The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-08-30

huytn NUTS
Yes. II he has TO encounter privation,
hardship. or danger, in the pursuit of his
calling, her voice shouli he the FIRST urge
him onward and under no crcumsta noes
should she seek by weak murmurs TO with
hold him from the smallest particle Of his
duty as soldier. think that wife should
always identify herself with the spirit Of her
husbands profession, whatever IL be; there
fore to soldiers wife the watchwords Of her
life should be honor, duty, and obedi.
ence Y ~
well done, Blanche - said Ronald, look.
ing admiringly at her, ms the color came into
her cheeks, and her eyes sparkled with en-
thusiasm. And, my child" he added, I" I
don't think you fall far short Of your IDEAL"
"Oh, Ronald, | fear I do! A soldiers
wife should be brave at heart, while IL
feel should be very coward, if--if---"
She could not finish her speech or speak
her meaning aloud. Neither was there any
need for II. Ronald knew we'll what, in
spite OF her brave words, was the dread of
her life, as IL must be that Of every soldiers
wife.
lie turned the conversation into less ex.
citing topic, and presently made her 60 to
her room. Then he strelled out before the
house to enjoy cigar, and think over what
had to be done on the morrow. That II was
bitter disappointment to himself to settle
down at home into an inactive life was moth
ing; his wife was, and always would be, his
first consideration.
Al the appointed hour Oh the morrow nj.
ternoon he was again at Col. Deans's, the
two officers to whom he bad applied, Mai.
Caruthers and Capt. Ainslee, following close
upon him. When the Colonel appeared his
face wore look Of concern.
douglas, my dear fellow" he said, "I
am so sorry TO have misled you. We reck.
oned yesterday, you know, that the mail
went out to morrow, but in fact II Is this
evening that It goes out. cannot think
how came to make such q mistake"
They smiled inwardly. No man In the
regiment, except the Colonel. could have
made 1t /; for the coming In and going out of
the mails was the one break in their mcnoto.
nous life, eagerly looked forward to and
calculated upon but the absent. mind edness
OF Col. Deaue was amusing and always al
lowed for.
al knew the mail came in to day from
England-and, by the way, my letters and
papers are this minute delivered-but Pm
sure thought tomorrow was the day It
went out" continued the Colonel. "Will
a weeks delay matter much to you,
DouglasS'
There need not be any delay, Colonel"
answered Capt. Douglas. "There's plenty
of lime to write the application and post Il
by this evenings mail, II You have no OBJ
lection"
is there9 Well. let us get to II, then, ("
said the relieved Colonel. "My letter is
already written"
The business was soon finished, for Col.
Dean was anxious 10 get to his letters and
see what news the mail had brought him.
ROland's signature, and thoss of his two
brother officers, were affixed to the document
that was to accompany the Cnlonel's letter,
aud the whole sealed in readiness.
Shall send it to the post with my own
dispatches p said the Colonel In good
nature; and Douglass thanked him and
acquiesced.
The three young men then wished Col.
Deane good evening, and went ont together.
81 am awfully sorry we are going to loss
you, old fellow" remarked Mai. Caruthers.
81 suppose it Is on account of Mrs. Douglass
health"
"Yes;' entirely. Otherwise should
never have thought Of leaving the dear old
regiment, for love II heartily, aud sincerely
wish had at least once been called on to
light for its colors before left them"
Aye, yes no donbt. Well it's great
PITY
As Maj. Caruthers spoke he was opening
a newspaper which he had taken from his
pocket, remarking that he had not yet read
a word OF news, for the letters were only do
livered to him as he was coming out
81 say, Douglass" he exclaimed, after
CHANGING at the paper for moment in
silence, did see on your papers-I hardly
took it in-that the regiment yOu wish to
exchange into is the -thf'
Yes" replied Capt. Douglass. 'Why
do you ask %
"Well, IL was wondering whether you
know that it is ordered out TO Egyptl 1t
says so here" touching his Tme'.
Says WHAT don't understand
THE TIL, which you have applied to
join, is under orders for Egypt" repeated
the Major, speaking gravely. "Iwas think
Ing OF Mrs. Douglas. You win havs TO go
straight TO Egypt
Ordered to Egypt-what to the relief of
Khartoum and all the rest of It'll" gleefully
cried Capt. Ainslie, who was young, un-
married officer, full of spirit and daring.
ooh, Douglas, you are in luck | Don't |
wish had had the chance OF all expedi.
tions, one to rescue that glorious man, Cor.
don, would be the most to my taste"
A warming glance from the Major checked
his ll.timed excitement. He was husband
himself, and understood better than the
Young and thOughtless fellow the struggle
| shoS nu'e NO e"NihS Pioco III ANouhiu Jouk-
lass breast.
They parted then, for Capt. Douglas wish
ed them good day somewhat abruptly.
"Wby, what has come over Douglas %
cried the younger man TO the Major, when
they were alone. 81 should have thought
he, of all men in the regiment, wonld have
been overioyed at the prospect of seeing
active service, and We all know what hero
Gordon is to him. Did you see how he
lookedf Surely he cannot be showing the
white feather p
"The white fsatherl" was the others in
dignant reply. How dare yon mention
such thing in connection with Douglas
Every one of MS knows, or ought 10 know,
that his courage is dauntless and his honor
unsullied. But do you forget that lie almost
idolzss his yOnng wife, and that she Is In 80
precarious state of health that the news of
to night may possibly be her death blow ~
:" never thought of that" replied Aims.
lee, rspenting hia hasty words. "What do
you think he will dor Heis not absolutely
pledged in honor to join the -th, Is he"
The Major screwed up his lips 81 can.
not say; it is a nice point; but, whatever
may be his decision, !, for one, shall be sure
that 1t is good and honorable"
In the meanwhile poor Ronald Douglas
was going toward home, chaos of thoughts
whirling through his brain, OF which per-
haps the only one standing out in distinct
shape was that lie must hurry hack to
Blanche, who might, and probably would,
have already made the discovsry--for shs
was snre to have opened some Of the news.
papers just delivered. IN her weak state II
would certainly throw her into fearful
state Of agitation.
And he must sooths her-but how by
telling her that lie would give up joining
the TIL that there might bs yet time TO
get back his letter from the Colonel before it
was posted-that he, Ronald Douglas, whose
whole heart lay in his profession, who had
all an English soldiers horror of the mersst
ssmblanos of cowardice or dislonor. woula
tel! his Colonel that hs wished to give up tho
regiment he had fixed upon, because 1t was
ordered to the rescue Of one Of the noblest
souls that England ever knew, of ous who
was his own ideal of all that was best aud
noblest on earth-at once the truest Chris
tian and bravest soldier this age has known,
the sanity and heroic Gordon How could
he do this
But was there not another side TO the phi,
turef Words that he had heard but the