THE FRUITS OF VICTORY.
Grace Fuller was safe then, and everybody knew it. But somehow that
crowd did not give a single cheer; in fact, every one seemed to have
forgotten that she and Fischer were there, and all made a rush for
Mallory.
Fischer fastened the rope inside the building, wrapped it about his
wrist, took the unconscious figure in his one free arm, and slid
swiftly down to safety, just in time to see the flames that threatened
Mallory extinguished by the cadets. Grace Fuller was unconscious, so
she knew nothing of this, but Fischer did, and he staggered over toward
the gallant plebe.
“How is he?” he cried. “How is he? Don’t tell me he’s----”
Fischer hated to say the word, but as he stared at the motionless
figure he feared that it was true, that Mallory had given his life for
his friends.
A surgeon was at his side an instant later, bending over the prostrate
form--Mallory was unconscious and nearly dead from exhaustion and pain
alone. His legs were burned to a blister, his hands were a sight to
make one sick. As to the fall, who could say? The surgeon shook his
head sadly as he got up and called for a stretcher to carry the lad
down to the hospital.
That incident once past the battalion turned its energies to
extinguishing the flames. But they were listless and careless energies
for some reason. There seemed to be something on the battalion’s mind.
A guilty conscience is a poor companion for any work. And the thought
of Mallory and what he had done, and what they had done to him, gave
the cadets a very guilty conscience indeed.
Those who had taken part in that beating were the most worried and
unhappy of all, for they had done something they might never be able
to atone for. They seemed to hear those words of Mallory’s--and they
thought of how true they had come--“Some day I may have a chance to
show you how much of a coward I am.”
They got the fire out entirely in an hour or two, and then sadly the
corps marched back to the silent camp. There was a noticeable lack of
satisfaction one might have expected to see after the weary task was so
creditably performed. The thought of Mallory was a weight of lead upon
the heart of every one. That plebe had suddenly become the one object
of all the hopes and prayers of the corps.
Groups of silent lads gathered about the tents, conversing in low
and subdued whispers when they said anything at all. The picture of
Mallory’s figure clinging to the side of that burning house was before
their eyes every moment. Fischer had told them the story of Mallory’s
reasons for daring their wrath, and his news put the plebe’s action in
quite a different light. It made the cadets yet more remorseful for
their cruelty.
George Elliot has remarked that “when Death, the great Reconciler
comes, it is not our leniency, but our harshness we repent of.”
The drug sounded taps a few minutes later for the second time that
night. The cadets scattered silently to their tents, realizing that
they would have to wait until the morrow to get tidings of poor
Mallory’s fate.
It seemed, however, that West Point’s interest in the matter was so
great that even military rules could not stand before it. The cadets
had scarcely fallen asleep again, before several members of the guard
went from tent to tent with the glad tidings from the hospital that
Cadet Mallory and Miss Grace Fuller were conscious and would surely
recover. And the news was sent by order of Lieutenant Allen himself.
Two days later Mark was lying upon a bed in the cadet hospital. We
would scarcely have known Mark, to look at him; his face was pale and
his arm trembled when he moved it. But Mark was happy for all that.
He was reaping the fruits of his bravery, then. He was still in pain,
it is true; any one who has ever blistered one’s finger with fire may
be able to imagine the feelings Mark got from those two bandaged hands
of his. But he had forgotten all about that for a time.
The reason for that is not far to seek. The sunlight as it streamed
into that room was reflected from a wealth of golden hair that in turn
lit up Mark’s pale features. It was Grace Fuller who was sitting by his
bedside; and Grace Fuller was trying to thank him for what he had done
for her.
Her tone was low and earnest as she spoke:
“Mark,” she said--“I have never called you Mark before, but I will now,
if you will let me--the debt I owe to you I can never repay; but if
true friendship is anything you may have that. That is all I can give.”
Mark answered nothing; but he gazed at the girl earnestly.
“This is the second time,” continued she, “that you have been in this
hospital for me. I do not know what others think of it, but I know that
I shall never forget it as long as I live.”
Concerning what others thought, Grace was very speedily to learn. It is
necessary to interrupt her thankful words, for just then an unpoetic
attendant came into the room.
“Mr. Mallory,” said he, “there are some cadets outside who want to see
you. The surgeon says that they may----”
“Send them in,” said Mark, weakly. And then he added to Grace, with a
faint attempt at a smile: “I wonder if they want me to fight.”
Grace said nothing to that, but her eyes flashed for a moment. She had
heard the story of how the cadets had treated Mark, and she had made up
her mind that if they had anything more to say about cowardice she was
going to take a hand. Grace Fuller had her own ideas on the subject of
cowards.
The cadets entered the room a moment later, and when Mark glanced at
them he started with no little surprise. It was the committee from the
first class, the same committee that had been taunting him a few days
previously.
“Well, gentlemen?” said Mark, inquiringly.
Evidently the cadets had an embarrassing task before them. They had
sidled into the room rather awkwardly, all the more so when they espied
Grace Fuller’s beautiful face, which was all the more beautiful for its
present paleness.
Once in the room they had backed up against the wall, eying the two
uneasily.
“Ahem!” said the spokesman.
“Well?” inquired Mark again.
By way of answer the spokesman took from beneath his jacket a folded
paper. This he opened before him with some solemnity.
“Mr. Mallory,” he began--“ahem! I have been appointed, together with my
two classmates here, to--er--convey to you the following notice from
the first class.”
Here the spokesman stopped abruptly and shifted uneasily. Mark bowed,
as well as he could under the circumstances.
“This letter,” continued the cadet, “is from the president of the
class. Listen, please:
“‘CADET MALLORY, West Point:
“‘DEAR SIR: As president of the first class of the corps of cadets I
have the duty and pleasure of submitting to you the following set of
resolutions adopted unanimously by the class at a meeting held this
morning.
“‘Respectfully Yours,
“‘GEORGE T. FISCHER,
“‘Cadet Captain, Company A.’”
After that imposing document the spokesman paused for breath. Mark
waited in silence. When the cadet thought that there had been suspense
enough for so important an occasion he raised the paper and continued:
“‘Whereas--
“‘Cadet Mallory of the fourth class has performed before the whole
academy an act of heroism and self-sacrifice which merits immediate
and signal recognition.
“‘Resolved--
“‘That the class hereby desires, both as a class and as individuals,
to offer to Cadet Mallory their sincere apology for all offensive
remarks addressed to him under any circumstances whatsoever.
“‘That the class hereby expresses the greatest regret for all attacks
made by it upon Cadet Mallory.
“‘That the class hereby extends to Cadet Mallory its assurance of
respect.
“‘And that the president of the class be requested to forward a copy
of these resolutions to Cadet Mallory at once.’”
At the close of this most imposing document the young cadet folded the
paper and put it away, then gazed at Mark with a what-more-do-you-want?
sort of air. As for Mark, he was lying back on his pillow gazing into
space and thinking.
“That’s pretty decent,” he observed, meditatively; then he raised
himself up and gazed at the three quizzically.
“Tell the first class,” said he, “that I cannot make much of a speech,
but that I accept their apology with the same sincerity it’s given. I
thank them for their regards, and also for having released me from my
fighting obligations. And now,” he added, “since this appears to be a
time of mutual brotherly love, concession and reciprocity, I don’t mind
taking a share myself. Tell the class that it’s very probable that when
I join them again----”
Here Mark paused in order to let his important announcement have due
weight.
“I’ll try to be a little less B. J. Good-afternoon.”
“Say, that letter’s great!” cried Texas, when he heard of it. “Whoop! I
almost feel like hurrahing for them old first classers.”
“It’s very nice,” said the Parson. “Yea, by Zeus, it’s all right.”
“Couldn’t do less, b’gee!” cried Dewey. “Mark shamed ’em all, b’gee.”
And the Banded Seven agreed--just as they always did.
THE END.
_THE CREAM OF JUVENILE FICTION_
THE BOYS’ OWN LIBRARY
A Selection of the Best Books for Boys by the Most Popular Authors
The titles in this splendid juvenile series have been selected with
care, and as a result all the stories can be relied upon for their
excellence. They are bright and sparkling; not over-burdened with
lengthy descriptions, but brimful of adventure from the first page to
the last--in fact they are just the kind of yarns that appeal strongly
to the healthy boy who is fond of thrilling exploits and deeds of
heroism. Among the authors whose names are included in the Boys’ Own
Library are Horatio Alger, Jr., Edward S. Ellis, James Otis, Capt.
Ralph Bonehill, Burt L. Standish, Gilbert Patten and Frank H. Converse.
* * * * *
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE BOYS’ OWN LIBRARY
All the books in this series are copyrighted, printed on good paper,
large type, illustrated, printed wrappers, handsome cloth covers
stamped in inks and gold--fifteen special cover designs.
_150 Titles--Price, per Volume, 75 cents_
For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price by
the publisher,
DAVID McKAY,
610 SO. WASHINGTON SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA, PA.
HORATIO ALGER, Jr.
One of the best known and most popular writers. Good, clean, healthy
stories for the American Boy.
Adventures of a Telegraph Boy
Dean Dunham
Erie Train Boy, The
Five Hundred Dollar Check
From Canal Boy to President
From Farm Boy to Senator
Backwoods Boy, The
Mark Stanton
Ned Newton
New York Boy
Tom Brace
Tom Tracy
Walter Griffith
Young Acrobat
C. B. ASHLEY.
One of the best stories ever written on hunting, trapping and adventure
in the West, after the Custer Massacre.
Gilbert, the Boy Trapper
ANNIE ASHMORE.
A splendid story, recording the adventures of a boy with smugglers.
Smuggler’s Cave, The
CAPT. RALPH BONEHILL.
Capt. Bonehill is in the very front rank as an author of boys’ stories.
These are two of his best works.
Neka, the Boy Conjurer
Tour of the Zero Club
WALTER F. BRUNS.
An excellent story of adventure in the celebrated Sunk Lands of
Missouri and Kansas.
In the Sunk Lands
FRANK H. CONVERSE.
This writer has established a splendid reputation as a boys’ author,
and although his books usually command $1.25 per volume, we offer the
following at a more popular price.
Gold of Flat Top Mountain
Happy-Go-Lucky Jack
Heir to a Million
In Search of An Unknown Race
In Southern Seas
Mystery of a Diamond
That Treasure
Voyage to the Gold Coast
HARRY COLLINGWOOD.
One of England’s most successful writers of stories for boys. His best
story is
Pirate Island
GEORGE H. COOMER.
Two books we highly recommend. One is a splendid story of adventure at
sea, when American ships were in every port in the world, and the other
tells of adventures while the first railway in the Andes Mountains was
being built.
Boys in the Forecastle
Old Man of the Mountain
WILLIAM DALTON.
Three stories by one of the very greatest writers for boys. The stories
deal with boys’ adventures in India, China and Abyssinia. These books
are strongly recommended for boys’ reading, as they contain a large
amount of historical information.
Tiger Prince
War Tiger
White Elephant
EDWARD S. ELLIS.
These books are considered the best works this well-known writer ever
produced. No better reading for bright young Americans.
Arthur Helmuth
Check No. 2134
From Tent to White House
Perils of the Jungle
On the Trail of Geronimo
White Mustang
GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
For the past fifty years Mr. Fenn has been writing books for boys
and popular fiction. His books are justly popular throughout the
English-speaking world. We publish the following select list of his
boys’ books, which we consider the best he ever wrote.
Commodore Junk
Dingo Boys
Golden Magnet
Grand Chaco
Weathercock
ENSIGN CLARKE FITCH, U. S. N.
A graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, and thoroughly
familiar with all naval matters. Mr. Fitch has devoted himself to
literature, and has written a series of books for boys that every
young American should read. His stories are full of very interesting
information about the navy, training ships, etc.
Bound for Annapolis
Clif, the Naval Cadet
Cruise of the Training Ship
From Port to Port
Strange Cruise, A
WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON.
An author of world-wide popularity. Mr. Graydon is essentially a friend
of young people, and we offer herewith ten of his best works, wherein
he relates a great diversity of interesting adventures in various parts
of the world, combined with accurate historical data.
Butcher of Cawnpore, The
Camp in the Snow, The
Campaigning with Braddock
Cryptogram, The
From Lake to Wilderness
In Barracks and Wigwam
In Fort and Prison
Jungles and Traitors
Rajah’s Fortress, The
White King of Africa, The
LIEUT. FREDERICK GARRISON, U. S. A.
Every American boy takes a keen interest in the affairs of West Point.
No more capable writer on this popular subject could be found than
Lieut. Garrison, who vividly describes the life, adventures and unique
incidents that have occurred in that great institution--in these famous
West Point stories.
Off for West Point
Cadet’s Honor, A
On Guard
West Point Treasure, The
West Point Rivals, The
HEADON HILL.
The hunt for gold has always been a popular subject for consideration,
and Mr. Hill has added a splendid story on the subject in this romance
of the Klondyke.
Spectre Gold
HENRY HARRISON LEWIS.
Mr. Lewis is a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and has
written a great many books for boys. Among his best works are the
following titles--the subjects include a vast series of adventures in
all parts of the world. The historical data is correct, and they should
be read by all boys, for the excellent information they contain.
Centreboard Jim
King of the Island
Midshipman Merrill
Ensign Merrill
Sword and Pen
Valley of Mystery, The
Yankee Boys in Japan
LIEUT. LIONEL LOUNSBERRY.
A series of books embracing many adventures under our famous naval
commanders, and with our army during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
Founded on sound history, these books are written for boys, with the
idea of combining pleasure with profit; to cultivate a fondness for
study--especially of what has been accomplished by our army and navy.
Cadet Kit Carey
Captain Carey
Kit Carey’s Protegé
Lieut. Carey’s Luck
Out With Commodore Decatur
Randy, the Pilot
Tom Truxton’s School Days
Tom Truxton’s Ocean Trip
Treasure of the Golden Crater
Won at West Point
BROOKS McCORMICK.
Four splendid books of adventure on sea and land, by this well-known
writer for boys.
Giant Islanders, The
How He Won
Nature’s Young Nobleman
Rival Battalions
WALTER MORRIS.
This charming story contains thirty-two chapters of just the sort of
school life that charms the boy readers.
Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy
STANLEY NORRIS.
Mr. Norris is without a rival as a writer of “Circus Stories” for boys.
These four books are full of thrilling adventures, but good, wholsome
reading for young Americans.
Phil, the Showman
Young Showman’s Rivals, The
Young Showman’s Pluck, The
Young Showman’s Triumph
LIEUT. JAMES K. ORTON.
When a boy has read one of Lieut. Orton’s books, it requires no urging
to induce him to read the others. Not a dull page in any of them.
Beach Boy Joe
Last Chance Mine
Secret Chart, The
Tom Havens with the White Squadron
JAMES OTIS.
Mr. Otis is known by nearly every American boy, and needs no
introduction here. The following copyrights are among his best:
Chased Through Norway
Inland Waterways
Unprovoked Mutiny
Wheeling for Fortune
Reuben Green’s Adventures at Yale
GILBERT PATTEN.
Mr. Patten has had the distinction of having his books adopted by the
U. S. Government for all naval libraries on board our war ships. While
aiming to avoid the extravagant and sensational, the stories contain
enough thrilling incidents to please the lad who loves action and
adventure. In the Rockspur stories the description of their Baseball
and Football Games and other contests with rival clubs and teams make
very exciting and absorbing reading; and few boys with warm blood in
their veins, having once begun the perusal of one of these books, will
willingly lay it down till it is finished.
Boy Boomers
Boy Cattle King
Boy from the West
Ron Kirke’s Mine
Jud and Joe
Rockspur Nine, The
Rockspur Eleven, The
Rockspur Rivals, The
ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE.
Mr. Rathborne’s stories for boys have the peculiar charm of dealing
with localities and conditions with which he is thoroughly familiar.
The scenes of these excellent stories are along the Florida coast and
on the western prairies.
Canoe and Camp Fire
Paddling Under Palmettos
Rival Canoe Boys
Sunset Ranch
Chums of the Prairie
Young Range Riders
Gulf Cruisers
Shifting Winds
ARTHUR SEWELL.
An American story by an American author. It relates how a Yankee boy
overcame many obstacles in school and out. Thoroughly interesting from
start to finish.
Gay Dashleigh’s Academy Days
CAPT. DAVID SOUTHWICK.
An exceptionally good story of frontier life among the Indians in the
far West, during the early settlement period.
Jack Wheeler
The Famous Frank Merriwell Stories.
BURT L. STANDISH.
No modern series of tales for boys and youths has met with anything
like the cordial reception and popularity accorded to the Frank
Merriwell Stories. There must be a reason for this and there is. Frank
Merriwell, as portrayed by the author, is a jolly whole-souled, honest,
courageous American lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. He
has no bad habits, and his manliness inculcates the idea that it is
not necessary for a boy to indulge in petty vices to be a hero. Frank
Merriwell’s example is a shining light for every ambitious lad to
follow. Twenty volumes now ready:
Frank Merriwell’s School Days
Frank Merriwell’s Chums
Frank Merriwell’s Foes
Frank Merriwell’s Trip West
Frank Merriwell Down South
Frank Merriwell’s Bravery
Frank Merriwell’s Races
Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour
Frank Merriwell’s Sports Afield
Frank Merriwell at Yale
Frank Merriwell’s Courage
Frank Merriwell’s Daring
Frank Merriwell’s Skill
Frank Merriwell’s Champions
Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale
Frank Merriwell’s Secret
Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty
Frank Merriwell’s Reward
Frank Merriwell’s Faith
Frank Merriwell’s Victories
VICTOR ST. CLAIR.
These books are full of good, clean adventure, thrilling enough to
please the full-blooded wide-awake boy, yet containing nothing to which
there can be any objection from those who are careful as to the kind of
books they put into the hands of the young.
Cast Away in the Jungle
Comrades Under Castro
For Home and Honor
From Switch to Lever
Little Snap, the Post Boy
Zig-Zag, the Roy Conjurer
Zip, the Acrobat
MATTHEW WHITE, JR.
Good, healthy, strong books for the American lad. No more interesting
books for the young appear on our lists.
Adventures of a Young Athlete
Eric Dane
Guy Hammersley
My Mysterious Fortune
Tour of a Private Car
Young Editor, The
ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.
One of the most popular authors of boys’ books. Here are three of his
best.
Mark Dale’s Stage Venture
Young Bank Clerk, The
Young Bridge Tender, The
GAYLE WINTERTON.
This very interesting story relates the trials and triumphs of a Young
American Actor, including the solution of a very puzzling mystery.
Young Actor, The
ERNEST A. YOUNG.
This book is not a treatise on sports, as the title would indicate, but
relates a series of thrilling adventures among boy campers in the woods
of Maine.
Boats, Bats and Bicycles
DAVID McKAY, Publisher, Philadelphia.
* * * * * *
Transcriber’s note:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.
Alternate or archaic spelling has been retained from the original.