Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-24

corner. "T wish he had arrived.
There's no danger. know. but still one
cannot help feeling just q littlo uneasy
on such night as this. wish the boy
had arrived"
Sergeant Strongc rose to his feet and
began 10 pace the room restlessly. He
was feeling little anxious. The timo
at which his son was to arrive had come,
and as yet there was no sign Of him.
He continued pacing the room for some
time. Again be looked at the clock. IL
was now considerably past the appointed
hour, but stiil there was no sign OF the
boys coming. Every moment the Ser
geant's uneasiness was becoming greater.
" What can be OBTAINING him ? he
exclaimed, anxiously. 81 wonder can
ANYTHING have happened to him ? He 10
not, as rule, unpunctual, and tonight.
- he knows I'm awaiting him, ne would
be more than usually particular TO be in
time. | can't understand 1T. wish be
were here"
just then another terrific blast struck
against the windows and made them rat
Tie wildly in their firm sashes it sent a
SILVER through sergeant stronge's frame
and filled him with IN indefinite feeling
of apprehension.
Z" wish 10 goodness knew where he
is "he said, despondingly.
He had scarcely spoken when he heard
knock at the door.
{" Thank Heaven" he muttered In
relieved tone; "there he il at last. y
Hurrying away he opened the door.
When he did so ne stepped back in sur
prise. The person of the door Was not
his son Charlie, but hig nephew Jack
Whyte.
"Why, Jack !" the Sergeant ezclaim-
cd. angry at the disappointment.
"What brings you here at this hour OF
the night"
"Let me in, sir, answered Jack. al
have come about Charlie.
"About Charlie ! repeated the star
tied lawyer, turning very pale. "Theres
nothing wrong with him He's not III.
"No. sir, he's not Ill, replied Jack
uneasily. "Let me In, cir, and Ill tell
you all about it"
Sergeant Stronge closed the door and
led the way into his coy sitling-room.
When Jack Whyte entered he turned
and faced him.
"Jsck," he said in a husky voice, al
see there is something wrong. What ID
it?"
Jack hesitated for a mement. He
seemed bali afraid to speak.
"COme, come, man" cried the old
lawyer angrly. "Out with it Do you
think Pm O woman or child, that you
can't trust yourself to tell me bad news ?
Don't keep me in suspense. Let me
know the worst 10 Charlie dead J."
"No, no, sir" said Jack Whyte
hastily, otis not that-its quite differ
ent Its-it's-' and again he hesitated.
"Well, if it's not that, cried the
Sergeant, "what under Heaven is it ?
For Gods sake tell me what has hap
pened."
"WeIl, sir, it's about a serysnt-girl at
THE Mitre,'" said Jack Whyte, still
speaking III an embarrassed way. " he
has written to me TO break the news to
you" And Jack paused.
What is the news asked the Ser
geant, with fearful calmness.
Well Sir" Jack stumbled on, "it
seems, sir that lie and she were"
he again paused.
go on" said the Sergeant, now
CHASTITY pale.
We're to be married this morning "
The old lawyer gszed at Jack Whyte
for q moment in silence. Then he sank
into bis easy-cbair and covered bis face
with his hands. Thus he sat in silence
for what seemed to Jack Whyte hours.
At length he spoke.
only God !" he muttered, "and this
is the reward for all my labor and suffer
ing and self.denial