J have given myself up after-after |
( did it-instead Of taking 70 he T'
and then having-to kill that 9th
In self.dofense That last was wro
i edmit It, But-no man can eXd
- ly-understand until-they are
there and know that 1t is his life
yours. There's no reasoning in II
we do that after, It's-simply
~ eternal fight.
Though the strong liquor had
yiyed the dying man somewhat
breath still came In deep groans.
but the first-Jones-you do I
regret that?" Carter found himself 81
ing.
yea, Regret? A thousand times-nC
His vehemence caused the sufferer
deeper pang of agony, and W
, blanched lips he subsidized into siien
-, Carter pressed the flask again to
~. lips,
'u'' Thanks" muttered the outla
up Then as though with an effort
plo- reused himself again. I'D like
wed tell you-before | go" ne beg
and that thank the Creator who ma
me with my dying breath for hav
Rtyen me the grace to send bul
Are through that blackguard's brain! A
If only Td-given myself up tn
But I-remember thinking-that
couldn't let her know-that I'd Kill
10 man-she might not understa
7-T-I and thought perhaps this way-sh
never know. And-then, you know
the eternal fight
- Carter was silent before the glim
4 Of a sacred secret. But the OF
. seemed disposed to speak out
thoughts.
"It's-it's rather good TO talk vi
ron know your talking days