The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-03
A Deathbed
Injunction
It Was Fulfilled
D. z AlTT(hEI
By F. A. Mitchell

AA8 Ii HAduueIS. 4WO DTlI1Su OluCeTS
passed each other in rear of the
trenches. Both stopped and stared.
Upon my word," exclaimed one, 'if
was not sure had no brother l
would think you were my fathers own
son."
'The resemblance between us is re-
markable," replied the other.
"What's your name"
"Hethr1ngton."
'Where fromr'
Formerly from England; recently
from Canada"
Are you Ralph Hethrington, who
left his home In Hampshire some years
ago q runaway boyr
II am"
'.Then you are my COUSIN. am Alan
Hethrington."
"Heir to the barony of Medowcroftr r
"The same. Why did you run away
from home?"
1T was a case of stepmother."
Il see. l know all about your STEP
mother. She was a bad woman. But
why did you not write to your father?"
II was a mere boy when ran away,
and feared father would try to get
me back When grew older I thought
that since father had preferred his wife
to his son the son owed him nothing"
Your father and stepmother are
both dead"
That know. I was found in Amer
lea by the solicitor who had charge Of
the estate"
"You are very rich"
my wealth does me no good here"
Il am heir to title with nothing on
which to keep it up"
You may not need to keep 1t up
Only one out Of every three Of % will
get home"
The cousins parted with an agree
ment to look each other up. Indeed.
they met again that same evening.
"Are you going to write your folks
that you have met your runaway cousin
hereT Ralph asked Alan.
Alan cast quick glance at the ques-
toner.
why do you ask that question:"
II don't know"
Il haven't written yet Of meeting
you, and don't think I shall"
"Why not?"
II have something in my mind. But
l don't care to make 1t known to you
now. l may never make It known to
you. 1t is dependent upon a certain
contingency"
Ralph did not press the matter
Alan's tone was sad, and his cousin
surmised that the contingency referred
to was the death Of one or both of
them. Ralph lived for the present and
thought little of his own death, though
It was ever before him. He preferred
to talk with his cousin on other sub
Jects.
did you leave a girl behind your
he asked
"Yes; Lucy Arden
"You don't mean It! Why, Lucy and
l were great chums when we were
children. l used to tell her all about
my stepmother's treatment Of me.
Lucy was my only confidant and sym
pathizer."
"She is noble girl She should mar
ry a man more worthy Of her than
am
''Tut. tut! You're good enough for
any woman. My ideas of the sex, when
grown up, have been derived from my
stepmother. who was not attractive"
"Your stepmother was a devil Lucy
Arden is an angel. I infer from what
you say as to women that you did not
leave q Canadian sweetheart behind
you"
mo, did not. Perhaps II Is as well
II am killed no one will be hurt by
the loss"
You are right" Alan rejoined sadly
1T would be better If I were similarly
situated"
This was the last conversation held
between the cousins In state Of quiet
Soon after 1t was held the Germans
made one Of those vigorous attempts
to reach the coast which were attended
with great slaughter. and both young
men were wounded One morning
Ralph Hetherington woke up In ward
In hospital, and at the other end Of a
long line Of cots on the opposite side
Of the room he espied hh cousin Alan
was very pale. and Ralph was some
time In making out his identity.
nurse gave Ralph the information
that Alan was very badly wounded and
not likely to pull through. Ralph had
lost an arm. but was In no danger for
his life. He arose and went over to
pay his cousin a visit Alan looked up
at him with an unintelligible eager
ness.
Heaven must have sent you here"
he said to Ralph. you are all right
except for the loss OF that arm. sup
pose"
Yes; not scratched elsewhere
hope you will come out all right"
"No. | won't. I'm done for And
that's the reason why have been
wanting to see you. Everything works
for my plan"
What planT'