The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-07-24
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
THE CALL OF DUTY
BY HALLE HALE.
BY HALE HALE.

ny UNCLE I1NEGs
1t was the only thing to be done
and yet Carter hated to do It, He
had 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 a Haunting capital, demanded it
and Duty had ever been the lodestal
OF Carriers life. 1t 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. 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 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 me-" he cried as the
eyes, more eloquent than ever in their
suffering, again looked into his.
Never mind" came in a whispered
answer. "lt-had to be, but I'm
about done for think"
The outlaw lay with one hand
pressed to his side, while through his
fingers bright. fresh blood oozed Car
ter had considered himself strong
man. but at this sight a sickening
wave OF weakness assailed him.
IL 1t were only the bold desperate
his Imagination had pictured, instead
OF this frank-faced boy, who lay with
Ing beside him!
God! ! wish 1t hadn't have had to
be mel" broke from him.
"And-I-" spoke the other with diff
hculty-I only-wish your aim had
been better"
Isn't there something can do to
ease your 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 30
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
cold blood.
Better" he asked trifie hoarsely.
oh. yes-that is. 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.
Il don't know-why should want
it-but I seem to-" NUT
tered the sufferer, as Carter set down
the flask. That eternal fight for life
why is 1t? If I'd been-a man I'd
have given myself up after-after L
did it-instead Of taking to the wilds !!
and then having-to kill that other
n self-defense. That last was wrong
i admit 1t. But-no man can exact. /
y-understand until-they are-up
here and know that 1t is his life-or
yours. There's no reasoning in it
we do that after. Its-simply the
eternal fight"
Though the strong liquor had re-
'iyed the dying man somewhat his
breath still came In deep groans.
But the first-Jones-you do not
'egret that?" Carter found himself say
ng.
Regret? A thousand times-no!"
His vehemence caused the sufferer a
ieeper pang of agony. and with
lips he subsidized into silence
Carter pressed the flask again to his
Ups.
Thanks" muttered the outlaw
Then as though with an effort he
'oused himself again. I'D like to
tell you-before 60" he began,
that l thank the Creator who made
ne with my dying breath for having
given me the grace to send a bullet
through that blackguard's brain! And
If only Fd-given myself up then.
8ut remember thinking
couldn't let her know-that I'd killed
man-she might not understand,
md thought perhaps this way-she'd
lever know. And-then, you know
he eternal fight"
Carter vas silent before ;&a clim2se !
u sacred secret. But The other
eemed disposed to speak cut his