The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-05-26

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Kitty's hair, were also little stilted
Miss Malone looked him straight in the
face and smiled, half sadly.
"You needn't be afraid l shall break
down or disgrace you on this or any other
occasion, Vincent. / really do wish to see
the poor men sail Lady Celbridge is
going Also
"That is quite different thing. She
has young nephew bound for Egypt
Now, there is no one in whom you are
interested. Therefore must continue to
say think it little morbid of you, my
dear Kitty"
Captain Pelham Strengthened himself,
stroked his moustache with both hands
his fayorite habit, and allowed the subject
to drop.
But it came about that two days after
ward Kitty Malone, seated on an outside
car, with Lady Celbridge as her companion,
drove to the station on a sunny, cloudess
morning, sat silently for half an hour in
the train, and then with rather flushed
cheeks and shining eyes, walked with her
friend to the wharf.
Her glance fell on scores of soldiers in
helmets and serge tunics, many of them
with laughing, boyish faces, almost all
trying to look as if they had at last at
tanned the one desire of their hearts, and
here and there on a woman with swollen
eyes and lips shut tight as if to prevent
any expression of emotion. There were
endless bales Of luggage Uttered on the
stones, horses about to be slung on board,
careless and interested spectators getting
in each others way, talking, advising, ges-
ticulating. Captain Vincent was already
on the wharf, erect, self-satisfed, and we'll
dressed, as usual He advanced toward
the two ladies.
"Well, Lady Celbridge, shall l go now
and find your young man for you? ?"
81 wish you would Dear boy, perhaps
they would allow him to come to the hotel
with me for little while and have talk.
He is my poor sisters only son, and have
been like mother to him. Can | leave
you here, dear Kitty2 thought | would
60 with kind Captain Pelham and find the
boy to save time You have lots of friends
| know, here. Yes, there are the Staceys
and the Egertons; stay with them if you
like"
Miss Malone's eyes were dazzled by the
glare of the sun, and by her constant eff
forts to discern a figure that was familiar
to her among the red tunics. She knew
that when the men were embarked all
would be over and her last chance gone.
She strained her eyes till the tears almost
started into them; it was so difficult to re-
cognize people in these helmets that came
| so low over their foreheads. Suddenly,
almost at her elbow, two sergeants passed
by. The taller one, with the smart, up
right figure, was he at last. He looked at
her with the same lingering gaze that had
attracted her before. But it left differ
ent impression on her now. 1t seemed to
imply reproach; was it even something
stronger-disdain, contempt? Kitty Ma
lone's cheeks were like white roses, as the
young man, without making sign Of re-
cognition, strobe on toward the landing
place All he was a gentleman still, and
he had never been introduced to her,
she thought. He would not of course
think it right to speak to her. But
nevertheless her heart frightened strangely
as she walked restlessly away to join her
1 friends. Soon Vincent was back again
and at her side. She hardly heard his
rather tedious explanations concerning the
great ship lying now as if asleep in the
sun.
"Wouid you like to come on board,
Kitty ?"
Yes, she would And she followed her
fiance across the gangway. Under the
blazing rays she stood impassive, while
Vincent introduced her to officers and
others of his acquaintance, half vacant
smile on her lips, her eyes still wandering
restless and aching over the herd of scarlet
figures. Sergeant Rhodes was now stand
ing some 40 feet away, looking at her
again. Kitty's cheek burned and her
knees shook She glanced at Captain Pei
ham-at this moment laying down the law
to young veterinary surgeon who had vac
uous face. In second she had approached
the sergeant, and was no ding out her little
hand. He hesitated; raised his own to his
helmet, hesitated again, and took it in his.
II have come to say goodbye" i" said
Kitty in the shaking voice of child who
has been punished.
"Ahw
at was really to see you 1 came. 1
wanted to-oh it's so conventional 10
say wish you luck, but you know what |
mean"
His eyes were only reckless today.
They had lost the softer look that had
come into them a few evenings ago for
just an hour.
"Thank you, Miss Malone. And l
wish you all joy in the future, too. For
myself, if you ever think of me enough
to form desire for me, let it only be this,
that may never come home or see you
more"
"0h what have done ?"
The soldiers around her burst suddenly
into song. She started at the volume Of
sound
Sohuld auld acquaintance be for forgot
The familiar and pathetic words sung
by these full, boyish voices cut to her
heart
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne-
And when she turned her head, Sergeant
Rhodes was gone.
Again, as the dusk was closing in, and
Kitty and Lady Celbridge hurried down
to the wharf once more, she saw him. But
he was not looking at her this time. He
was talking to comrade, and laughing so
loud that she could see his white teeth
through the dim light.
When the moon came out and the clouds
moved slowly, like great black birds over
the tunnels of the masts, she saw him once
again. The silver light made his helmet
seem almost dazzling, and his face looked
strange and blanched, too. As the great
ship got slowly under way the soldiers took
their caps and helmets off and cheered as
thew waved them. And the pitiless moon