king
a rough house till they know who's won. What really happens is that they
wait till the Sunday papers arrive, when it is found _Suzanne_ 'as won the
sweep, 'er 'aving drawn Sunderland, what was top-scorer with seven goals.

"It is then that _Reginald's_ noble nature shows itself. Instead of telling
'er that she's won an' then disappointing 'er by saying the prize money is
in custody, 'e buys 'er ticket for 'alf-price. Then 'e goes to the compound
an' bribes the sentry to let 'im talk to _Blaney_ through the barbed wire.

"'There's the winning ticket, _Blaney_,' 'e says; 'now pay out.'

"'Pay out?' says _Blaney_, grinning hideously. 'Why, what do you think I
got into clink for?'

"And the end comes with _Reginald_ stalking 'elplessly outside the wire,
an' _Blaney_ laughing an' taunting 'im from inside."

"I don't think much of it," said Chris critically. "I know that Slaney--'im
what you call _Blaney_--did actually do you down real proper, but as a
fillum it ain't a good ending."

"P'r'aps it ain't--as it stands," admitted Chippo, "but when I'm
demobilized--when _Reginald_ is demobilized, I should say, an' 'e 'appens
to meet that _Jim Blaney_ there'll be the finest fillum finish that's ever
been released, if the police don't interfere."

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Informative Visitor_ (_member of party viewing sights of
London_). "'ERE Y'ARE, BOYS. ON OUR LEFT IS THE STATOO OF THE FAMOUS
SINGER, ALBERT 'ALL, AND ON THE RIGHT WE 'AVE THE KENSINGTON GAS WORKS."]

* * * * *

THIS FOR REMEMBRANCE.

[The Government is reported to have three million empty rum jars for
sale.]

I've long mused on buying a rifle,
A chunk of an aeroplane's gear
Or other belligerent trifle
By way of a small souvenir;
I've thought 'twould be fine (and your pardon
I beg if this savours of swank)
If the grotto that graces my garden
Were topped by a tank.

But only this morn I decided
Exactly the thing I preferred
To call back the prodigies I did
When the call for fatigue men was heard;
Though my life is again a civilian's,
Martial glories shall come back to view
If I buy from these derelict millions
A rum jar or two.

Though the spirit's long since been a "goner,"
Though the uttermost heel-tap be drained,
I will give them a place of high honour,
Well knowing that once they contained
My solac