The Holbrook news., 1914-08-07
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THE CALL OF DUTY
By HAzLE HALE.


 the boyish, appealing eyes which looked up at him from the crevice be- tween the two logs. But Duty, spelled with a Haunting capital, demanded 1t. and Duty had ever been the lodestar of Carter's life. It afterwards seemed to him that the thoughts of a 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 We'll. 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 it's work 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 a whispered answer. It-had to be, but I'm about done for I-think."
 The outlaw lay with one hand pressed to his side. while through his fingers bright, fresh blood oozed. Car ter had considered himself a strong man. but at this sight a sickening wave of weakness assailed him.
 If it were only the bold desperado his imagination had pictured, instead of this frank-faced boy, who lay writh- Ing beside himl
 God! I wish it hadn't have had to be mel" broke from him.
 "And-I-" spoke the other with diff dculty-'T only-wish your aim had been better"
 Isn't there something I can do to ease you?" inquired Carter, trying to pull himself together
 Nothing -only-my head"
 Quickly divining, Carter moved nearer and raised the sufferers head on his knee Though elated to think it lay within his power to add. be it ever so little, to the wounded mans comfort, | Carter was moved to reflect upon the strangeness of thus pillowing the | head of the man he had just shot in i cold blood.
 ".Better?" he asked a trifie hoarsely. |
 "Oh. yes-that is. I-don't mind much"
 Would you like-whisky?
 The outlaw managed to move his head in assent. and Carter after put ting his hand carefully to his hip pocket for his flask. held the liquor to his lips.
 'I don't know-why I-should want to-prolong it-but l seem to-" nut tered the sufferer, as Carter set down the flask. That eternal fight for fife why is it? If I'd been-a man I'd have given myself up after-after r. did it-instead of taking to the wilds and then having-to kill that other In self-defense. That last was wrong Il admit it. But-no man can exact Iy-understand until-they are-up there and know that it is his Iife-or yours. There's no reasoning in it. we do that after It's-simply the eternal fight"
 Though the strong liquor had re- vived the dying man somewhat his breath still came in deep groans
 But the frst-Jones-yo do not regret that?" Carter found himself say ing.
 Regret? A thousand times-nol" His vehemence caused the sufferer a deeper pang of agony. and with blanched lips he subsided into silence. Carter pressed the flask again to his lips.
 Thanks" muttered the outlaw. Then as though with an effort he reused himself again. 'I-rd like to tell you-before l go," he began, that l thank the Creator who made me with my dying breath for having given me the grace to send a bullet through that blackguard's brain. And if only Pd-given myself up then. But I-remember thinking-that-I couldn't let her know-that I'd killed 8 man-she might not understand. and thought perhaps this way-she'd never know. And-then. you know the eternal fight
 Carter was silent before the glimpse of a sacred secret. But the other seemed disposed to speak out his thoughts.
 "Its-it's rather good to talk when you know your talking days-are about over" he muttered grimIy- Good to talk-even when it costs you agony But when-you get-to this point-some way-agony doesn't count it tells you-you're living any way