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About The Coos Bay times. (Marshfield, Or.) 1906-1957 | View Entire Issue (July 24, 1915)
i 1 w'h- TIf Illllg JAMS Of Lf aii Aivi ulJdULum-nma &. rich, ', ,. . 5;- I The Great Game - By Joe Busche VU!UDULM)i)LWULXXXXV r t Cf 1 I IUDAY evening was "fussing tlmo" tit Gales o o 1 1 a g o whore, with numo dozen other inn Ul cus, dwelt tlio ludy of Jack's dreams, and ou that one evening of ouch week theso maidens woro able, under hful eyo of the cottage pre to cntortuln bucIi young gon on met tlio approval of that Hj, oven to take short walks ( o campus nt seemly hours. ,"(, d up a good'gamo today Just j f 111 you for tho stingy llttlo -J.t stern-eyed old dragon nllowa was saying roftly ouo plcas- a- evening, as with Miss Vclnia .; lo slowly promonaded tho : botit the spacious grouuds of 1 go. i lanco of Miss Velum's hrown ti'B ample reward to Jaclc for ilm had evidently been a sac- 1 ' magnltudo, but her words, uc- ' led by a llttlo gurglo of delight, ' singly provocative. ' oubt the poor umpire was re- note tho absence of Captain I. By the way, would you meet tho lady umplro?" uld ay not!" returned Jack, K3ia beat "I wonder that you '.fr to have your name changed $go!ng to chango It after you k but before, I incau. I fet think there college autnorl- cild allow a gtrl that umpires cs to attend here. They're particular enough uthorwlse. t that you and I, who Lave ach other for bo long, nro not to visit except with a chap- o that old warrior, protcnumg jvhllo sho listens wheu I try to how nice" T ... 1 ,-.. II.- - r jacK, rciuoiiDiruiim mu hii ...i the dlspleaauro In her tone ' as aovoro as her wordj. "I. nTvojio go In at onco If you talk 'r. You know the rules quite "'d besides, Miss Mnyuo Is nl V ask uo what our friends talk 1T itlflcd tho very mascullno ro ;'&t roso In his throat. "Tho "'it. Juat becauso tho president I r full control over ou girls! -.hough, thero'a nothing to pro " talking about tlio inntior of toe name changing. That Idea appeals to mo poworfully. Suppose wo don't wait until you graduate. Then our tiuniii would not ho tho oarao as that of tho man-girl from hero that docs tho umpiring Btuuts." The girl laughed and Ignored the personal part of his plea. "Jack, you aro not fair. This other Miss Davis Is no alder Ihnn I, Just as pretty, and Jutit bh foolishly fond of good times with our crowd nnd Just us ladyllko. too," sho raid defiantly. "You and a few of tho others know that tho money sho receives for umpiring ball games koch to pay her way horc, and also to hflp a younger sister to sccuro a mu sical education." "Cven at that I would prefer that sisters of mine hod no collego educa tion. If tho money had to be earned In such a manner," said Jack stubbornly. "Tell hip, havo you over heard anv ono say that this friend of mino dlil not conduct herself as a lady and maintain perfect discipline on tho ball field: bolter order than most of tho men umpires? Did you ever hear any ono question tho honesty or fairness of her decisions?" "No," admitted tho young roan, slowly. "But It's tho Idea of tho thing. Don't think of her as ladylike as you are, dear. Who would ever think of a jtlrl llko you out In tho cen ter of a baseball diamond with n bunch of crazy Indians. Yes. that's what wo all arc. when a garao gets close. And then tho bleachers with a generous sprinkling of half-lnloxlent-rtl toughs. I can't even Imngluo It." ho concluded nnvncely. "I havo heard that you uio known us 'Baiter' Sturgeon, becauso you harass tho poor umpires so," said tho girl, softly. "How would ou treat tho other Miss Davis if sho wero um piring ono of your games?" "Just as I would a man," ho grluucd. "I wouldn't actually cwear at her, call her names, or strike her I don't any umpire but I should question Jint as emphatically uny decision that looked doubtful, and In tho mannor that has won mo that namo you find ro mous ing. Ych, I'll promise Miss Davis an Interesting two hours If sho over drifts Into our slato and umpires for my Coyotes. But nbout that namo chang ing. Vclma, dear?" Tho rest of tho conversation was distinctly personal, and when Jark said good-by a. llttlo later at tho door of tho cottage, whllo tho dragon watch ed from tho hammock, ho had entirely forgotten tho matter of tho other Miss Davis and hor ability as an umpire. Tlmo wont on, tho vacation season came, and Jack no longer enjoyed tho visits to the collego town. Miss Vel wa had told him that ho might como to visit her at hor homo beforo tho term opened again, but that for soino tlmo sho would bo very busy, too busy even to Islt with him. Tho Spencervlllo Coyotes woro known as tho most Bklllful, hard-hitting, fast-running, nnd Incidentally tho scrappiest of all tho amateur teams of that state. Fans gavo tho credit for much of tho Coyotes' suc cess to Captain Jack Sturgeon, whoso snappy nnd aggressive play at second hnse and equally snappy nnd more belligerent methods with tho gentle men hired to umplro tho games of that section woro tho gossip of tho towns In which tho Spencervlllo team per formed. Thero wero somo few, and of course they wero not Spencervlllo fans, who argued that the young man was Just a trifle too fond of ragging at tho um pirethat such things were out or place In an nmateur came. Ho that as It may, Jack was a whole souled, clean-hearted fellow, and If ho had a weakness In tho world tt was In believing that ho lacked only an op portunity to lead to victory some fa mous team of battling, defeat-defying diamond heroes. All ouch leaders had been umplro challengers, therefore H was necessary for hhn to llvo up to tho character. "Now, wo would havo had uo story had not ono of tho umpires, to whoso decisions Jack had taken exceptions, become unduly oxclted and thereupon made himself n mark for tho Spcncor vllle fans, whoso chief delight, next to tho badgering of a visiting pitcher, was, In baseball slang, "getting tho umpire's angorn." It has been observ ed that this Is a characteristic of homctowu fans, even in tho highest baseball circles. This umplro ono day visited n gamo In n town eoino hundred miles away. Quito by accident ho became acquaint ed with a young lady who had also attended collego nnd lived at Gales cottage. IIo canio homo vory thought ful, and later visited tho manager of tho Horseshoes, tho Coyotes' strongest rivals. A few days later camo a challengo from tho Horseshoes, and with tho let tor was a draft for tlvo hundred dol lars, us an Incidental stdo bet The conditions named the Horseshoo grounds, aud stated that the home team would provldo tho umpire, sub ject to removal If too sharply criti cised by Captain Sturgeon nt any tlmo during tho gamo. To tho Coyotes It was plnln that tho Horseshoes had unearthed some phe nomenon to rcplaco their regular pltchor, "Rollablo" Jones. Tho Coy otes wero confident that thero was no ono outsldo tho leagues that could hold down their own Invinclhlo lilt getters, and with a season's victories behind them would have taken a c banco at ono of tho "blgfollows." Tho challenge was enthusiastically ac cepted, and considerably more than flvo hundred was posted by members , i, t.wo teams nlld tl10 luynl fans f tho rival towns. swl'i.0" m d.ay of tho &"no ratlin Znu ?cei".vUl?L becamo tho "deserted village." The inhabitants moved to uto homo of tho Horseshoes. Tho practice was over and tho teams vicro rcadv for tho fray. "Where's that umplro of yours?" Jack asked tho Horseshoes' captatu. "Coming now," grunted tho other. Over tho packed stands and bleach ers a bush had fallen, and all wero watching the slender, girlish fluiro which slowly ndianccd to tho homo plate. Sho was clad In a closo-fUting sweater, vlsorcd cap. and beneath her short skirt thero showed serviceable, spiked shoes. Thero wan something ory decided and businesslike obout tho young lady, nnd tho crowd won dered. Then suddenly tho hush was broken by u shrill boyish voico from high lu tho stand. "The lady empire! Tho lady cniplrol Whero's the Baiter?" From Jack's lips there cam a growl and boiuo rather emphatic words. "Don't think you aro going to get us by a deal llko this," ho snapped at tho other captain. "I'll seo that you havo reason to rcmovo your umplro, nil right. Itomembor that provision of tho contract, don't you?" Thoro was anger, disgust, and nvcr slou In tho very swine of Sturgeon's big shoulders as ho turned to fcrcct tho lady official. "Miss D.ivls. our umpire," said Powers, formally. Miss Davis acknowledged the intro duction and inlsed her enp sllghtb, and for the Urst tlmo Jark saw her face plainly. What his faco and at titude had expressed beforo was noth ing to what the watchers saw then, und far up In tho bleachers ono man smiled a saturnine smllo nnd figura tively hugged himself. n8 , ejaculated In the language of tho day, "She's his goat-gcttor." Miss Davis lndeedl Under the v sored cap Jnck saw tho face of his col lege sweetheart In all Us dainty, piquant beauty. The brown eyes met his bravely, but In their dep lis was an expression or doubt and fright and uomcthluR very llko sorrow. Sturgeon struggled for wort". Bit ter, challenging wordstrlcd to force their way to his lips. Surely Miiwm not his Vclma. the i gentle girl. .whose oulet. almost nun-llkc wnjs wero iue delight of his forceful, belligerent na- "ilo would Ignoro her then and for ever more. They would bo tramc.ra. With a courtly bow ho raised his hat, and as Miss Davis met the cold gaza of his black eyes her friendly smllo vanished, and In a manner as i cold and distant as his own. sho discussed tho necessary ground Jles, and thonw ith tho partisan crowds of the two owns each doing Us best to outshout tho othor. tho gamo was on. Flvo Innings of tho garao rolled by with no scores. Not only was tho work of tho two teams faultless; that or tho girl umpire was beyond ques tion. Fleet of foot and quick of eye. no play passed unseen, and sho seemed to skim fiom her stntion bohlnd tho pitcher to baaeo where close play camo up. Captain Sturgeon was not, however. In the habit of waiting for question able decisions. It was a part of his policy to consider everything ques tionable that did not favor his tram. His favorite beginning for u demon stration of his opinion of tho umplro was to throw his cap high In tho air and then mndly trnmplo tt. In tho last half of the third thoro bad been a very closo play at first, whoro ho was coaching. With a roar tho Baiter throw his cap high. "Did you ever seo such?" No one knows - what unseemly words wero stifled In his throat as his eyes camo to the level of the diamond and ho saw tho dainty flguro In tho black aweatcr "Did you ever seo such poor run ning?" ho ended weakly, and tho ma nor glared. Ho was tho fastest man on bases In the Coyoto contingent. Then that portion of tho stands pop ulated by tho Horseshoo partlcans rocked as they took up In full chorus the cry of tho shrlll-volced small boy, whoso shout roso abovo tho tumult. "Tho Jedy cmplro lias got tho Halt er's goat Got his goat." The Spencervlllo crowd wero silent. They could not Just understand why tho presence or tho lady umplro had so complotoly subdued their Idol. How ever, thoy wero not prepared lo of fend tho dignity of tho llttlo lady, whoso work, oven to their prejudiced eyes, seemed vory ef flclent They con fined themselves to loyal rooting for the players, and this seemed to bo qulto enough, for In tho eighth tho tojotcs scored twice. Then. In tho first of the ninth. Jack emerged from a cloud of dust and tho confusion of a collision with a sliding liorscsnolte, nnd heard tho lady um plro saying calmly, "Safe." The other player had twisted his ankle, und as they waited for tho sub stltuto. Captain Jack stopped close. "Not even content with making us the talk of the country, aro you?' ho asked sullonly. "How much nro tho Horseshoes paying you for tho closo ouch llko that?" Ho'could havo killed himself for the bitter, cruel, nnd senseless woids a second after. It was not tho ica' Jack that spoke, but a tortured, un happy boy. whom tho rooting of tho stands had driven half out of his senses, not so much on his own ac count as on hern. Of course, aho wbb nothing to him any longer, buU-then, too, through his mind wan running tho question: Had sho known of tho deal put up by tho Horseshoes when sho consented to umplro tho gamo? Two glaring errors on tho part of tho Coyotes' second baseman, nnd tho HorscsbocB had tied tho score. Tho visiting team camo to bat, determined to win then and there, for it was a tradition that tho Coyotes noldom won an extra inning game. Sturgeon was fourth batter. Ono utnu was on the tunes, two had been Btruek out. Setting his teeth tho Coy oto captain iciitcd all his Havnge, seething nngoi against lOmself, Mm lady umpire, and the whole world, la ono Bwlng of tho big bat Tho bat und ball connected, nnd tho nwlftly pitched sphere traveled, back ou ti lino and with tho speed of n bul let. Tho pltchor ducked, mnklng no effoit to stop tho ball, and thon Jack, watching as ha dashed for first, saw the bravo llttlo flguro behind the pitch er suddenly crumplo and Ho still In n heap In tho, contor of tho diamond. With a groan Sturgeon uwung nnldo, nnd In a flash had reached and gath ered tho form of tho lady umplro In his arms. Hcedlcbs of tho big crowd that In stantly bpgan to swarm to tho dia mond, tho young follow hold Mio girl close, kissing tho whlto faco and bog ging for Just ono word of forgiveness. Ho had uo thought but that sho would die, or was already dead. Tho crush ed cap visor showed where tho ball had struck, and only Sturgeon know haw hard that ball had been hit. Ho never knew how his "flghtlnK ulno" held back tho frenzied, sensa-tlon-scoklng crowd and forced a wny for tho doctor, but somo tlmo later Mio sun bogan to shlno again, nnd tho sights and sounds of Mils world again penetrated his ears. Sho would live, tho doctor said. That wan nil that mattered. Sho might umplro ball games; oven reforee prizefights. If sho wished. Just so sho lived and forgavo him. Tho garao was won by tho Coyotco, but neither tho captain nor uraplrn took further part. Sitting besldo hor In tho hospital, Jack heard tho pitiful llttlo story of tho sickness and mln fortuno Miot made it necessary for tlio children of tho Davln homo to mako their own way through collego. Sho had tried to keep tho Bccrct from him uutll tho closo of tho season, whon nho Intondod to ceaso umpiring forovor. Not until Bho came on tho ground had nho known with whom tho Horseshoca woro really playing. Mrs. Jack Sturgeon often watchen hor husband play ball, and smtien quietly no sho hears tho "fans" won dering at tho mild, almost ladyllko manner in which tho Coyoto captain voices any complaints ho may lmo to mako to tho umpire. lit t ' ' - -V "5 at c , ' la, naswiFerv;. "CnrJ2.'ZZW ping The Note By Walt Gregg. .( if A8EMBNT bad Just concludod tho read Ins of his play up on tho husky and emotional nolo bo flttlng u young dramatist whon Ooorgctto St. Qcorgo lose, caus ing nn caithquako - to flguro m tuo ro of Uio spaniel on her skirt, (tiado a memorable flguio, clad 'i h freshly risen from a bath of ki a mysterious saffion powder naco to match, as with ono hand Vj a handkerchief to her Mack . d with tho othor blindly sought jlder of Sheridan Casement ter It v t be afraid that your play s not lA'.l and enormous," Bald tho U young tragedleuuo of tho age. ..not." eald Shorldan Casemeut N don't be afraid that 1 shan't , or chango my mind about It, '. never was llko that," contln ,ia St. Gcorgo, who, slnco she jwn Mr. Casemont for throo 'id a half, had uuld acquaiu trlght to call him "dear." ' would that look lu black and I Casement suggested amusing- mind can't grasp things till 1 'Vritteu out I always wao llko e- l,ia some Infants would seem to 1 consUtutlonal terror of tho 'ftilss St Georgo bad an tustlnc "' r of anything In black and ii whlto. She disregarded Mr. Caso mont'n observation. "You havo tokou it out of me ter ribly," sho went on. "I shall have to tako my tomporaturo como to his mother, Dinky darling! Yes; I am ab solutely shaken and broken shaken' sho clenched ono flst and threw It out ward with n swimming stroke "to tho very depths of my belngl" "I cau stick your being broken nnd shaken," ho said, chuckling, "so long as your faith lu tho play's not shaken and jour prlmlsu to play it's not broken." And, almost Insensibly, be sllchUy moved tho lukstaud ou tho tablo Wicro his elbow rested In Mio dlicctlon of Georgette St. Gcorgo. "Promises!" sho seemed cut to tho heart by bis blunt speech. "I'rom Isen between you aud mo!" sho said. "The ouly question Is, Mr. Casement Is this a man's or a woman's play?" A maid appeared with Mia tea-tray nnd a registered parcel. Miss St. George's powers of rccuperntlou wero so remarkablo that hor shaken system milled Instantly at sight of the seal ed packet, and Sheridan Casement, scenting an Interrupted trail, had to "Hud himself" in tea. "Pretty, aren't thoy?" said Miss St. Gcorgo In a flaccid voice, aftor a long and rustling exploration among many papers, aud, as sho hold out an ora eiald uecklot aud a pair of earrings, a card dropped out of their case on to tho floor. "What right has be to send you emeralds?" be said harshly and sud denly, aud ho pointed a finger at tho card. "Uvcry right!" answered Miss St. Georgo. fastening tho necklet ubout Dlnky's throat "Let's try tho car llngs on tho Dinky-dog!" "You will plcaso to toll mo what that means," Sheridan Casement do 'inanded. "It moans that I nra going to mar ry tho Hon. Stephcu DrasBiuorol" said Gcorgctto St George, screwing tho emerald earlngs onto tho flaps of tho dog's cars. "He's n dear, dollgbtful boy, but bo's not got my Dlnky's ex qulslto whlto soul!" "Suroly you must havo seen?" he breathed. "Seon what?" sho repeated. "A mau's disinterested devotion," Casemont whispered. "Seen, dcarlo." oho said. "How could I see? You uovor sent me any dogs or emeralds!" "Georgetto, Georgette!" he au Bwcrcd. "Shall I ever succeed In teaching you that thero aro othor ways of showing love such as a deop, en during silence than cnfoldlug you In a pcrpotual ntiuosphoro of caramels, camellias, and Dinky-dogs! . . , You know," ho went on still lu that low voico, "that but for you that play had never beon conceived! You know that but for you my llfo hud been well nigh Insupportable." By tho slow nod or her head, at last bho conceded that her soul suspected It. "Hefuse me," Sheridan Casemont said, "and you seal the doom of the child of my brain. It shall never soo tho clcctrlo light. For none but your uelf shall play my play. But caucol your engagement with this . . . man" "Cancel my engagement with tho Hon. Stephen Brnssmoro becnusn of you!" she said, striving apparently to loosen tho collar of hor dress. "O, this Is Insupportablo! This Is now paBt n Jest!" "It has never boon a Jest!" Ho turn ed to tho door, then turned back. "You shall have your cholco!" ho said. "I glvo you till 8 tonight. Tuke mo nnd you havo my play; our fates sro link ed togother I and my piny are ouo. Beject me, fall mo by 8 tonight, nnd I shall havo flung my llfo back to tho gods who thrust It on me against my will. And my play shall perish with me." Quctly bo went out of tho room, quietly sho heard him go downstairs, n3 quietly lca tho house. At this juncture tho door opened and Miss Honoy Attwlll, compuulon, goosoberry, paragraph-puffer, prlvato boomer and professional adorer to Miss St. George, camo breathlessly Into tho room with Mabbolt, tho maid, In tow. "Honoy, tako my tcmporaturel" Miss Attwlll produced a clinical thermometer from her bag und rushed ut Miss St. George. "Mabbctt look!" sho called, putting tho thormometcr bonealh Miss St. George's arm aud withdrawing It agulu at onco. "It's rUuslderably abovo tbo normal, isn't it?" Miss Attwlll slapped the sofa. "It's the play Mint's dono It!" she said. "No, It was tho man! Ho has dared to threaton to destroy himself and his tragedy by 8 tonight unless I cancel my ongagomont with" "This makes Mio fourth that's threat ened," Mabbctt bogan. "Fifth," you mean," corrected Hon ey. Thon, "Gcorglol" sho screamed suddenly. "You'vo paled tho most cx tinordluary pallor! I must show you yourself In tho glass! You couldn't no, of courso, you couldn't do It ngalnl " "Let me seo!" said Miss St George, hurrying to a mirror. "I wondor how I did It! Ah that's exactly what I want for tho new play!" "Nothing roust stop your playing In III" declared Miss Attwlll. "You mustn't glvo him the cbanco to tako his life bcfoio ho's revisod Mio play for you!" "Tho play tbo play!" exclaimed Miss St Gcorgo In superb disdain, "nnd do you think I'm thinking of tbo play!" "My darling child, I know you'ro not," Miss Attwlll answered. "All the sarao, though I know It's no comfort to you, If ho docs put un end to himself, no fear he'll keep a copy of tbo play!" "No-w, on-wl" said Mabbctt In con temptuous dissent. "I know thero! they're that mean ho'll destroy tho play to spite 'or for not 'avln' 'Itnl" Miss St. Geoige stopped short In her pacing and flung out her arms, and as she did so, Mabbctt solzed ono of thom and Honey Attwlll tho other. "One Miing I will not have I" she cried. "And that's an Innocent man's blood on my headt Dou't put It into my head that I shall novor see that fresh young llfo again!" "But you'ro not going to give tho Honorablo Stophon Brassmoro up for him!" Miss Attwlll cried. MIsb St. Gcorgo was already scrib bling something on a slip of paper. "Mabbott, toll Tlckorlng to ring up tho District Mcsscngors'," she said, "and whon the boy nrrivea toll blra to tako this to tbo Honorablo Stephen Brnssmoro'B flat with Mm leant possi ble delay! Aud Mabbott tho correct tlmo, plcaso!" "Off, Miss St. Georgo: At 8 'o 'd do It, did you say? It's five mluutes to, now! That's If the kltcheu clock'? not wrong!" Taxi! . . , Three sovereigns If he gets ub thoro lu tlmo I" sho stam mered. "Darling you're forgettlug your bark-curls;" Miss Attwlll screamed. "How cau I think of appearances." said Miss St Gcorgo. removing tho saf fron powder from her fuco with ono sfllpo aud applying cbalk-whlto pow der with another, "when It's a matter of llfo and donth?" Tho gold was paid thoy hurried to tbo lift Insido tho Manslon'u hall. It seemed to Jerk them with ono Jerk to Sheridan Casement's door. The door stood ajar and In tho crack a mllk-measuro was set. As they stopped Inside, tho sound of ex cited voices caught their cars. "Owl -Uioy'vo found 'JmJ It's tho inkweair luauueu cucci. Tho clock strucy 8. Suddenly tuoro was tho eound of a loud, oxploslvo pop. "It'H gouo oOT' said Miss Attwlfl. With that they oponcd tho door front which tho volcos camo uiid hid be hind It In a row. Thon through Mm open door thero sounded tho flzzlo of champugno pour ed luto tumblors thoro camo tho Joy ous clattorlng of platos, tho dollcuto scout of early salmon nnd of hot houso llowors. Miss Attwlll wna stopping forward, when Georgetto St. Georgo stayed hop with a hand. Ouo prophotlo shlvor. nnd Georgetto had recognized lu that liquid elocution tho voico that drenched tho provlncoii in tears tho accents of tho leadlug young tradsdlaa of tbo ugo. "Thoro's only ono thing, old man," tho notorious voico went on; "U'n prodigiously poworful, amazingly unique but Is MiIb play a womau'a play or a inun's?" "Good hoavons, mau." sounded tho loproachful tones of Sheildan Case ment's voice, "nnd you cau ask mn thutl I wioto that play for youl No single, living Haul cau, or shall play that play but youl" Whlto to tho llpn, and nlmoHt voice, less from emotion. Georgetto St. George put out all hor strength nnd drovo Miss Attwlll with hor two handu Into tho wuitlng ltft "Taxi! . . . quick . . . Hou oy, my ertnlno coat," sho gospad, "1C you get to BrasBuioro's flat In tlmo to stop my note:1 mammamm&mssam&& sKSSfflsLES A Day Of Triumph By Will Seaton 1 V ' I . T was the night be fore Memorial Day. As the twilight shadows enveloped her gray cottage. Susan Carey came out aud walked slowly away through the dusky veil, toward the Asheroft cemetery. y srauoa ot women had pass- , rias owm to place ou tho ,H ttajr soWUr dead; men who ,a tiuilr live for their coun- m. 8h'was carrying flowers, John's p. But she always tf'M. jM wfeftn evening shad r. - r -.'... , j,.. fa ir, VBHBPH . .- long ago covertly branded her dead husband as a coward, a mau false to his country's flag! Someone, while helping to prepare his poor scarred body for burial, bad discovered what her keen eyes bad already seen that the bullet which had stilled bis heart bad found its mark through the back of bis coat; and the ugly rumor bad spread and spread till the whole vil lage knew that John Carey bad died with his back to the foel Tho memory of the sidelong, pity ing glances of the women and the grim silence of the men whenever John's name was spoken now scourged her bleeding heart afresh as under the burden of her 70 years she mads ber slow way to his lonely grave. Kneel- J with the flowers from her tiny gar den, ber hot tears falling on each blos som, ber loving voice murmuring an undying faith In the honor of the sleeper lying beneath the heavy fra grance of lilac and honeysuckle. At least, weakened by emotion, she rose to her feet As jshe turned Into tho homeward paMi, she saw a strang er old and gray, yet a man of sol dierly bearing poerlng nearsightedly at the moss-grown stones around. Aa she stepped aside to let him pass, he raised bis bat with a courteous; "Madam, I am searching for the grave of John Carey. Can you tell ue where It Is?" Her lips tightened; her knotted hands clenched beneath her ehiw). the coward's graTe, whosa story had doubtless been told htm at the vllUro Inn she thought bitterly! In silence sho pointed at the flower heaped mound sho had just left, then turned to go: but he stopped her wlMi an outstietchcd hand. "Pardon me but I have tho honor to deliver tho address at tomorrow's exercises here," ho explained, "and I'm especially airxlous to find the grave of my old comrade--John Cnrey and If you will help me" He paus ed, perplexed by her unfriendly atti tude; then said: "But perhaps tbls may be another John Carey the name Is not uncommon," He stooped to read the Inscription. She breathlessly watched his tracing his head. "He was my husband!" Hie fsce lighted up he caught htr thaking bands In his. But before he could speak, she wrenched herself free In a frenzy of thankfulness, and dropped to her kuces beside the grave her body racked by the pitiful sobs of the old, as sho cried. "Oh, John, John It has como, deaTj Your Indication has como! Say It again" sho entreated, looking up at the man beside her. "please say.lt again Miat he was brave bravel" "He was bravery Itself I" ho answer ed solemnly. "But" lifting her to her fee. "I hardly understand surely, no ods ever questioned the bravery of John Carey?" she shuddtred. "A coward?" he Miundered, "Am why?" "Because he he was shot la the backl" "Oh, the foolBl" raged the old sol dier. "Of courso he was for ho turn ed to drag me from tho onslaught of tramping feet, wheu I was shot down just behind him!" She drow away from htm "Don't look at me like that I 1 camo here to And you aB soou as I u 33 dis charged; but you bad gone, and I got the impression Miat you, too, were dead." "Ts, 1 wanted everyone to think that; ao I went away, leaving no cius, grave drew me bark to the old home." Frank Grafton's eyes grew misty. Then Mie old vav-tlme spirit cleared their steely dcpMis, and squared hi a broad shoulders. "Mis Cait llatan!" he said eageily "Tomorrow 1 shall tell the people of Ashcioft a stor) ; the story ot the man who gavo hla life for raluo und his name shall be freed troni Ibis monstrous charge' It shall bo a dav of tuuu'ph for ou'" ' A dav of triumph Indeed! For whpu. thr next uvimnfc they went to escort her to tho hall they found her with her worn Bible In her lap a smllo of oweet content on her pale face aud ci wrinkled band resting on tho blc&i'Hl message of ber Master. i i ! .i i t w II 1 of ,r !,. rodfi.mM i i-r