davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

I'm dying"
lie paused, but neither Of his hear
ers stirred.
Il shall die with the one thing I've
prayed for destroyed" he added in
tremulous tones. "Oh, Gabriel! Oh,
Hugo"
With a swift movement he drew
their hands together and locked both
his own over and around them.
Don't punish me any longer. Meet
her halfway. Hugo. It's only wife
that loves who demands the atten-
ton OF her husband. It's only a hus-
band OF worth. Gabriel. who works
too hard"
He went on, working himself up.
lie struggled up little and his voice
began 90 ring sonorous sentences
srlendidly acclaimed. tones OF scorn
and sudden entreaty. praying them
90 come together, railing at them.
laughing at them.
Then. back on his pillow, he fell
exhausted. his eyes closed. his lips
moving and no sound coming from
item.
And still Gabricls hand lay in
Hugo's.
Slowly the old mans hands drop
ped asunder Across the counter
pane they slid nervelessly. stIll
Iugo's hand held Gabriers.
The heavy eyelids OF the old actor
nickered and the pupils OF his eyes
glittcred narrowly in the Sits.
"Lot-lot me die az rest" whis
porcd Sir Jasper after a pause
lluro's eyes were fixed on
Gahricrs They did not speak Ifi'
questioned hers. She nodded %,
raised her hand 20 his lips
Leave me- muttercd Sir Jasper
send spear 90 me-"
Spear was bis secretary.
Gabriel stood up. From the stair
case came the sound Of hurried foot
steps The door burst open. LItu,
spear. with his red hair waving "
disorder. burst in
BE took no notice Of Sir Jasper
visitors. but bounded 90 the bed
holding out a telegram form On hi
trembling hand
Royal Command" be shoute'
cNcitod.y The Coal King o. Wind
fCrt"
Sir Jasper sat up bed. seized thl
form and ro1red;
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

HAS a dying man no rights?" he
whispered vaguely. Hugo. beg
YOU"
Once more silence fell. Then
Hugo began 10 speak. In silence ne
delivered his defence II was the
old story-an ambitious young man.
fired by initial success. hugely en-
ergetic, a little selfish. and a young
wife unused TO the realities OF life,
coming from home where her
least within had been law, where
money had ever been plentiful.
Il think fear" muttered Sir
Jasper. that the fault was mine"
He drew a long breath.
4 put of telling her let her
grow mp in ignorance OF the world
and life. / surrounded her with
pretty things ] was an old fool. an
old loving. doting fool. II seems 1
have wrecked her life"
1T wasn't your fault or mine, 3"
said Gabriel
Hugo gave a short laugh 81 am
the villain 81 the piece" ue oh.
served. sir Jasper. I've answered
your questions. ~ you've done with
me"
Tho villain OF the piece" said
Sir Jasper. els lying here. dyiug"
4 won't let you say that IT'S UNI
true horribly untrue you've been
kind. ever so kind always
yes" Hugo broke in. you've al
ways bcou that
Sir Jasper's hands acre moving.
Almost impcrceptibly hc drew ilugo's
band and Cabriara toward each
other.
"who's 90 fault thcne' he asked.
'ls 30 you. Gabriele Do 90 yo1.
hugo"
Neither answered HIm.
aDo you care for her no longer.
IIuzo7"
The doctor could not escape the
blunt question. Gabriel knows
care Tor her. he said iu frigid tones
And you. Gabriel2'
She did not reply. sir Jasper
smiled family.
"For twenty years Gabrers happi
ness has been my chief thought I've
plotted and planned. can see my
SELF walking home from the old
1sufher Arcade with toys under m,
arm. For twenty yoars' Sow. when
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

vously.
How are you?' returned Hugo.
adding hastily. Il was very upset
when ! got your message, Sir Jasper.
You seemed so well when we met
two DAYS ago. It's the
"Old complaint-the old heart.
Hugo lad said the actor. 1t won't
trouble me any more after this.
This Is the-curtain. It's been a
long piece-a fine drama filed with
much OF interest. much that was
grand and noble and good"
His eyes were closed and he was
mumbling Abruptly he checked
himself With an obvious effort he
opened his eyes.
Gabriel. twenty years ago
adopted you; for twenty years I've
loved you. DO those twenty years
give me any kind OF right to ask an
impairment question:"
NO question would be that from
you she answered softly.
Hugo. give me your hand"
The doctor slid his strong. lean
hand across the bed. The actors
Ions fingers closed round e.
Hugo. two years ago. when you
we're an unknown doctor without
practice or prospects. you came 70
me and asked me for Gabriel. /
didn't resist. put no obstacles In
your way. helped you in ever
way could. Isn't hat 80. Hugo
Rackham7"
That il 80" said Hugo gravcly
May ! ash an impairment ques
ton Of you. too?'
The young doctor nodded.
Then. what have you two quar-
relied about?' asked Sir Jaspet
biunfly
The eyes n the two young people
met across the bed fcetingly. Hug
vas frownIng and looking suspicious
There are some things canno
discuss even with you. Sir jasper.
returned Hugo ainly.
Perhaps Gabriel is more kind.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01
THE ACTOR by A. c. GREENWOOD

through It? Bosh' Bosh. sirl They
may pretend to"
Gabriel and Hugo were whirled In
silence from the house. As the car
hurried into Eaton Square Gabriel
said:
II was surprised. l thought
you'd be so angry"
AT his make believer" he said.
and turned 10 her with a sudden
gust Of laughter. Il knew. Direct
ly put my hand in his instructive
~ felt his pulse II was stronger and
steadier than it had ever been.
almost rounded on him. and then
-"
''Yes?' she said. and flushed as
he hesitated
Il entered into the plot be-
cause wanted you"
Their hands met and clasped be-
meath the rug.
But. Gabriel" he said suddenly.
you said I thought you'd be so
angry. Had he told your Did you
know did you guess?"
Gle confded in Dr. Harrow. in
case insisted on seeing him. Or.
Harrow told me the truth. lie knew
how terribly upset IA be"
"But. then. n you knew, why did
yol play 90 out2'
II think my reasons Just the
same a. yours" she said shyly
"Shall We tell him p" he asked
little later
She shook her head 1T would
disappoint and upset him awfully.
We mustn't let him know. Il shall
boz our own secret"
Tho late sir Jasper Ecclesden's
autobiography has just been pub.
Ishcd Dol the penulumafe chapter
is Ions description OF the episode
set ont above.
"I have never risen 20 such
heights before or since" sir Jasper
has written. 40 one could have
detected the sham And though one
OF the characters was land SEP q
doctor he will not. until he reads
'h.s book. have a eiimmering sus-
picion OF the trick I played upon
him"
In The interest of Dr Hugo Rack.
hsms professional reputation 81 IL
considered best to publish the truth.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

Clear the room! Clear the room,
Telephone to Toddington. Spear.
Wire Wick and Houghton. Gabriel,
my dear, d'you hear? Command per
formance Of the Coal King at Wind
scr. II there's one part see myself
in it's Old Nepcote in the Coal King
Lucky stars! Hi Spear. throw
me the cocoa butter."
Little Spear was standing gaping
at DR.. and Mrs. Rackham.
Didn't notice you-too excited 10
notice anybody" he stammered. and
then turned to Sir Jasper. Don't
stir" he baWled You know you
mustn't get up or excite yourself
You know you"
"Balderdash, Fiddlesticksi STUFF
and nonsense" roared Sir Jasper.
"The plays over. The curtains
down. Give me that cocoa-butter.
say and ct me get this muck on
my face
Little Spear threw the stick on TO
Sir Jaspers bed. The old man
reached for his dressing Jacket and
struggled into f.. Then he began TO
rub the stick over his hollow
checks.
Good makeup. ch2' be eX-
claimed. "Goodoy. you two. Run
away. my children. Don't be fools
any longer. You've played the fool
for six months, that's long enough
for anybody Go and De happy. I
Was half afraid ] wouldn't be able 10
hoodWink the lyn1-eyes Of Gabriels
affection rl7 Not T. I've never felt
better In my life but ! guessed 4
little sentiment might bring you two
dear little fools together again. Now
run away and abuse me thatll bring
you closer together still Don't stay
I'm busy"
With a cloth hc wiped away me
lest traces OF bis ashcn pallor. LIT
de Spear threw open the door. star
ms curlously into Hugo's face. AZ
Gabriel passed oI' be- glanced Of her
and started Closing the door after
them. be- shrugged bis shoulders
what's the maucrs' demanded
Sir Jasper testify
- believe they knew" said the
secretary.
Knew? Saw through it2" cried
TIE old actor derisiveiy Not they
40 one could have % was the finest
lJ 0f Hrt'rr I've ever dourf Saw
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

A CLOUD afTN7t appeared on
"A the skyline The corporal In
4 \ charge of he ambulance
came TO the zoo a the hospital
tsnt A Don,en' lster he dissp-
pesred. 20 return ain Win a pair
OF feld-glasse.. a accompanied BY
= trooper with &
What's upf' red the trooper.
Another IDIOT /. bullet through
his hide" srumhl the corporal. as
he took down tn Message that Was
being sirnaIied n "a q distant kop3e.
ANY answer exclaimed the
trooper.
"You must b. IN q confounded
hurry to vAg u.@, dirty bit OF dish
rag. Why cam y'u wait till J &c,
the whole mes ey" growled the
corporal as he gave a final flourish
with his pencil: then added; zone
ldlled-two wounded-send ambul-
ance.' All right; signal Orders re-
ceived. understood. and attended
to-"
rA. .ox.t,.
.d nt,n
go IN. .s,,...
tn. 49,
~ =. %. -.
s,.n,or, :, ~. go
:, -. -. 90. h.,n. -.,,,.a
- .,,,., IN, ., I'M.
"a atr..av .ho, his
-. ,-,eo
-, - eur. - 90, ,nero
-'1Aa''
..., s.,r,aa
=. .-.,,.x -,
at no.. A.,
..,,,d no h..ra order
- -. a. a. .r,o,,
- -. -. :, 800, r,nish
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

Pcrhars AZ might be the future Path
10 glory. bat that Of the Lad by his
eide might far more nkeiy lead TO the
graye What the boy had said about
orter.c and bullets vas true. and be.
Jones. had already had some luck
With a bullet
"toos here. Strange. do ycu think
you could sleep ~ ! got YOU a drink
o. grog'"
Its avfully sood 81 you to think
OF me Have you got some to
srares"
Yes"
Thanks awfully.-
V C-FOUR SYNDICATE
Jones went 90 where his saddle
lay and brought q back with him:
then. unstrapping the wallets. pro
duced a small Task
Here you are Strange. nnish this
and 20 70 sleep"
The boy took the flask and tasted
Il, then put IL down again.
why don't YOU drink
Its aNfully good Of YOU. Jones.
but somehow 10 seems 90 hurt me
inside. and What with sores and the
other things outside. don't think
could manage any pain inside"
Suddenly a wave Of compassion
swept over Jones. He remembered
how. as a youngster. he had been
tormented with sheep-ticks during
the shearing season-how he had
lain awake I'm the tropics. the prey
Of neas and mosquitoes. Then. nerv.
ing himself TO a final pitch OF hero
ism he exclaimed:
Look here. Strange. suppose we
change shirts?"
The boy stared in open mouthed
astonishment. but the temptation
was too great to resist, and some
thing suspiciously like tear gilt
tered in his eye as he replied:
u would never accept but for the
fact that ] haven't slept decently for
a week, and I think I've got the en-
teric"
Never mind the enteric. but whip
your shirt on"
Catching hold Of Strange. Jones
slipped on the dirty shirt, and then.
taking on his own shirt, he handed
IL over without a word.
Strange looked up. and. observing
Jones's bandaged chest. exclaimed:
so you did win the V. C.. in spite
OF what you said"
Rot At all events. I never
earned g."
well, you've earned II now" ex,
claimed the boy. as he dropped OF
20 sleep.
Half an hour later. Jones. tossing
restlessly in his blankets. realized
that he had earned the V. c.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

Jones wandered on In search OF the
cook.
Having bottled a hasty meal. he
proceeded. with his saddle for a pill
low. to lie down and sleep beneath
the stars
The Colonial Carbineers were not.
as a crops. much given TO sentiment.
and no one disturbed Jones 70 ask
him how he felt. or how pleased he
Vas al the prospect % obtaining the
V c; 80 Jones. shrouding himself In
his blanket. cared up al the stars
and did his best 20 sleep. But sleep
he could not. His wound itched ana
smarted I'm a way that had seemed
impossible before the camp had set
tied down. Now and again he sat up
and peered az the sleeping men as
they lay between the horse lines.
Farther down the line he observed
another figure seated Tie recognized
the face in the moonlight: Il was
that OF lad who only lately had
jolyed them. Seeing that he could
not sleep. Jones picked up his blan-
ket and walked down the lines 20
converse with the newcomer.
Come to keep me company" said
the boy
Yes; BAT why don't you go to
Sleep"
Cant" replied the lad
why can't you?"
We'll. 20 tell the truth, I'm itch.
ing all over"
You'll get used TO II IN time"
Never"
We'll. anyway. YOU won't get used
60 It by lying awake. Don't be a
fool. but take my advice and 20 "a
sleep-you can II you only try"
The boy nodded his curly head
and turned over on his side.
Jones wrapped his blanket round
him, and sat I'm the moonlight He
could not follow the advice he had
just given. although the corporal'i
tlfdn NAll udu HNNfu MIN itllnlTdF
lily from the same cause OF wakeful
ness.
He looked at the face Of the DO,
sleeping beside him. What girlisl
face 1t was, The thought made hin
sOliloquize. He thought OF various
girls he had met in the course Of hi
wandering career and WOndPre,
what they would say II he wer
awarded the V. {.
The night was frosty. and he dre'
the blanket round him for fear N
frost should get into his wound
What a strange world II was an
how oddly the changes in II wer
rung, That morning he. with all hi
ten years experience OF a wanderin
life, was just Trooper Jones. a mer
nonentity and a forgotten number {
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

C" he asked peevishiy.
"oh. nothing az all"
Yes. there IT, heard someone
say tha, man had won the Y. c.
You can't believe al you hear.
Why don't YOU go 20 sleep again"
Again Why. haven't been 20
sleep yet
~oh. indeed BY the way, young
ster. what's your namee"
Strange"
Cod name Tor Vou. 7 should
think. Why the deuce you keep
awake when you might sleep beats
me altogether.
What's your nsme7"
Jones"
why. you must he the man Who
earned the V. C. to-day"
Didn't earn IT,"
Well you won It, az all events"
You know a deuce OF lot for
man who never went out with the
squadron. Why didn't you 20 out
Then you might have had your in
formation FIRST hand"
Wei. you see. with my high TEN
psraturo. they thought l would be
best In camp"
oh You seem to be alarmed
about yourself"
We'll. am rather You see. we're
an old family. and I'm the only son.
and II would be a pity II died"
What on earth do you come out
here for. II you don't want to diet
That's what wars for"
Yes. but. you see. enterio is one
thing and bullets are another: and.
besides you see. we're a very old
family"
What tommy-rot Why. the
Joneses are about the oldest family
in the world. and yet you never hear
me talking about my old family. OF
about the difference between bullets
and enteric"
Well" replied the boy. with a
smile, If your family Is older than
ours, I'd like TO see your pedigree"
Pedigree, The surest guarantee
OF age as families go is the number
OF members OF family in existence:
and considering the number OF
Joneses and those OF various names
ir other nationalities which all stand
for Jones, reckon ours is the Oldest
family on earth"
There was look on the boys face
that reminded Jones OF several faces
he had seen before. whose owners
now claimed In Africa the only land
that they could ever own. Sympathy
for the boy made him forget his
wound, and the fact that he coulC
not sleep. He had had his slice o
luck. and he had apparently won thu
V. C.. even II he had not earned II
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

the mighty cosmopolitan army.
man whose previous record nobody
inquired into or cared about. To-
niEht he was looked upon as hero
by the whole squadron-not that any
Of them expressed that opinion. but
they all showed it-a hero because
he had picked up a man. who was
how dead. and carried him a hundred
yards or 50. under FIRE.
the boy At his side turned in his
sleep and muttered something about
home and beastly weld. Jones looked
at the boy. and then remembered
that he. at all events, kaaS rcthin,
about his winning a recommendation
for the Y. C.; for the lad had not
gone out that morning with the
squadron. but had been left behind.
too covered With weld sores 10 ne OF
any use.
Something there was about the boy
that reminded him OF his Own early
struggles. and his entry into that
ring known as the world Speedily
he reviewed the last ten years
Situation after situation flashed
through his brain. till suddenly he
realized that South Africa VAS but a
ripple on the sea - his experiences
Perhaps it was owing to his wound.
perhaps II was fatigue. but 10 his
weary brain Il seemed that some
great mistake must have been made.
Il was hardly possible that he could
have earned the V. G.. He compared
various events In which he had been
a prominent actor. and told himself
that he was a lucky dog
lie remembered how. when cruis
ing with a trader in the south Sea
Islands, he had jumped overheard
and rescued a man from among the
sharks: but neither he nor anyone
else had thought much about Il al
the time. lie called to mind how he
had ridden through a forest Of fire
10 save the family OF a settler who
was down country. and unaware OF
the peril OF his wife and children. He
recollected how. at imminent risk "a
himself. he had descended a badly
ventilated shaft to bring up a man
who had been overcome by noxious
gases.
He drew a pipe from his pocket
and ever. as he smoked. he thought
deeply.
At last he muttred TO himself
aloud: What rot to recommend m,
for the V c., | suppose III have {,
take II If they give 1t 10 me. but wha
is carrying a man a hundred yard
under fire compared TO a score o
things I've done and seen other
do?"
The lad az his side stirred IN
easily. What's that about the
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

turning on HIS heel. Sergeant Pat.
rick. see that another man IL told
or 70 rub down Trooper Jones's
horse"
Jones took his way to the hospital
tent His wound was a mere
scratch. and he could not see Why
the officer should make such a fuss.
II was all in a days work. he told
himself. and there was really no
reason Why someone else should be
told 10 clean his horse for him.
Halo. Jones'" exclaimed the cor
poral. land what have you been dom
to get daylight into your"
"Oh. nothing. Just a skin Craze;
nothing to make a fuss about"
We'll. or with that shirt and get
fixed up before my corpse arrives"
Jones began pulling his shir, OF.
then stopped. lie knew that he had
WINGED.
The corporals keen gray eyes shot
through him. Bit sticky, Lad, eh?"
Yes" replied Jones. family; you
might give me a hand"
The corporal produced a pair OF
scissors. and with a few deft ships
cut the shirt up the seam 10 ths
shoulder. Then. with the aid OF hot
water and a sponge. he peeled IL of
his patients ribs. We'll. you are IN
luck" he exclaimed.
"How's that?" replied Jones.
mot every man whose ribs can
defect a bullet" said the corporal.
While Jones was having his wound
dressed. a face appearea AZ the tent
door.
Halo. corporal; how's your pa
tient?"
"Oh. think he's all right, sir"
Good" and the officer went his
way.
Well you're in luck" exclaimed
the corporal mot often the captain
leaves his duty to inquire after a
man"
The tent door again opened. This
time II was the squadron sergeant
major.
Halo, JONES'" exclaimed tina
mighty man. with, for him. a mos
rare attempt at familiarity; ther
turning to the corporal. he added
You've got hold OF the right mai
this time"
What have you been up to-" eN
claimed the corporal. as the sci
geant-mAjor disappeared. Been an
made your will in favor of the squad
ROM"
BLESSED II know" replied Jones
Il couldn't see anything strang
about their behavior-at least. notl
ing worth mentioning"
Jones cast an anxious eve roun
the tent. Surgical dressings he coul
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

r<K TO. this slle. Gabriel. Pull
I'M your clair close. Give
y me YOU hand"
Sir Jasper Ecolesden lay back on
his pillows. his leaden eyelids flicker
Ing. BY the mesgre light OF the
shaded bedside lamp the chiselled
features Of the amous actor-man-
ager seemed ghasly white.
lie gripped Gabriel Rackhams
hand tightly. remained a moment
motionless and silent. then NUT.
tered:
You're early, ny dear"
Ten minutes early" she said.
IN, YOU mind?"
lie smiled.
Dave eve minded anything
that you have lone during all the
twenty years y,n've been a daugh-
ter 10 NEE"
He smiled saln fondly and an
svered his own question: Eyes. twice.
When you Eel in love with Hugo
ard when you married him. Who
canes7 her some one on tho
. Stiiss"
lis hngers 'bsed on hers like a
vic. The bedroom door opened and
Hi<o Rackhau came softly In.
FOR q monet. looking snxiously
- Sir Jasper. be- did not see his
Nss on the a. side Of the bed amid
tie shadow
cor six monils they had not met
sr Jasper slt Gabriers hand
stBen and va ed Hugo's start oI
sarprise
Kit down. Hugo." he said
~. Raekham hesitated.
sit down. I beg YOU said the
Old man. and is voice had Eon'
suddenly very y ak.
The young o. tor glanced a. hin
and obeyei
Sir Jasper M tered.
Don f5u q o say 'Good-day'-
! not even tat7
'Hov d you d p" said Gabriel nor
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-01

see In profusion. but his heart sank
al the sight of his tattered shirt.
The corporal saw the meaning OF
his glance as II rested on the filthy
garment. How are you on for
shir;sg" be exclaimed.
Its my last" replied Jones.
whats wrong with your spare
shirt
Threw II away
well. III be hanged 7 suppose
you expected 20 see shirts growing
on the veldg' exclaimed the cor
poral. with eontemptuous superiority.
NO. but it was too dirty 20 keep
any longer"
well. look here don't know
what you've been and done. but i've
one shirt LEFT over from the store.
and II you1l promise not TO say
where Il came from. I'll let you wear
IL till you get we'll"
''ril promise"
All right; but II you so much as
let on where you got II. you'll never
get anything else from me; so re-
member"
The corporal hustled on. and re-
turned a moment later with a brand.
new government Eray-back. into
which he assisted his patient. whom
he released a moment later. saying:
"On you go. now Here's my
corpse coming In. so | don't want "a
catch sight OF you before morning
As Jones left the tent he observed
the squadron paraded between the
horse lines. Hurriedly taking his
place in the ranks. he stood at ease
and waited for the word OF command
Having stood the squadron to at
tention. the officer proceeded TO have
the roll called.
This being done. the captain or
dered Trooper Jones TO step to th'
front; then. addressing the squadron
he told them that he had called ul
Trooper Jones I'm order that he nigh
lulOTm MIN OF now ne anu 10 nj
belief the whole squadron. appreci
ated the gallant conduct displayed
by Trooper Jones In rescuing Cor
poral Smith. since deceased. Will
wounded and exposed TO a heavy fire
adding that Il afforded him mucl
pleasure to state that a report O
his conduct would he forwarded Z
headquarters. accompanied by
strong recommendation for tn
V. G.
Jones, for the first time in his life
felt that he was in position fror
which there was no escape. Hurrie,
. ~ thanking the captain for his kline
= ness in mentioning HIS conduct.
confusedly took his place IN tn
! ranks. and again stood at after
q ton. The parade was dismissed. an