Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 67: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FOURTH CHUM. the heath. Even in the dim light her hair was quite silvery, and he wondered again at the curious anomaly of the firm, young body and the gray hair. “So,” she said in a musing tone, “ that is why you have left your frien’s and your country and have enlist’ in the British army.” (<4 Yes.” ‘‘ Such a lonesome soldier! In my coun- try, and I think in your country, a gentle- man can be a private soldier and still not suffer, but in England—it must have been frightful!” ‘At times. In the main it is good for aman. I have learned patience, and that is what makes the Tommy the great soldier he is.” “Ves. That is true. I shall never be patient, zever! Not if I am ground into the earth! You must accept trouble to be pa- tient, and I shall never accept it! Sir, I think Pearsley have given you those gems. Why else should they attack you? Am fi right?” After a pause Morgan said: “ Yes.” He stopped and faced her. ‘“Pearsley was an old man—one of three chums. There was Vine, Grill, and Pears- ley. They were all three soldiers’ orphans and they grew up together in a home for sol- diers’ orphans. When they got to be old enough, ten, I think, they went into the army as trumpeters, and later when they were seventeen or so, they became regular soldiers. They went together to India and served there I don’t know how many years. “ But all the time they were chums—the kind of chums that the King’s Regulations provides for when it is said that a man shall not be separated from his chum against his wish. I have an idea they tested that provision more than once, and always they kept together. “By the time the war broke out they were old soldiers, almost ready to retire, but they went to France. Vine was terribly wounded and crippled in the first year, and he was discharged. He went to Winchester after a long stretch in hospital, where his officer set him up in a little tobacco shop. He is bent almost double, and has to be lifted in and out of his chair. 857 ‘“ Pearsley did not tell me whether it was before or after Vine’s discharge that the stones were found. At any rate, Pearsley was kept in France along with Crill until long after the armistice. Then they came back to Woolwich, and Crill was drowned swimming horses. “That left Pearsley, and the loss of his comrades seemed to weigh on his mind. He had been a model soldier, but all at once he became erratic, bad-tempered, and even slovenly. On account of his good record he had some leeway, but the second time he overstayed his leave for a week he was put in the clink, ‘IT was there—we were in the exercise yard one afternoon and Pearsley was walk- ing to and fro with his head down when all of a sudden he put both hands to his breast and said: ‘I feel bloody queer, mate.’ Then he fell down, and when I got to him, he whispered to me that he knew he was dying, and that there was one thing that a young soldier could do for an old one. ““ He told me about the three chums, and he gave me a packet and said that I must take it to Harry Vine, in Winchester. He was terribly in earnest, and he made me swear that I would do it by all that I held holy. But it was more the idea of the three chums that made me say that I would. “And, mademoiselle, I think I shall. That is why I beg you to put your affairs into the hands of some responsible person, for much as you have charmed me, I shall go to Winchester when I can get leave, and give that packet to Harry Vine. “Then your man from Scotland Yard can take charge. I shall have done my duty.” By this time the hard road was under their feet and they turned toward Wool- wich. The woman walked silently for a time, and then laughed—a cool, confident, friendly laugh. ‘* So,” she said lightly, “‘ that is your an- swer.”’ ““ With regrets, yes,” “And my reward? I have been so agree- able.” e Morgan swept her up in his arms and kissed her lightly. “Ah, now I am in truth a soldier’s girl. Comicwiooks: CO) nA