Captain Jim

sn't it?"

!" said

glancing across to Hyde Park Corner, they could see the great red motor-'buses, meeting, halting, and

s, propelled by smart nurses in uniform, and tenanted by proud little people, fair-haired and rosy, a

k, there's a jolly little duke in that gorgeous white pram, and a bigger sized duke trotting alongside, with a Teddy-bear as big as

lly. "Can't grow more than one in a family;

ne in the pram's a duchess," returned Wally. "

terns, then mustering his courage, came close to Jim and gravely presented him with his Teddy-b

e said. "It's a sple

return the Teddy-bear that the matter had to be adjusted by distracting his attention in the direction of some drilling soldiers, while Wally concealed the toy under the embroidered r

eautiful and have the g

r give me T

ng Wally, if you'll stop beguiling the infant peerage, and attend

t there's nothing more to be said than th

from poor old O'Neill

d it, if

Wally Meadows' eyes died out as his chum

el in Carrignarone, I s

e fight. You see, he was certain he wasn't

*

ear N

ould be done, but you have done it. Still, now and then I remember, and I know that there will be long years after you have all gone back to that beloved Australia of yours when there will be nothing to keep me from realizing that I am crippled and a hunchback. To-night I have t

but it will be a home for you and your father while Jim and Wally are fighting, if you care for it. And perhaps you will make some use of it that will interest you. I liked the place, as well as I could like any place outside Ireland; and if I can loo

nd God keep you h

r fr

O'Ne

*

d there was a long silence. Each boy was seeing again a

his voice. "He wasn't different-at least, only

no

that he went out," he said. "Only I'm sorry for us, because it was a pretty big thing to be friends with

rticulars about

. The place is really left to him, in trust for Norah, until she comes of age; that's so that there wouldn't be any legal bother about her taking posses

" Wally said. "I expect sh

of it. Dad and I don't mu

pond

letter again?" h

leisurely and lit it, while Wally knitted his brows over the sheet of cheap h

aid. "I don't believe it's just an ordinary legacy. Of course, it's h

with

"Look what he says-'Perhaps you will make some use of it th

t," Jim said cauti

hesi

to help, since he couldn't fight,-at least, since he thought he couldn't," the boy added

been let for a year, and the lease expires this month-they said O'Neill had refused t

dded vig

t for themselves. Why, it's as clear as mud, Jim! O'Neill knew that Norah didn't actually need the place, and that she and your father wanted to be near you and still help

ly!" said a thankfu

ack with a broad black ribbon. She was very slender-"skinny," Norah would have said-but, despite that she was at what is known as "the awkward age," no movement of Norah Linton's was ever awkward. She mov

r. "We didn't hear you-w

ered. "I came across the grass, and you two were so busy talking you

Wally answered, "But what

John's house-to profit by his death. I couldn't bear it. But of course you're right.

with Wally, n

eath. However, as long as one member of the family has seen it, it's all right." She flashed a smile at Wally. "I'm just ever so much happier. It

lly well you would make good use of it, and

are you leaving yourself out for? Aren'

ant to belong--!" Whereat Wally Meadows flushed and laughed, and muttered so

s at the Linton's big station in the north of Victoria, until it seemed that he was really one of the Billabong family. Years had knitted him and Jim and Norah into a firm triumvirate, mates in the work and play of an Australian cattle-run; watc

to be thought of, and as both the boys were wild to enlist, and Wally was too young to be accepted in Australia-though not in England-it seemed that the simplest thing to do was to make the pilgrimage a general one, and let the chums enlist in London. They had joined a f

iends with Sir John O'Neill, the last of an old North of Ireland family: a half-crippled man, eating out his heart against the fate that held him back from an active part in the war. Together they had managed to stumble on an oil-base for Germ

mourned for him as for one of themselves, cherishing the memory of the high-souled man whose spirit had outstripped his weak body. Jim and Wally, from exposure on the night of the fight, ha

only question is, what ar

ay," said Norah. "So can you two

ell you what to do,"

have any decision for a day, because it's a terribly big thing to think of. I wish I was gro

to put it up," said her brother. "It's awful to be old and responsible, isn't it Wally?" To which

look at the Ro

all right, I suppo

ss you!" said Norah,

The type has become familiar enough in London now, but it generally exists under a slouch hat; and these lads were in British uniform, bearing the badges of a famous marching regiment. At first they had hankered after the cavalry, being much more accustomed to ride than to walk: but as the armies settled down into the Flanders mud it became increasingly apparent that this was not to be a

from fence to fence with beautiful horses and well-turned-out riders, and with half the world looking on from the railings. Nowadays the small boys and girls had it chiefly to themselves, and could stray from side to side at their own sweet will. A few ladies were riding, and there was a sprinkling of officers in khaki; obviously on Army horses and out for exercise. Now and then came a wounded man, sl

ss flashing in the sunlight, drove up and down. Some contained old ladies and grey-haire

ital," Wally said, indicating a carriage with a magnificent pair of bays. "She was an old dear. M

ut I'd take those beastly bear

rly. "Poor darlings, h

ck London when the co

rdly tell which was which-and educated beyond anything Australians could dream about. There was one man-poor chap, Anstruther said he was drowned in the Lus

down Piccadilly on a fine morning!" said Wally. "Tha

!" said Norah, laughi

nging across the grass with a step as light as h

fter Harrod's; I never find myself in that amazing shop without wishing I had a bell on my neck, so that I coul

r: you want a special lift-sense not to

y, sir,' and disappear: and you look round you frantically, and see about seventeen different archways, and th

Moddam; first to the right, second to the left, lift Number fifteen, fifth floor and the att

avely, "that you would prefer Cunjee, with one street, one

nd a new song too! Think of the economy of time and boot-leather! And Mr. Wilkins knows all about you, and talks to you like a nice fat uncle while he wraps up your parcels. And if you're on a young horse you needn't get off

ed Wally, eyeing her with respect. Whereat Norah reddened and lau

very well for a visit. But just imagine what it would be

Helena, and the Huns are busy building up Belgium and France. And you'll both be captains, if you aren't br

chance!" sai

ack; and that's all tha

wistfully on th

o Fuller's and have morning tea. One thing, you

?" Norah asked cheerfu

at Bil

ally. "When I think of

s," added Norah. "O

said Mr. Linton-"then London is a desert. But we'll make