The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-05
CHAPTER Y.
MISS sMKRDoN GROWS SARCASTIC.

"They have come at last, as you always
said they would, exclaimed Hugh Fleming,
as be entered the Lyndens' drawing room
one gloomy day about the middle of No
vember, "our orders for the east"
Eyes, 1 thought So" replied the young
lady, as she shook hands, but III by no means
the exultant tones with which people
usually greet the ful6llment Of their
prophecies. Who of US have not suffered
from that ever recurring usually detestable.
81 told you So
How is it that our accession TO the re-
wards of this life are never announced be-
forehand, while its evils and misfortunes are
so industriously foretold to US!
Hugh Fleming should have been in high
spirits at having attained bis hearts desire,
but somehow he was not. He had come to
pay a farewell visit-he had had a good
many to pay, and had put saying Eood-by
20 the Lyndens of to the last. Good-by
when it is for an indefinite period, is often a
painful thing to say even though it is mer
cifully yelled from US that it is good by for
ever. Still no such thought as this op-
was off to the Crimea, Of course, everyone
who wore a sword was bound to 20 there
now, he would come back again in due time
q captain, perhaps a major, who knows!
But he was quite conscious that saying fare
well to Nellie Lyndsn was the hardesl task
tat had ever fallen TO his lot yet. He
knew that he loved her dearly, he knew that
he ought not to tell her So ard yet he was
guilty conscious, that if not in words, he
had been telling her 80 for some weeks past,
as If a genuine love story is not told long
before is is put into matter Of fact words.
"Ilove you" requires no speech TO proclaim
il, and put what guard we may upon our
tongues, no woman needs their assistance
to learn it. After the first conventional
speeches, a silence fell upon those two. 1t
was not that, as a rule, they had not plenty
TO say to each other, but Of late they had
found the keeping up the ordinary stream
OF talk wearisome. Both were conscious
that there was a barrier which had not been
broken; but what they had both known it
must end in, had come at last. The word
Goodbye bad to be spoken; the initiative
was with Hugh, and he was sore puzzled
how TO begin.
| once heard a well>known soldier who
had won for himself countless decorations,
asked in a CLUB smoking room what was the
nastiest bit Of work he had ever had.
He paused little before be ans~ cred and
1t was easy to see that be was recalling the
scene to his minds eye.
Breaking TO lady" be replied at last,
shat her husband had been killed at the
head Of the stormers that morning.
Bidding good-by to the woman be loves is
the hardest thing for soldier when ordered
on active service.
81 suppose they have given you very
short notice. to finish withln said Miss Lyn-
den, woman-ike the first to relieve the
swkwardness Of the situation.
EYES," rejoined Hugh, 1--WE are all sup
posed to be ready to 60 now at a moments
notice. We embark at Liverpool the day
after tomorrow. OF course, we're glad to
go; but we're sorry to say good-by to many
who've-who've been kind to u.s."
1--WE shall miss you all very much
hear we're TO be left quite forloru for the
present, as you are not to be replaced. Is
that so!n
Hugh felt the situation was intolerabIe.
81 don't know and don 'tcare, " he replied
passionately. 81 know oughtn't to say it,
Nell-you will let me call you Nell for the
last time-won't you"
Her lips moved slightly, but she made no
reply.
Il ought not to say it. Nell, know - he
continued, "but | cannot go out there with
out telling you love you. am not going
10 ask you TO promise yourself to me, | will
only ask you to think of me, and 10 think
kindly of me- Remember, when you read
any account of our doings out there-re,
member, there is one amongst us who can
never forget you, and If ever do ANYTHING
that brings me into notice, promise to send
me just one line Of congratulation.
1t has been before mentioned that Nell
7
woman. bu. 1t is just these self-rellant
heroines vino disappoint one so cruelty at
the crucial moment. If she was sslf-reliant
she was also a warm-hearted girl, aud Il
apologize for herr all she did at this critical
moment was to burst Into food of tears
and gasp out:
"Oh. Hughm
For moment Hugh Fleming was dis
mayed-tears usually do disc0mpose a man
and deeply repented him of his rash
avowal, but when lie saw Nellie smile
through her tears it gave him the courage to
become practical, aud passing his arm
round her waist he did what was obviously
his duty under the kissed
them away.
st was very foolish Of me, I know.
Hugh" said the girl at last, Il know Won
must go, but 1t seems bitter to part from
you just now, and then, no doubt, there are
scores of women in my place, still, remem-
Der what those terrible lists are TO us. All.
it was bad enough to read them after the
Alma and Inkermann, but when YOU are
out there, my own, the very rumors of
fighting will make my heart turn sick.n
Nell, Nell, this will never do; remember.
my darling, you are soldiers sweetheart
now.o
II know" she replied, smiling, land am
not going to be foolish any longer. But.
Hugh, I've hardly had time yet to get used
to the position. You will let me come to
Liverpool and see you off. won't you!'
mo, / think not; you see, there is no time
TO announce our engagement now, and
can't bear to think of GU in the turmoil
there's sure to be, all by yourself"
Il don't care who knows of our engage
nent," exclaimed the girl, proudly.
mo. Nell" replied Fleming, ''but that's
Just where it is, they will see you down at
The docks and won't know of it.n
Nor do / care about that. but l do care
very much about seeing the last of you"
Il can't help it," replied Hugh, "you
must be guided by me in this matter. No,
Nell, my dear. we will say our good-bys
lere. There is one thing, you know, we can
write to each other by every mail"
"Ah, yes, and mind YOU do so. | may
Eeep you to myself the whole afternoon
low, may notN
Willingly" rejoined Fleming. ~ am
FOUR prisoner for the rest of the day if YOU
shoose5 l suppose had better tell your
ather