White Feather

ns. The latterpoint of view was that of the younger and more irresponsible section ofthe community, which liked elections

member, and did not see its way to a change asyet, his energy had done him very little good. The school had looked onhim as a sportsman, and read his speeches in the local paper withamusement; but they were not interested. Now, however, things werechanged. The Conservative candidate, Sir William Bruce, was one ofthemselves--an Old Wrykinian, a governor of the school, a man whoalways watched school-matches, and the donor of the Bruce Challenge Cupfor the school mile. In fine, one of the best. He was also the fatherof Jack Bruce, a day-boy on the engineering side. The school would haveliked to have made a popular hero of Jack Bruce. If he h

toryspeeches of Mr Saul Pedder had caused a swashbuckling spirit to spreadamong the rowdy element of the town. Gangs of youths, to adopt thepolice-court term, had developed a habit of parading the st

frakkuses that Linton h

ton had looked in on Sheenfor tea. It was a Sa

estinghouse-match, Templar's _versus_ Donaldson's, and ex

thing to do till the house-matches begin properly."Seymour's had won their first ma

boat out," sugg

bout going to Cook's?""All right. Toss you who pays."Cook's was a shop

nton licked the place where his tooth

f the shop, was examining abroken window w

young scallywag. Ketch 'im--I'll give 'im--""Sounds like dear old Albert," said Linton. "Who did it, sergeant?""Red-headed young mongrel. 'Good old Pedder,' he says. 'I'll give youP

thing from you with your love. I owe him a lot for myself."Mrs Cook clicked he

lse one, Mr Linton," said Se

ty. Dunstable and Linto

oor from time to time and dil

ut I says to them, you 'aven't got tolive in it, I says. That's what it is. You 'aven't got to live in

shoulder, as if he wereaddressing a half-c

ng in and saying 'Vote forBruce', and another 'Vote for Pedder', and another saying how it's thepoor man's loaf he's fighting for--if he'd only _buy_ a loaf,now--'ullo, 'ullo, wot

too thick," said Barry,

hop came the voice

u, you red-'eaded--"Roars

rt," said Lint

e to tea, when they started going for us, so we nippedin here, hoping to find rein

e a shot.""Albert?

go out, and smash them up,"

ated the situat

te. You'dbetter eat as much as you can now Linton. You may hav

things at the

on earth's the good of that?""Well, it

es on that man. But I bet he felt it.""Look here, I'm going out," said

e's got us corneredhere. The first principle of warfare is to get a good feed before youstart.""And anyhow," said Ba

ait if he 'as to wait all night.""Quite right," said Dunstable, approvingly. "Sensible chap, Alb

houted a voice

looked at

," he said, getting up "Ready?""W

Mr Dunstable?" inq

t we're decently buried won't yo

d theycame upon the combatants some five minutes after battle had beenjoined. The town contingent were filling the air with strange cries,Albe

ead, with a queer, sinking feeling within him. Hegulped. Drum

e uttered an

ur's cap. Isn't thatMcTodd? And, great Scott! t

o get...mixed u

t him with open eye

m the town army as the red-hairedAlbert, plunging through the fray, sent Barry staggering against the

mond, beginning to run

resolutely. Then he walked rap