Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-01
her faithful follower to act traitor against


her.
II was difficult to say which felt most
ashamed aud uneasy, Major Huddlestone
or the scheelboy, whom they met at ii
O'Clock al the entrance OF the Stores
She was there, and her pleasantly-ex-
pressed astonishment at meeting Major
Huddlestone again made Steve grow as
red as young turkey-cock, and the Ma
jor lock anywhere, rather than meet his
desperate, remorseful, glowering young
ewes. Steve had seen how white she had
grown at first catching sight Of the
Major. and he knew at once that he had
done dreadfully wrong. IL was some
slight relief TO see her greeting him
without anger a few seconds later, and
to hear her saying that she was glad TO
ace 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 Huddlestone, and pointed him out
as the man who had. at the head OF a for
lorn hope, spiked the enemy's guns the
other day"
In spite OF his remorse his heart be-
gan TO swell with kind of proud pos
session. He was in fellowship with this
splendid man and soldier. He forget
how slender and precarious the link be-
tween them was. His former confidence
in the V. G. returned, and with the deter
mInation that he would tell his aunt
call 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 been walking
slowly and moodily behind, as he re-
volved the points OF the situation. Now
he hurried upstairs after them to catch
them up, and to enjoy every moment OF
his heros company. His aunt bad
stopped before the millinery department.
They were waiting for him apparently,
as they both watched him. bounding up
the stairs as il he were the most interest
ing thing in creation. The fact was
that. owing to some thoughtlessly-ex-
pressed reminiscence Of Mrs. Dale's. of
her old school-dsys, 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 homo 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 seat throbbing of exquisite
pleasure through his being. But when
the young Steve, rough, impetuous. full
of eager pride and delight, flung himself
on ham, and thrust his own arm through
the wounded one, the sharpness of the
pain sent the man white to the lips.
ooh, Steve, Steve! See what you
have done. Oh Major Huddlestone,
he has hurt you," Mrs. Dale said, with
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
shoulders, and though every moment
was physical torture he was scarcely con-
scious of it in the exquisite delight that
filled his heart and brain. At the reve-
latiOn of her face e great inspiration
came to him.
Gle does not want to buy old ladies'
caps" be said. "Let him come with
me I want to look at gun. How long
will you be 2"
About a quarter of an 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 mt
last, or rather Steve, who discussed the
matter in its fullest bearings with the
attendant, bought something for him.
The Major was only possessed with one
get back TO the millinery.
1--WE mustn't keep your aunt waiting"
he said, sinking deeply and shamelessly
into the gulf of hypocrisy. 81 will
leave you to settle. Wait here until L
come back. shan't be long"
Gan right, SIR said the boy, de-
lighted TO obey such man, and still
more delighted at his obedience being
required in such a spot, where the at
mosphere was redolent OF sport and war.
There was food for amusement and
for hours. Besides, it was
something even to pay with another
mans money for such gun as he was
still lovingly handling.
The Major had to wait five minutes at
the entrance to the millinery department
before she came out.
Where is Steve ?" she asked, sud-
denly feeling shy and nervous without
his innocent, clustering presence.
81 have promised him an ice, said
the Major unblushingly, so easy grow
the steps of deception when the first one
is taken. "Will you come to the re-
freshment-room with us?"
1t was the only place he could think
Of. 1t was not very private place, but
there was always the chance of table
in the corner Forums favors the brave.
There was a table unoccupied, and, as If
this man were her particular fsvorite,
there was no one seated at the tables in
the immediate neishborhood. He would
have to make haste. People would be
trooping in TO luncheon.
But when tho Major once came to q
decision he always set to work to carry it !
put on the spot He had made up his
mind to spike those guns which were
pouring such a deadly fire on his dying |
md wounded comrades, and no had |
ouckled on his sword and walked out and |
done it.
He ordered ices for three as the waiter
1ustled up. The ices were brought, and |
began to melt in the heat Immediately. |
But neither he nor she noticed that they
we're there.
"a man feels strange coming back
10 England after so many years alb
he said. "There have been SO
many changes"
"You should not have stayed away so
ong."
"What was there TO bring me back ?"
severe your old friends Of so little ac-
ount then ?" she exclaimed, with a flash
# angry disdain.
81 had not many friends in England
-ou know that / had no relations that
l. N...aA