The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

Brent was connected with the firm of
Hudson & Shipley, brokers, but not in
very important capacity. John Hudson
knew the young mans worth and had
thought seriously of promoting him, for he
had noticed the ties that existed between
him and Norah but the young mans en-
lstment had spoiled all that.
He simply said to the wouldbe hero that
if he wanted to go he could have his desk
back after the war" shook hands with him,
and, entirely unconcerned, saw the regiment
march away, while the whole city went wild
over it's departure. That was John Brent
all over-nothing moved him.
Just about that time Williams-Otho Will
lams-a man Of maturer years than Brent,
came upon the field of action. He was
thorough business man, shrcwd and not en-
tlro.y scrupulons in his dealings when money
was the object, but John Hudson did not
particularly object to this.
In Norahs heart there was sorrow when
the boys went away. She had plghted her
troth with Brent, and he told her laughingly
that Christmas would see HIM back, for the
war would end by that time, and they could
plan for happy future.
Soon after the regiment marched came
Santiago.
Thrown into the lont in the charge upon
San Juan hill, the -th was terribly deci
mated. The boys were in the open, the
Mausers in the bushes.
At first meager reports of the battle;
stories of the gallant charge of the TIL
but very little about the death roll, though
it was said to have been large.
The city waited; hearts grew sick as days
rolled by without much additional news
Norah Hudson was not the only one who
waited under the strain. AS for her father,
he thought but little of Brent; stocks were
rising and falling, and this interested him
more than news of battle and DEATH
At last came the most terrible of all It'd
ings, for there is something more terrible
than death on the battlefield
Arnold Brent was missing! Comrades
knew that he had gone into the battle;
they had seen him charging up the hill; they
had seen him in the foremost rank, but he
had not answered to roll call. There had
been but few missing, very few; but Brent
was among these.
Then came the waiting, the days of pain
full hope while the army and navy were
winning victories on other fields and at sea.
John Hudson's face assumed a merrier as
pect. He whistled more. He received Will
llams with more cordially whenever he
came to town, took him home and made
things pleasant there for him. 1t was all
for purpose which the young girls heart
easily guessed.
The summer of victories faded and the
autumn came. The leaves turned to gold
and then gave place to the garb of winter
The regiment had been sent back, or what
was left of it, and Norah had questioned
those who took part in the historic charge.
They gave her but little encouragement.
Still, with woman's love and trust, the
fair girl waited. 1t was in her nature to
wait, for was not his promise that he would
come Christmas still good?
John Hudson, sitting before his fireplace
that Christmas night, with the telegram IN
his hand, thought he saw the frution of
cherished hopes.
Williams would soon be there, and even
as the broker read he listened for the
sounds OF the carriage on the whitened
drive.
"She won't hold back any longer" said
he. why, her mother always knucllled I'M
der to me. I've been master here for years,
and Norah knows that"
He stopped rather suddenly, for the door
behind him opened, and he turned his
sldilIeu lace tnltneT,
Norah stood regally in the doorway, her
handsome figure revealed by the soft light
and looking straight at him.
Il thought you had retired, child"
said John Hudson, stammeringly, for he had
spoken aloud, and wondered if Norah had
heard.
BLESS you, no, papa! This is the night he
was to come"
DO IL. l.
Put that idle hope aside" he answered
on have had 1t tested time and again. The
others who came home brought no cheering
news from Cuba Norah, you must break
this tie. 1t is my command"
You command at last?" said the young
girl, advancing ''Do understand that
must obey"
You must. Now!"
Norah crossed the room and halted at his
side, one of her soft hands falling like a
pure snowflake on his shoulder.
He is coming" said she.
Brent? Impossible! You have waited
for months. A dead man cannot come"
1t was hard, cruel sentence, but what
did John Hudson care? He wanted to snap
the ties that had bound Norah to her SOL
der hero, and cared not how harshly he
did it,
"You loved your mother, girl?" he sud-
denly said, looking up into her face
Her memory is the sweetest one have"
Every well. She never crossed me-long.
OF course, she had her ideas, but from the
day of our marriage was master here"
There was no reply. Norah's look sought
the carpet at her feet, and the clock licked
on.
All at once John Hudson turned toward
the front door. He had caught sounds that
seemed to infuse new life into his veins.
my guest is out yonder, Norah," said
he. HE is punctual to the minute"