The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-23
CHAPTER XVI.
eEcrRrTY

CHAPTER XVI
sEcCIrTY.
The Blankshire regiment was OF to Tx
east 20 suddenly that but LITTLE leave
even Of few hours length, could b'
granted to its officers for the purpose oil
making ialcwells Beautiful jun he'd
been especially favored by the colonel, and
had been GRANTED permission 10 leavs
Blankhampton only from 8 oclocl. N tho
afternoon until officers call the following
morning
Naturally enough. all the officers wished
to have the Same privilege, but young
Earle was not among those who pressed
for It; SO. a. lie was anything but favor
'.e with his commanding odiccr. he was
lot one OF those VINO were singled out u
receive It,
Ia truth. the lad vas anything bat onx
i5us L. 20 70 Earies Hope Il his father
and sister had been in town, Il IS probable
+ that be would have begged hafd iof leave
and have made his farewell TO them and
other farowells az The same time. But
being az Earles Hope. and alone Tommy
had no heart for begging favor OF bis
colonel whom ho knew disllkec him that
be might 30 aud face Nancy and all tho
airs and gTaces she would give herself On
account Of what she knew about him.
No. and besides that. the way out Of the
difficulty was so easv leave was so din
cult 20 cct-iu fact next door 70 impossi
blo--and by not asking with much anxiety
for il. he got passed over for those that
did, so that II was az easy matter 70 write
homo that he was grieved not 10 be able
to como and say good.by, but that leave
was an impossible favor to obtain With 80
little service as lie had.
Unfortunately for tie success Of this
wise calculation. Beautiful Jim spent his
few hours Of leave IN going % Earles Hope
arriving there late In the evening ana
having bur two hours 20 stay.
And In answer 20 tho old mans onx.
lous inquiries. he replied that he was
afraid Earlo lad not tho most remote
chance IN the world Of getting even six
hours leave out Of DiankEampton, while
70 Nancy he confded the fact that her
brother had not got leave because lie lad,
10 his knowledge not asked forit
"Did he tell you So" she asked. Did
he give you any especial message 20 my
father
Not he. my dearest, no never speaks TO
me ii he can help Il, and you can under
stand that don't exactly seek him out
as my friend, Jim answered 80, the
tho fact was. thought, not being much
OF favorite with The chief, that he might
have a good deal of difficulty in getting
that or any other privilege, 60 when got
mine put In q word FOR him. / thought
yo.r father would certainly be very anx
ious 10 see him. However the colonel
cut my hin, precious short. If Earle
wants leave, jim, he said, sharply. be-
can at least ask for ir; and so, Of course
| hadn't any more to say. though !
guessed from that that the young beggar
wasn't keen to come home Qt all.
Nancy understood Der brothers feelings
well enough; she knew that he licked
courage. after what had happened, -
come homo and face his gallant old "a
Tiers honest eyes; sko knew that be did
not dare TO face her at all.
1t was, therefore, with pang OF dis
may that within ten minutes Of sayin.
good-by 10 her Jim, Mr. Earle came to heI
and told her that lie had given her maid
and his man orders TO DO ready 10 start
for Blanlzhaupton by tho earliest train IN
tho morning, which passes Marchton
their nearest railway station "at twenty
minutes past g." he ended, briskiy
Nancy stared at him Tor moment
simply specifies with surprise But
father. my dear. she exclaimed III vii
knock you up altogether, YOU are not Ct
lor it-you
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Ny only son
does not 60 OH 20 active service every
day, he answered, brusouely, and time
is precious, they leave Blankhampton Oh
Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.
So TO Beautiful jim 5 unspeal.able dc
Light. and to Iommy's unutterable dis
gust, Oh the following morning, before
any ono Of tho BlanLshlrc regiment had
so much as had tlno 70 think about any
thing 50 comfortable IS luncheon, Mr. and
Miss Earle arrived at the infantry bar
racks IN a hotel carriage.
And Tommy looked as lie telt-dole
However, he had no excuse but t. 90
through with the day rs best 10 could
although he wished himself already in
Burmah over and over again. and fairly
hated Nancy for the part which she
played, giving him limp hand for EN- in
slant without a shake in IL, looking night
over his head when she spoke to him.
giving him the edge Of her Jaw TO hiss il
ho wished TO 90 50. Only once, indeed
did she look at or speak 70 him fair d
straight.
stuart. she said, sharply, when they
were Just back TO town again, 'tho
colonel says you will be free At o'clock
to come and see US. I want 10 see you
alone. Do you understand"
Can YOU arrange it, he asked, sulkiiy
not daring 10 refuse.
Yes. Mr.. Bereslord Is coming at tia.
time also, and | will take you into nv
bedroom while say what want 10 say
to you Il will hot take mo more than
ten minutes"
Very well, said he, curly.
Miss Earle looked a. him--sni size (
knew him pretty well, 50 Cas able 10 read |
what was passing through his mind as
easily Is il he had been book
And don't attempt to shirk il shs 4
said. sharply because I've got something 4
to say 10 you, and I mean to say it before
you 20. Do you understand
"Oh, perfectly, returned Tommy, With I
a sneor. The sheer reused every feeling
Of evil that had any iOothold in Nancys /
gentle heart, they were not mauy. but t
they were enough 10 mako Tommy thor /,
oughiy uncomfortable for the rest If that I
day
If you fail to keep your tryst, sho /
said, eoldly. Our father knows every /
thing before o'clock tonight" ind then I
she turned from him without another
word and rcjoined the others, who were
walking toward the carriage.
SO almost before rho clock a little way
up the High street had struck the hour.
young Tommy made his appearance in the 4
sitting room which was fort time being /
that OF lis father and sister, and q feT /
minutes later was followed BY bis com,
radc pcanfifnl lin