A TRAGEDY OF WAR

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 168, 15 July 1916, Page 15

A TRAGEDY OF WAR

The railway transport officer, according lo the "Westminster Gazette," was very busy. Hist work can be very strenuous at times. A subaltern came into the office. "Captain Duncan about?" he asked. "Yes. He'll be back in a minute. Want to see him personally, or will I do?" "Yes, I want to see him. He's in the Blankshires. Isn't' he?— Arthur Duncan." "Yes, that's him. Will you wait?" answered the U.T.O. The subaltern sat down. "Thanks," he said, and then added, apologetically, "He's , my brother, you know, Haven't seen him for ages—only happened to hear in the town he was here." "Fnnny how one drops across one's people out here," said the H.T.O. "Here's a paper, ouly yesterday's." "Thanks. ' The subaltern reached across the table. "Haven't seen one since I left England." The R.T.O. went on with his work. The subaltern read the paper. Captain Duncan returned in a few minutes and sat down without speaking. The subaltern glanced up, and then continued to read the paper. "Very odd," thought the R.T.O. "Wonder why the sub doesn't speak to his brother ?" He looked from one to the other. "Damned odd I' , "Oh, Captain Duncan," he said, at last, "this chap wants to see yon personally." Captain Duncan looked up. "Wants to sec mc?" The subaltern put his paper down. "Oil— er, I was —er." He seemed very puzzled. "Are you Captain Duncan of the Blankshires?" "Yes, certainly." "I heard there was a Duncan in the Blankßhires here, so I thought I'd look in and see him on my way np country. Must be another fellow of the same name." "Yes," said Captain Duncan. "There is —there was another fellow in the other battalion killed two days ago at Keuve Chapelle. Awful good lad. Rotten luck." There was a silence tense with some intangible emotion. The subaltern turned while. The R.T.O. cursed inwardly. The telephone bell rang and Captain Duncan picked up the receiver. "Oh, well," said the subaltern, "I must get along. So long, you chape," and he left the office abruptly. "Odd f»11mr t '.'. /tmlA Tirtf 1"_ T> *"ir l ii '