IN HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 53, 10 March 1900, Page 4

IN HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE.

A STORY OF THE AFGHAN WAR. . (Br B. M. DELf,, in Ludgate Magazine.) (Continued.) "It doesn't take you long to smash a fellow," observed Captain Hone. " Where did you learn to be so confoundedly sharp?' Major deVere had leant back again, his momentary energy gone, and as sleepy as he had been before the brief : argument, "Hardly worth it," he drawled. " Don't biow why I should have troubled myself, but it does a fellow good to be put down now and then. Not that Clarence is uppish. Still —" "Seemed'to take it hard, didn't be? 1 rejoined Hone, in the same lazy tones. "He couldn't have been more put out if you had given him a literal instead of a figurative kick behind." "Nonsense! He didn't care, did he?' De Yere sat up fully awake again. Hone laughed. " Does conscience prick ? Didn't know you possessed siich a'"-ticklish article. Care ? I shouldn't think so. He is an odd customer, but sure even he couldn't be such a fool »s to think twice about anything you managed to

get oat." "Knock the fellow down, somebody," ordered de Yere languidly I " and stop his cackle if you can." "Do it yourself, you lazy beggar," Said Hone, pushing up his sleeves. *• The exercise will do yoa good, ij. What? You won't? Let me show you how." Order, order," said the Major, waving his hand. "No horse-play here." " Wait till we get to Afghanistan," said a boy sitting at the captain's side. " Give it 'em hot and strong there." " In Her Majesty's Service," put in 1 another, with a glance at the reclining de Vere. "The major's watchword, don't you know. Only don't risk your precious life whatever else you have t'ie gallantry to do. Think what a loss fc would be to the Queen." Major de Vere smiled. Had he been asked the reason of his indifference to chaff from his juniors, his reply would have been that the boys knew how far they might go with him, and he was satisfied that beyond the limit they would not venture. * * • It was a dark night in Afghanistan. The moon had not risen, and the British camp fires alone illumined the dirkness of the surrounding rocky waste. Now and then the shout of a sentry rose above the buzz of voices in the tents, and more rarely aishot " echoed along the passes and defiles of the wild country about , the camp. - Pickets had just been posted for the earlier part of the night, and Majoi de Vere, who has visited the outposts, was returning to the tent he shared with two other officers for the repose he needed. It had been a tiring , day for him, for he had been one of a Storming party on the heights, and as he dragged himself wearily to his tent, • he was drowsijy congratulating himseli ; that his wotk was done for one more day. ;> "De Vere, is that you?" whispered : one of his companions, as he flung 'I , hipself down without so much as unfastening his belt. " Yes. Qood-night." "It is a terrible thing about poor ; Qlarence, isn't it?" The -major, who was already halfasleep, roused himself. " What about poor Clarence?' " Surely you know thao he is missing, that he has not been seen in camp since he set out with you this morning?" " I know nothing of the kind. What! do you mean? That the man is deidr " No, nothing is known. Only when the adjutant went through the roll- - call a. little while ago, he was not there to answer. We were all surprised, for 111 one seemed Co have any idea that, he had not come in with the rest. Hullo! Where are yougoing ?" 4 " Never mind. 1 daresay you will see me again befpre long. Good Uight" , Major de Vere was on bis feet again and outside, with the words. Tired as he wasj the sudden news bad taken from him all desire to rest. He went straight to the colonel's tent. " Well," was the reluctant permission which his short demand for entrance elicited. The' major walked in without further ceremony, to find his commandingofficer lying in bed. "Sorry to disturb you," said de "Vere, halting just inside the tent; 4: but 1 have just heard about Clarence's disappearance. It is very extraordinary, fori quite believed him to b3 in safety with the rest after the t Jung of the kotal." be continued.)