The Storyteller.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7868, 10 July 1905, Page 4

The Storyteller.

WINNING A BRIDE AND A .V.C. CHAPTER I. A COMMON SOLDIER. Von Berry, the proudest girl in a soldier ! You, that turn up your nose at a schoolmaster and * bailifl !" "She can't help turning up her nose, it's made so; indeed, 1 believe it's jut that perky nose of tiers which attracts sweethearts. We men arc such fools, aren't we, Berry ?" The speakers were Barbara Roscb parents. Her father was gardener to Mi Thorn, ot Elmsligh Court, and lived in a pretty cottage under a sloping wood at the edge ol the park. "There, child," the father continued, 'it's no joking matter. You can't mean to give the go-by to a] steady man with a good place like Sandy Mclvie, and lake up with a kprinp-heeled chap of a soldier." It was a lovely July evening and Barbara stood at the cottage door, looking down the little garden to the soft slope of the park, across which the trees cast long l shadows. She was a graceful girl, with a charming face made up of contrasts. She ha<l dark, laughing eyes, a wide, serious hrow, fringed, not hidden, by rings of chestnut hair, a mouth refined, but tender, a nose 'tiptiltcd like the petal of a flower,' and a changing, delicate complexion. "When I was bent on being a schoolmistress," she said, turning to her parents, "you gave in to wc because you said I had a right to choose my own trade, and haven't I as gn.xl a right to choose my own husband ?"

"Jlui a soldier. Berry!.—a common soldn r !" urged the moUier. "I'm ashamed to see you walking with a rcd-eoat."

''And 1 am proudiof it," retorted liarhara. "At Icast-at least, if 1

am inii I ought to be, when it's the sign of a noble profession." "Oli. Berry, I've no patience with you'" lamented her mother. "To throw yourself away—you, with your looks ' Why even Captain Thorn's got eyes for no girl but you. ami—" "C.iptain Thorn can keep his eyes for them that like them , I don't ! But there goes six o'clock, and I am ilue at the school "

Hereupon Barbara set out across the park for the schoolhouse. She had nearly reached it. when she encoun'ered a young man strolling idly alon.-. He was an ordinary-looking individual, and only of medium height : but neither his lounging walk-nur civilian dress could hide his mill; try bearing. "flood evening, Miss Berry V said lie, doffing his cap, and stopping shop j "<< "id evening, Captain !" she said and >assed on. "f'»ing to your studies, as usual?" said lie. hurrying after her. "A stroll would he more agreeable now." "Tiere is an examination in prosperl ' she returned shortly. "Goodevet.mg !" "A snub as usual," said Ihe young man. looking after the retreating figure, "f have my magnificent scr-p-ani to thank for the sensation, there's ao doubt of that."

OHAPTKR H. CALLKD TO DUTY. A few evenings later Barbara stood at Hie edge of the wood with her lover, within view of her home. She was ton proud to attempt any sesrpcy, though now, indeed, her parents wouH hardly intervene, since Dick's regiment had' been ordered out ;o Gibraltar, whence there seemed no doubt it would proceed to Egypt.

Seeing Dick Maple, nobody except hrr parents would wonder at Barbara's choice. He was. as Captain Thorn grudgingly allowed, a splendid fellow—tall, well-built, athletic. His shapely head showed mental power, his elear complexion and eyes temperate ' "Yes, Berry," he was saying, "there will be action, and I mean 1o win my commission. Then your father and mother will not despise me so much. Poor Tommy Atkins ! lie's not always a desirable son-in-law, but when he becomes a lientenant " "f>h, Dick ! " she interrupted. "I don't care or think about the promotion. It is the danger, the horrid climate, the chance of your being shot " She shuddered, and leaned her face upoi. his shoulder with the first voluntary caress she had ever bestowed on him, for she was a standoffish little person. The sound of footsteps made Barbara start back. A man issued from the wood. It was Captain Thorn. "Well, Maple," he laid, stiffly, as Dick saluted him, "we two arc in the same boat—or shall be to-mor-row night, I soppose.'' "Yes, sir. And do you think We shall fight 7"

"No doubt of it; ko we may both pel our chance. 1 '

Hi- said this with something like a snn r, and thfn, taming to Barbara, oflrred bis hand, which she felt compelled to take.

"'lood-bye,'' ho said, with open admiration in his eyes. "Neither Maple nor I can hope r t set so beautiful a face until our return."

"V.hat he said is true enough," murmured Dick, looking after the repeating Captain. "But be has no htfi to slay it,' norjhfclft *t no» so."

R Barbara. "So w he speaks •. I can't bear under him." CAPTAIN. Ii of country no/. Canal and roken only bv lifts of scrub ood of Tel-.'l-ps ha\c biv(he Hri:Ui rady !" and e as charactpast, and in ioldiers prov- . of tin- o|ii mishes Dick rous l/uuiy, mt'iit infii-d 41 iperior officii aptain Thorn, riner coldness pasilive disfeel in many ih the Kgypirising ground Tel-cl-Kebir. I by ear Mi J trong, behind his own. ■ -.i •in- r.i-mii); ui September 12 the British General gave orders for a night muster ; no fire, no pipe even was lo be lighted, no Toicc raised

in command. At midnight came the muttered word, "Advance !" and in silence and darkness the troops groped their way. lorwarxl. How they kept together in that wordless gloom the; could not afterwards tefl, but they did so, and in good order right in face ot the Egyptian .'nvrenchmcuts before the foe perceived them; pinked, it was still so dark that thtyi were baldly aware ol their own posij iron until they saw i "The league-long rampart the '•Fl»rc from TcM-Kchir."

Under that fire they advanced without returning a shot until the word ] was given, when, with a mighty shout they charged the foe. I Captain Thorn, blazing with ardour, spied, by the glare ot the guns, a footing in the earthwork, and, waiting for no scaling ladder he sprang up, and was immediately hand to hand with the defenders. A few thrusts, „nd then he tottered and fell within. Dick saw, and in an instant scrambled beside him, cut down a man who was just about to give him a finishing stroke, stood over the body and laid about him in sheer desperation. Their comrades now swarmvi up, but as thev did so a stray shot struck Hick in the leg. He fell and lay senseless beside his captain, while the British charge swept on, and in less than half an hour swept away the (oe.

CHAPTER IV. A HERO'S REWARD. In llie Khedivial Palace at Ismailla, which had been turned into a hospital. Dick came to himself. He glanced vaguely at the mosquito curtains, the rows of pallets, (be beautiful room, and, at last, at the army surgeon who stood beside him. | "Did wc beat them ?" he murmured. '

"Indeed you did. They all ran away as fast as their own' horses' legs could carry them." "Was my Captain killed ?"

"No, you saved him, life and limb; but you must not talk any more. Drink this and sleep." I Dick drank, and slept a refreshing sleep. When he awoke the surgeon came to him.

"How do you feel now ?" lie asked. "Pretty clear as to the head, but a terrible log as to the body. Where was I wounded 7 Oh, I remember, in the leg. A shot must —" He broke off, his eyes wide with horror. "What have you done to me?" he gasped. "Not cut off my leg." "Dear lad, the bone was shattered. It was either anputation or death." "Why not let me die ? I would rather ha»e died !" " I know, iuy lad ; but I did not dare." Dick buried his face in his hands, and tasted, as i; seemed to him, more than the bitterness of death. He was a criple, disabled for the Service, for all manly exercises. And losing so much, must lie not also lose Barbara 7

He had given up everything he possessed, or hoped for, to save that man—his one enemy in the world, who probably hated owing liim his life. And where was he ! Perhaps he had already srarted for home, and would soon see Barbara, and try to win her. lie groaned at the thought. "Dick, dear old chap !" said a voice at his ear. He looked up. Captain Thorn, haggard, and with his arm in a slim;, stood beside him.

" Oh, Dick, you saved my liie at this- terrible cost to yourself, and I have been a beast to you '. It was the bravest deed. Be my friend Dick. I don't deserve it, hut be my friend." "Dick," he continued presently, in a very humble fashion, "don't fret about your future. You must lei your friend see to that. And I've something pleasant to say. You arc <o have the Victoria Cross." "Not really <" cried poor Dick, flushed with joy' " Ye.s, really. And never was it so bravely won." Where can the effect of a noble act be said to end 7 First, Dick's heroism changed the heart of his Captain, and the latter's humiliation and gratitude worked upon Dick so, that he Was strengthened to do the right thing at whatever cost to himself. Directly he was able lie wrote to Barbara telling her of his condition, and setting her free. But when the letter had gone he felt dismal enough. His future liie stretched out before him arid as the Egyptian desert.

After what seemed, endless waiting the answer came. He held it i;, W,\ hand quite ten minutes, afraid to know his doom.

Then, bracing up his courage, he tore the flimsy envelope ji.il read : "My Hero.—lf you have body enough leit to contain your soul, 1 hold you to your-promise."