The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-05-09
I I

MY dear Kitty. 1t is very foolish and
emotional Of you to wish TO see the troop
ship start You will probably be quite
overcome, all the more sO''-and here
Capt Pelham patted his betrotheds
curly head-"as we've. my darling
shall so soon too have to say good-by to
one another"
Vincent could never entirely divest
himself Of a certain stiffness of manner,
even when he was most genuinely
moved. His gestures. as. bending over
her, he stroked Kitty's hair, were also
a little stited
Miss Malone looked him straight in the
face, and smiled, half sadly.
You needn't be afraid 1 shall break
down or disgrace you on this or any
other occasion, Vincent. l really do
wish to see the poor men sail. Lady
Celbridge is going also"
THAT is quite a different thing She
has a young nephew bound for Egypt.
Now, there is no one in whom You are
interested. Therefore 1 must continue to
say I think it a little morbid Of you, my
dear Kitty"
Capt Pelham Strengthened himself,
stroked his moustache with both hands
his favorite habit, and allowed the sub
ject TO drop.
But 1T came about that two days after
ward Kitty Malone, seated on an out
side car, with Lady Celbridge as her
companion, drove TO the station on a
sunny, cloudless morning, sat silently for
half an hour in the train. and then with
rather flushed cheeks and shining eyes.
walked with ner friend to the wharf.
ola fell Of Soldiers f,
helmets and serge tunics. many of them
with laughing, boyish faces, almost all
trying TO look as II 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 we're 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 gesticula ting. Capt.
Vincent was already on the wharf. erect.
self-Satisfied, and well-dresSed as usual.
He advanced toward the two ladies'
well, Lady Celbridge. shall 1 go now
and find your young man for your
II wish you would Dear boy. per-
haps they would allow him to come TO
the hotel with me for little while, and
have a talk. He is my poor sisters only
son, and / have been like a mother to
him. Can 1 leave you here. dear Kitty?
| thought / would go with kind Capt.
Pelham and find the boy, TO save time
You have lots of friends, 1 know, here.
Yes, there are the Staceys and the Egg
ertons; stay with them If you like"
Miss Malone'S eyes were dazZled by
the glare Of the sun, and by her con-
slant efforts to discern a figure that was
familiar to her among the red tunics
She knew that when the men were en-
barked, all would be over and her last
chance gone. She strained her eyes till
the tears almost started into them. 1t
was so difficult to recognize 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, upright figure
was he at last. He looked at her with
the same lingering gaze that had at
tracted her before. But Ii left differ
ent impression on her now. 1t seemed
TO imply reproach-was IL even some
thing stronger-disdain, contempt? Kitty
MalOne's cheeks were like white roses,
as the young man. without making a
sign of recognition, 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
Rut nevertheless her heart frightened
strangely as she walked restIessly away
TO toin her friends. Soon Vincent was
back again, and at her side. She hard
lv heard his rather tedious explanations
concerning the great ship lying now as
IL asleep in the sun.
would you like to come on board.
Kitty?"
fiance across the gangway. Under the
blazing rays she stood impassive while
Vincent introduced her to officers and
others of his acquaintance, a half va
cant smile on her lips. her eyes stil
restless and aching over the
herd of scarlet figures. Sergt Rhodes
was now standing some forty feet away.
looking at her again Kitty's cheeks
burnt and her knees shook. She glanced
at Capt Pelham--at this moment lay
Ing down the law to young veterinary