IN HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 54, 14 March 1900, Page 4

IN HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE.

A STOBY OF THE AFGHAN W AB. (Br B. H. Dull, in Luigait Magazine.) (Continued.) "Ican't help that," said the colonel irritably. " I daresay he will find his way back before morning, if not, a search will be made. As to coming here to catechise me about him at this time of night, you must be a fool. What do you expe it me to know about him?"

" Nothing," responded de Vere, with a slight smile that was unmistakably sarcastic. "If the regiment itself were missing I should not think of asking you what had become of it. But I must apologise for keeping you awake. Have I your permission to take a couple of men and look for him?" "No," sharply replied the colonel, •'you have not." Major de Vere turned to leave the tent as abruptly as he had entered it, but the colonel's voice made him pause. u What are" you going to do ?" "Do?" De Vere stawd. "Whatdo you expect me to do ?" "To obey my orders," was the stern tepiyThe major wheeled round and went to the other officer's side. " Let me go, Colonel," he said, in a Voice that was veiy different from his forme.: curt tones. He hated asking favours, but the emergency of the case -was too great for personal considerations t3 have any weight. *My dear boy, are you mad ? Take my advice and go to bed. You need rest, and you have earned it most thoroughly."

The colonel raised himself and looked kindly into the troubled blue eyes above him. Major de Vere was his friend, and in spite of his apparent indifference, Colonel Mortimer had a heart, and a kind heart too. The major bowed his head silently. "You will go to bed like a good fellow?'' the colonel asked, half-anxious, half-peremptory. De Vere tesitated. "If you can't trist me—" he began, then stopped. "Will you come with me?" he ended, with a smile. "No, certainly not. And I absolutely forbid you to attempt anything so mad." The major stood for a moment, fidgeting with his belt and looking very uncomfortable. "Well, good night," he said at length.

"Give me your word of honour, de Vera. I shall not rest uoless I have it."

"What?" said de Vere, with a return of his old drowsiness. ''You' want my word of honour ? My dear 6ir, you don't imagine that I am likely to take the trouble to run counter to your wishes? Too much exertion really. Good night if you sleep as soundly as I shall you will have the, best night I can wish you." And he quitted the colonel's tent without waiting to be called back. Five minutes later, two men—an officer and a private soldier—crept noiselessly out of the camp.

Captain Hone was marching restlessly up and down outside his tent. The moon had risen, and he knew that he should be snatching a few hours' rest from the toil of the campaign, but as he was wont to say, when the restless mood was on him the very devil seemed to keep him on his feet, He was pondering deeply when a figure came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. The captain jumped round with an oath and then stepped back, " What! Clarence! Is it safe you j are then ? Where the dickens do you i hail from ?" ] "I have just come in," Clarence returned, and went on speaking in brief sentences. "I got separated from'the rest trying to help a poor fellow who was shot in the head. I got a knock and it stunned me for a time. Then I lost my way back, but," with a sigh of utter weariness, "I am here at last." "You bad better go and report yourself, my son," said Hone, laying his hand with sudden affection on the young man's shoulder. "It is" confoundedly glad lam to see you. I was giving you up for lost. You have seen nothingof de Vere?" "DeVere? No. Is he " " Missing," said the captain, with a sigh.

"Really? No fooling V '■ My dear boy, do I look like fooling? No, he has gone. I myself got in late, and I have seen nothingof him since five o'clock this afternoon. Poor * fellow! lam afraid " He stopped for Clarence had turned sharply away from him. "De Vere gone!" he muttered to himself. "You say you saw him at five ?" turning back. " " Then he cannot be far away."

" Far enough," the captf in arswered, marching up to his tent and pausing at the entrance with his face averted. " You thirk he is dead ?" " I know it, or he would have found his way 1 ere before now," "He may be ljing wounded just outside." (To he continued.)