duty."

"By Jove! Major, he always bucks me up somehow," said Captain Neil.

"Bucks us all up," said the major, and he turned to take up again the
heavy burden of responsibility so suddenly and so terribly laid upon
him. The relief had been completed, and the last N. C. O. had just
reported "all clear." The Headquarters Company, now reduced to a poor
half dozen, were standing ready to move, when the telephone rang.

"Yes, doctor," said the major, answering it. "Oh, my God! My God! Not
that, doctor! Oh, God help us all! I'll be right down. It's the Pilot,
Neil," he said, turning to his friend. "Just take charge, will you
please. I must run."

Breathless he arrived at the R. A. P.

"Any chance, doctor?" he asked of the M. O. who was standing awaiting
him at the door.

"Not the very least, major, and he only has a few minutes. He wants
you."

"Now, may God help me," said the major standing quite still a moment or
two. "How did he get it?" he asked of a stretcher bearer. "Do you know?"

"Yes, sir, we had just picked up the last man. Sergeant Matthews got a
wound in the leg, and we had to carry him. Just as we started, they
got to shelling pretty bad and we dropped into a hole. I looked over my
shoulder and there was the Pilot, the chaplain, sir, I mean, with his
body spread over Sergeant Matthews, to keep off the shrapnel. It was
there he got it."

"Damn Sergeant Matthews," exclaimed the major, and passed on.

Barry was lying on a stretcher, very white and very still, but the smile
with which he welcomed the major was very bright.

"Awfully sorry--for you,--old chap," he whispered. "Couldn't
really--help--it--you know--we--got--them all--I'm--awfully--glad--to
see you--just a minute--before--before--"

The major, by this time, was weeping quietly.

"You have--been--a good friend--to me--major--. We--have had--a
good--time--together--. Say--goodbye--to--the boys--for--me--and----to
to--Neil."

"Oh, Barry, boy," said the major, brokenly. "It's hard to have you go.
You have helped us all."

Barry fumbled with weak fingers at his breast. The major opened his
tunic thinking that he needed air.

"My--my--let-ter--" he whispered.

The major took the letter from his breast pocket, and put it in his
hand. Barry held it a moment, then carried it to his lips.

"Now--that's--all--major," he whispered.
"Tell--her--I--thank--God--for--her--and--for--the--other.
Major--tell--the boys--that--God--is good--. Never--t