The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-02

sharp pursuit. While they, the men among
whom he was proud to be hailed as friend
and comrade were speeding on their ride
to the rescue, he, summoned by duty as
imperative and held as obligation every
bit as sacred, would have to turn his back
on the bounding column, on Fort Frayne,
with all that was dearest, fondest, fairest
in life, and hasten eastward by the morn
ing train, or be held as having broken the
spotless record of his company.
Even as the men were leading into line
and the stern voices of the troop sergeants
could be heard calling the roll, and lights
began to CLEAN in the lower windows Of
the officers quarters and pallid women ap-
peared at the doorways, cinging to the
very last TO husband or father Fastening
to his duty, poor Jack stood in front of the
little gateway of the Farrars, gazing aloft
tat the window of Ellis room, where the
dim night light told of the sad and anxious
watch maintained, and with all his soul he
longed to follow the buoyant, bounding
footsteps of the gallant boy who had Just
come rushing by from the ad joining quar-
tiers, admitted at the hallway for the moth
er's parting kiss and blessing and long,
long clinging embrace. With all his heart
bouLd up in that little household, Jack
stood there at the threshold, unbidden, yet
eyes on the face Of the girl he loved since
the night of his startling announce
ment Only once had he caught
sight of the mothers pallid, patient fea-
lures at the window. Had he no rights, no
welcome there-he, who would serve them
with his hearts blood, if that could save
them from i'll or suffering? Booted men
in rough campaign dress brushed him by
with unheard, unanswered words by SOL
der greeting, and the surgeon, hurrying
past, stopped TO say, "Leale begs you will
come to him moment and I can't forbid
it now"
Ormsby bowed assent, yet hardly knew
and presently the boy came springing forth
and, as Ormsby stepped. eagerly forward
with inquiry for Ellis and her mother, the
words died on his lips, for, dashing his
hand across his eyes, Will sped swiftly by,
with only this for greeting: Hello, Jack
Don't stop me now, for Gods sake! I've
Just time to see Kitty" and more than hall
the words came back over his shoulder.
1t was Helen Daunton who, peering forth
from the doorway, saw him standing there
and mercifully babe him enter-Mrs. Far
rar would be only too glad to see him
and gratefully Jack obeyed. The squadron
was forming on the parade as 0rmsby en-
cred into the parlor. There at the window,
with tears still streaming down her gentle
face, stood Mrs. Farrar, gazing out over
the dim expanse at the dark ranks on the
opposite side and longing for one more
peep at her boy, whose horse had been led
away up to the colonel's quarters. She
partly turned as Jack tiptoed in, and wan,
sad smile flickered one moment about her
lips.
You, too, are going" she said, land ]
know how busy you are, but l could not
let you go until had told you-as 1 told
Willy to tell you, if did not See you again
before the start-that from Helen have
learned how true, how noble friend and
helper you have been to her and how you
strove to shield my poor, poor boy. God
bless you, Jack-I shall always call you
that now, for you seem like my own to me-
God bless you for all you've done and tried
to do for me and mine" She had cIasped
both his hands now, and the tears were
raining down her face.
Before he could answer, a little knot of
horsemen rode past the gate. One of them
refined aside and waved his hand toward
the window where the mother stood. Again
she turned thither with love and dread
with pride and sorrow and warming in
her gaze. Then trumpet sounded. and
the tall young soldier spurred suddenly
/ away.
Forgive me, Jack. / know you have to
| go. Don't let me keep you now" she