Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-08-30
A Deathbed
In, !, junction
1T Was Fulfilled
BY F. A., mitchell

ing in Flanders. Two British officers
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.
whats your namer
"Hethrington."
"Where from?"
Formerly from England; recently
from Canada"
Are you Ralph Hethrington, who
left his home in Hampshire some years
ago a runaway boy?"
II am"
"Then you are my COUSIN. am Alan
Hethrington.'
"Heir to the barony of MedowcroftT p
"The same. Why did you run away
from homer"
1T was case of stepmother''
Il see. l know all about your STEP
mother. She was bad woman. But
why did you not write to your father?"
Il was mere boy when ran away,
and l feared father would try to get
me back. When grew older thought
that since father had preferred his wife
to his son the son owed him nothing"
"Your father and stepmother are
both dead"
''That l know. l was found in Amer
100 nv, IN ho oIo q
the estate"
You are very rich"
A'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 it up.
Only one out of every three of us 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
here? Ralph asked Alan
Alan cast quick giance at the ql!cs
tioner.
'Why do you ask that question:"
II don't know"
II haven't written yet OF meetpG
you, and don't think I shall"
"Why not?"
81 have something in my mind. Bit
I don't care to make it known to YOU
now. l may never make it known to
you. 1t is dependent upon 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 you?"
he asked,
Eyes; Lucy Arden"
E'You don't mean it! Why, Lucy and
I 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 l
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 devil. Lucy
Arden is an angel. l infer from what
you say as to women that you did not
leave a Canadian sweetheart behind
you"
"No, did not. Perhaps it is as well.
If am killed no one will be hurt by
the loss"
"You are right" Alan rejoined sadly.
-'It would be better if I were similarly
situated"
This was the last conversation held
Soon after it 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 a ward
N a hospital, and at the other end of 8
long line Of cots ON the opposite side
of the room he espied his cousin. Alan
was very pale, and Ralph was some
time in making out his identity.
A 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 visit. Alan looked up
at him with an unintelligible eager
ness.
Heaven must have sent you here"
ne said to Ralph. You are all right
except for the loss of that arm, sup
pose
@'Yes: not scratched elsewhere. 1
nope you viii 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"