Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-11-02
n, and the future looked very dark

Iouf ptoteSe has uOb cent my
daughter has no dowry; it would be
to unite hunger and thirst He was
right. Forget the young lady. II
you feel disappointed, console your
self with studying military tactics. -
The Lieutenant thanked him, but he
did net try to console himself. As
officers were needed to 60 to Tonquin,
he offered his services. The follow
ing week he embarked at Brest. And
while with n bursting heart he was
borne away from France on the heav-
ing waves of a stormy sea, the young
girl, happy and thoughtless, danced
in the bright light, careless of all but
hel Joy.
Two years had passed away. The
General still gave brilliant fetes at his
elegant home, but the young girl who
had formerly turned all heads was
seen there no more. The Colonel of
the 123d had died suddenly, just as he
was about to receive his stars. A
monotonous life had succeeded the
gay one led by his wife and daughter.
All the brilliant officers who had hov-
cred around had disappeared with the
pleasure and gayety. The new Colonel
also had wife and daughter; these
new rulers received all the attention,
while for the old ones was reserved
the distant bow in the streets, then
the sudden passing on.
The widow and her daughter ex.
changed bitter smile on these occa-
sions as they continued their walk.
They went into the park to enjoy the
sunshine OF fine autumn which
gllded the marble statues and the
turning leaves of the great horse. chest.
nuts. They sat down, and listening
to the military band seemed to see a
CLEAN of their lost happiness. 1t
seemed to them as if nothing had
changed, and as if they might hear be-
hind them any moment the Colonel's
voice saying: "Good afternoon,
ladies; to-day the 12lth is giving the
concert; its music does not equal
ours"
But the shouts of children playing
on the grass near by was the only
sound they heard. The mother, with
a sigh, tried to read the paper
through glasses dimmed by tears,
while the daughter cast longing
glance toward her former admirers,
who scarcely knew her now. She was
nearly twenty five, but her face re.
fined by sorrow was more beautiful
than ever. She was like flower re-
freshed and purified by a storm. She
had lost all that had made her so
capricious and disquieting. Grave
and sweet, she seemed to be doing
penance for her past.
One day she saw new face among
the officers who promenaded past,
chatting and laughing. In
a moment she was transported to the
Generals ballroom, and she saw again
her timid lover motionless n corner,
devouring her with his eyes.
Mamma, there is the Lieutenant !"
He saw her too, for he grew pale. and
with kept in hand came up to her.
The widow hastily folded her paper
and, pointing to vacant chair, said,
with kindly smile:
"Ah d! is that you, Lieutenant? What
a long time since we have met. We
are truly glad to see you. But pardon
me /; 1 called you Lieutenant, but see
you have third stripe on your
sleeve"
Then blushing he related how at the
end of SIX months campaign he had
been promoted to Captaincy after
the affair of Nam.Dimh. After that he
had been shut up in Tuyen- Quan with
his commander. This terrible siege
lasted five weeks, and they had to con-
,tantly beat back the furious Chinese,
whose living waves dashed against the
walls of the ruined fortress. He had
oeen wounded the last day in a
supreme effort; then from afar, above
he clamor OF the yellow hordes, he
lad heard the bugler of the French
deliverance. Oh, the JOY
If that moment! He saw the enemy
lee, the tricolor appear, then he sank
lown without regret
His condition appeared so serious
hat he was sent back decorated with
he cross. During the voyage he had
apidly recovered, and on his arrival
le found that he had been recon-
nended for promotion to the rank of
dajor. The ladies listened in silence.
The mother, with her knowledge of
he profession, knew that he was ten
'ears in advance of his former COM
AIDES. The daughter looked closely
It the young man and found him
carcely recognizable his pallor gave
lin decidedly distinguished air.
Mas it possible they had ever dis
lained this brave soldier who, paying
or his honors with his blood, had re.
urned to an assured futurel
He too looked critically at the girl.
Jould the serious, reflective woman
,efore him be the frivolous, capricious
,irl he had once known? She was n
thousand times more attractive to him
n her new guise. She was all he had
ver dreamed of and he was filled with
wild delight. Their eyes met, and
lis were filled with such alteration
hat the girls lids dropped in en-
'arrassment. When evening came the
7omen arose, and the officer accom-
anied them to their home. They