The Delta independent., 1896-06-24


to hear the boys vOice.-the voice uf a
deserter. Everything was silent about
the house. although a light shone
through an upper window and also
through Que below. lle paused At the
gate, not knowing what To do. II was
evident the boy WAS not here. yet how
TO tind the father on brother without
alarming Margaret or her mother
puzzled him As he stood there, the
door opened, and he recognized Mrs
Bartlctt and Margaret standing in the
light lie moved away from the gate,
and heard the older woman say:
''Oh, she will be all right in the
q nice sleep. I wouldn't disturb her
tonight, IL were you. II is nothing
but nervousness and fright at that hor-
rible firing. It's all over now, thank
God. Good night, Margaret"
The good woman came through the
gate and then ran with all the speed of
sixteen towards her own homo. Mar
garet stood in the doorway, listening
to the retrcating footsteps. She was
pale and anxious. but Rennark thought
he had never seen anyone SD lovely,
and he was startled TO finI that he had
. most unprofessor-like longing 70 take
her in his arms and comfort her. q feel
ing which had never assailed him in
the dim educational corridors Of the
stately university building. Instead
Of bringing her consolation, he feared
II would be his fate to add to her
anxiety. and it was not until he saw
that she was about to close the door
that he found courage TO speak.
Margaret" he said.
The girl had never heard her name
pronounced in that tone before, and
the cadence of It went direct TO her
heart, frightening her with IN un-
known joy. She seemed unable to
move or respond, and stood there with
wide eyes and suspended breath, gaz-
ing into tho darkness Renmark
stepped into the light, and she saw his
face wss haggard with fatigue and
anxiety.
Margaret" he said again, 81 want
TO speak with you . moment. Where
IN your brother?'
''He has gone with Mr.. Bartlett to
see II he can find the horses. There IL
something wrong" she continued.
stepping down beside him. II can see Il
In your face What il it?"
''Is your father in the house?"
"Yes, but he II worried about moth
eF. Tell me what Il ID. 1t II better to
tell me-"
Remark hesitated.
Don't keep me In suspense like this"
cried the girl, in . low, but intense
voice. "You have said too much or too
little. Has anything happened to
Henry?'
mo. II is about Arthur I wanted TO
speak. You will not be alarmed"
~ am alarmed. Tell me quickly"
And the girl In her excitement Laid her
hands imploringiy on his.
Arthur Joined the volunteers In To
that7'
He never told ~. I underestimate
think 20, but hope not. He was In
the battle todsy. Ii he-has he been
-hurt7'
~ doav kaow. sD afraid 90" aid
Remark, hurFiedly, now that the
BY the nervous tightening Of The girls
unconscious grasp how clumsily he was
telling Il. 'sHe was with the volun-
them now. They don't know where he
feared he was, and that he has been
ground"
Yes, yes"
"But 1 could not find him. Icame
here hoping to find him."
Take me to where the volunteers
were," she sobbed. II know what has
happened. Come quickly"
L.
hesd2"
ing, she said: ''Shall we need . Ian
tcrn?"
mo; it is light enough when we get
out from the shadow Of the house"
Margaret ran along the road SO swift
ly that Rcnmark had some trouble in
keeping pace with her. She turned at
the side road and sped up the gentle
ascent to the spot where the volunteers
had crossed il.
''Hcre is the place." said Remark.
.'He could not have been hit in the
field" she cried, breathlessly, ''f0r then
he might have reached the house At the
corner without climbing . fence. II
he was badly hurt he would have been
here. Did you search this feld?"
Every bit of IL. He In not here"
''Thcn It must have happened after
he crossed the road and the second
fence. Did you rec the bsttle7"
''Yes."
ibid the Fenians cross the Aeld after
the voluntcers?"
"No; they did not leave the woods"
Then II he was struck It could not
have been far from the other side Of
the second fence. lie would be the last
TO retreat; and that Is why the others
did not see him." said the girl, with
confident pride In her brothers courage.
They crossed the first fence, the road,
and the second fence, the girl walking
ahead for . few paees- She stopped
and leaned for . moment against Q
treo. ut must nave been oO00S nere,'