The herald., 1893-10-20

The girl who got this letter was
worthy of the gallant, light hearted boy
who wrote it, anashe sent him pages of
such loving, proud, encouraging words
as only a. proud, loving woman can
write.
81 wish Iswere your wife that / might
go to the front and dress your wounds
myself, my own love. Even as it is I
am capable Of dressing as a boy and go
ing to the camp. 1 quite understand
Constance de Beverley's bowling her
pride and riding for three long years in
Lord Marmion's train. Only, Jack,
there would be no 'bowing of pride in
my case. I should be prouder than ever
if could only do something to show the
whole camp, the whole world, how dear
ly | love my boy"
Then she went on to tell how regularly
she wrote to his mother, keeping her
posted up in all that Jack was doing and
suffering and winning. ''She is my be-
loved mother, and only she can fully
understand how dearly have loved you
ever since that day when 1 went and
kissed you because you said you 's'posed
it was Satan made you naughty"
Violet Kellar had fought hard fight
before she had gained her fathers con-
sent to become engaged to penniless Jack
Colville. The girls brilliantly good
looks, attractive manners and general
cleverness had brought far more eligible
men to her feet But she had been
faithful to her first love through it all
II hate poverty, but love Jack" she
would say, when her father pointed out
to her how far more sensible it would be
of her to marry a man who could give
her good establishment in which he
could stay at home in ease with her than
to link her lot with that of a mere sub
altern in marching regiment.
Probably after they have settled this
disturbance in Egypt his regiment will
be sent off to India for three or four
years, and as he can't marry on his pay
you will be left behind to mediate on
your folly in having engaged yourself"
81 shall marry him as soon as this
affair is over in Egypt, papa, and If he
can't give me bread and water enough
to support me I'll beg it from some one
who can. l don't want good estab-
lishment or a husband who'll stay at
home III ease. want Jack, and | mean
to have himr'
''The boy always got what be wanted,
confound him. her father grumbled
good temperedly, and when he said that
Violet knew that her case was won.
Her mother, after the manner of
mothers, sympathized with the young
peoples romance and hopefully assured
her that Jack would win promotion in
some miraculous way without seeing
much dangerous service.
81 rhen Violet said: Mother, dear,
don want swell wedding. / don't
svc. vant wedding dress-Jack likes
mo il sailor serge better than anything,
but do want to go out and be as near
him as can. Take me to Cairo and let
the chaplain marry MS as soon as the
fighting is over" Mrs. Kellar agreed
to 10 so, and all their acquaintances
declared that the mother was as great a
fool as the daughter.
Violets letter was keeping his heart
warm this day at Tannai. He was feel
ing unaccountably happy and light heart
cd, as after sharp tussle with half a
dozen Arabs. three Of whom he killed
with lis revolver, he was allowed breath
ing time for few minutes, during which
he 1T the word 'Suakin" on the little
bla' pipe that had been his inseparable
COZ .nion during the whole of the cam
pal ga.
Suddenly just as he had lighted and
returned smoking it, he heard frantic
shouS, and glancing up he saw young
Kellar dash forward and fire at some one
behind him (Jack). simultaneously he
felt q sharp agonizing pain in his back
and Knew that he was struck by poi
soned spear. An Arab, who had been
concealed in a bush, had crept out and
stabbed him before yonng Kellar conld
intervene.
He had staggered and then fallen on
his face, and they thought that he was