The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-05-12

very well, said the Major quietly
'Think it over If you still think it is
best not to give it, tell her all about it.
But | wouldn't ask you to do mean
thing"
There was something in the quiet
strength of his face, in the steady look of
eyes, that inspired confidence.
off | write and let you know, and we
come, may tell her afterward what L
did?'
"You may tell her anything you like
afterward Nothing will make much diff
ference then" he added to himself"
CHAPTER II.
Dear Major Huddlestone: If 1 had known
that you were the V. c. who did such splen.
did things two months ago and got wounded,
and all that, | would have given my promes
at once, for know you wouldn't do a mean
thing. l asked aunt, and she said YOU
couldn't though of course | didn't show her
your card, nor tell her what you asked me not
to. When | read your name on the card in
the hansomb, aunt was looking out in front
and didn't see, Jumped so that trod on
her toes, and couldn't keep my feet still,
and, she got little angry, but kept your
card hidden and didn't say word. Do you
think | shall ever get in the army? | want
to do brave things like you; but aunt says
shan't, becos Ecan't spell, as il spellin' had
anything to do with spikeing guns, or going
without food for two days that the other sick
men might have more, and carrying your
friend from under fire. Could you spell well
at my ageP If had heard aunt call you by
your name this afternoon | should have
known at once, and could have askt you
how you got into the army, Aunt and have
been talking about you ever since. She told
me it was you that kept that promes and
saved the game-keeper's life, and nearly lost
your own with the poochers. And l know
she had been crying, for her eyes were red
when she was dressed for dinner, and think
she cried because you did such splendid
things. For she cried before, that time when
you got made V. c. Girls are so funny,
they cry when we want to shout hip hip hoo
ray.
Yours truly, STEPHEN DALE.
81 must not forget to say that we are going
to the Army and Navy Stores the day after
tomorrow at IL o'clock, and l shall be glad
when it is over, for though | know it isn't
mean secret, aunts eyes always seem to go
through fellow when he has got one"
The Major could quite understand the
latter sentence. He felt depressed already
at the thought of meeting those clear gray
eyes with the guilty consciousness upon
him Of having corrupted her faithful fol-
lower to act traitor against her.
1t was difficult to say which felt most
ashamed and uneasy, Major Huddlestone
or. the schoolboy, when they met at IL
o'clock at the entrance of the Stores She
was there, and her pleasantly-expressed
astonishment at meeting Major Huddle-
stone again made Steve grow as red as
young turkey-cock, and the Major look any
where, rather than meet his desperate, re-
morseful glowering young eyes. Steve had
seen how white she had grown at first eatoh-
ing sight of the Major, and he knew at once
that he had done dreadfully wrong. 1t
was some slight relief to see her greeting
him without anger few seconds later, and
to hear her saying that she was glad to
see him again before he left England.
This relief grew as, walking behind his
aunt and the Major, he heard one or two
whispers from people passing them, as some
men here and there recognized Major Hud-
dlestone, and pointed him out as the man
who had, at the head of a forlorn hope,
spiked the enemy's guns the other day." 4
In spite of his remorse his heart began
to swell with kind of proud possession.
He was in fellowship with this splendid
man and soldier. He forgot how slender
and precarious the link between them was
His former confidence in the V. G. re-
turned, and with the determination that he
would tell his aunt "all about it directly
they left the Stores, when the term Of his
promise would be ended, he gave himself
up to the entire enjoyment of the position.
He had heeu walking slowly and modify
behind, az he revolyed the points of the
situation. Now he hurried upstairs after
them to catch them up, and to enjoy every
moment of his hero's company. His aunt
had stopped before the millinery depart
ment.
They were waiting for him apparently,
as they both watched him, bounding up
the stairs as if he were the most interest
ing thing in creation. The fact was that,
owing to some thoughtlessly- re-
miniscence of Mrs. Dale's, of her old school
days, the conversation had suddenly come
to an end between them.
Steve flung himself like an avalanche
upon them.
Major Huddlestone had left his sling at
home that day. He did not wish to offer
her his left hand again, nor did he intend
either, to let her GO without their hands
meeting. That light warm touch of hers
had sent throbbing of exquisite pleasure
through his being. But when the young
Steve, rough, impetuous, full of eager
pride and delight, flung himself on him,
and thrust his own arm through the wound
ed one, the sharpness of the pain sent the
man white to the lips.
"Oh, Steve, Steve See what you have
done. Oh Major Huddlestone, he has
hurt you," Mrs. Dale said, with a sudden
rush of tears to her eyes, which drowned
their hardness and GOODNESS and set the
beautiful mouth quivering into tender,
pitiful, loving lines.
at is nothing" he said, and to prove it
laid the hurt arm about the boys should
ers, and though every moment was physi-
cal torture he was scarcely conscious of it
in the exquisite delight that filled his heart
and brain. At the revelation of her face
a great inspiration came to him.
.does not want to buy old ladies'
caps lid. eLet him come with me;
| wants. - gun, How long will
you be?"
"About quaftef sA>sn hour" she
said.
The next quarter of an hour was one
of unmitigated bliss to Steve, As for the
Major, it may fairly be said that for once
in his life he was not conscious of any
difference between one end of gun and
the other. He bought something at last,