Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-13

Of open dislike on his face walked a few
PAGES farther on. forgetting as he did
SO that he was bringing himself into the
direct line Of the shooter.
Dennison saw him.
Look out. Laydon. you'll be shot"
he shouted, but the warning came too
late to avert a tragedy, and Mason
fired. When the smoke and excitement
cleared away and men had time to real
ize what happened. Bobby Dennison lay
prone on the ground. and Layton stood
in bewildered silence beside him.
He flung himself on me and pushed
me out of the way" he said in an
swer to excited queries, and then to the
doctor already bending over the stir fig
ure. rs he dead? Cant you do some t,
tainted
The doctor Strengthened himself, and
those who saw his face read the an
swer to the question and turned away
Hes not dead-yet.'' he replied. Get
q stretcher and take him-to his quar-
mot to the hospital?' asked Leigh
Surely it would be better, sir
the surgeon. And some one look UP
his peoples address and wire to them
at once"
They carried him back to his quarters
and laid him on the bed, where the doc
tors made their examination. and his
As the hours wore on every one, men
and officers alike, knew that Robert Dem
nison's hours were numbered-one by one
his friends crept softly into the room.
looked for a moment at the silent figure
SO unlike the Bobby they had known.
and with saddened faces melted away
again. Now and again a man from his
company came and made anxious in
quiries, only to return to his room with
the news that there was no hope for the
CHEEKY youn officer, whom they had
| loved. But as the afternoon drew into
evening the procession of visitors came
to an end. and at length only Laydon.
remained, with the exception of Bobby s
Irish terrier, who lay, wondering and
quiet, under the bed. waiting for the
voice that had never failed him before.
the only sound to break the deathly
silence, save the vigorous polishing of
Dennison's Announcements In the adjoin-
ing room by the servant who know as
he polished that his master would never
use them again.
1t had grown dark when at length the
stiil figure stirred. the eyelids flickered
| and Bobby's blue eyes wandered vaguely
round his room.
what the" he whispered. huskily.
Layton out of the way. and Mason's
, bullet hit me. Poor old Mason, he never
! could shoot faint smile curved the
| lips still boyish In their outline. and his
, eyes rested on Laydon.
I'm glad you're here" he said. 81
should like you to know I'm sorry I play
| ed the fool with you. I only started 1t
/ for something to do and to annoy you.
didn't mean you to take it seriously.
! You know you've been a bit hard on
me sometimes, and when was only a
raw Kid you jumped on me pretty rough
/ ly. dare say I'm a fool and deserved 1t,
! but still-well. l thought I would just
| pay you out a little when 1 got the
chance-but II wasn't meant to be any
thing serious-you understand, don't
| you?"
! II understand. Bobby" Laydon's
voice was husky IL was bigger fool
| than you. for I knew you were only play
| ing-it was my beastly temper"
| "She doesn't care bit about me. you
| know" interrupted Bobby. 81 just play
ed about with her. She's only kid. too
you know, Layton. You'll be good to
| her. won't you, and remember she's only
| young? She's sound at the bottom
Il shall never be impatient with anJ