Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-11-03
CHAPTER <.

CHAPTER <.
AS has been said before, the time that
some women-indeed some old women
or both sexes-select to tell fellow the
news that is bound to hurt and sting
and worry him most is when he is al
ready nearly knocked out and therefore
cannot get from under In the excite
ment of the moment, in her righteous
Indignation and in the serene conscious
ness of the justice of her sacred cause
Miss Maynard had quite forgotten, or at
least ignored, the Doctors parting ad-
monition, and the fatal words were
said. She knew now that she must
prove her words or lose her case. 1t was
no longer question Of how much Ron
aid might be fretting or how great
might be his excitement. He had heard
just SO much that nothing would satisfy
him but the truth and the whole truth
as known to her. She must face the
music and give her authority for the
statement or her last hold on her broth
er's trust was gone.
There he stood, grasping the back of
the chair, swaying little from weak
ness and shock, staring at her with his
fine. bright eyes, now SO full of misery
and incredulity and challenge. His face
was almost ashen. He choked as at last
he spoke:
He may have been an admirer-any
man might, but you-you say her low
or. That, too, he may have been before
his breakdown. That is no disgrace to
her. She is helping him for what he
was, not for what he is And still he
gazed imploringly. So many years he
had hung upon that sisters words and
never doubted her. 'You cannot mean
there is anything between them
that-that''-
II mean that she would follow him
tomorrow if it were not to Jail, and
that she loves him yet. -
For moment all was silence except
that hewas breathing hard. "You have
your proofs, Of course" he said. go
on
Not tonight, Ronald, - she pleaded.
"The doctor said'-
'sNever mind what the doctor said
that I was not to be agitated, suppose,
as though were some hysterical wom-
an. 60 on, say. You can't agitate me
any more than you have, and want to
get to the bottom of this at once. Who
is your authority? Don't quote Mrs
Turner. That would be too ridiculous. -
But fortune came to her aid There
was sudden ring at the gong bell on
the hall door below. The servant had
retired. Mrs Stannard was still at the
Barrys', next door. Miss Maynard had
to go down and answer the summons. It
was the orderly from headquarters
Dispatches still coming in, miss, y
he said, land here's one for Mrs. Stan
nard''
"She's next door Oh, but wait, :"
said Miss Maynard, sudden thought
occurring to her. sit may disturb Miss
Baird if you go there and ring. Have
you anything for Mrs. Barry? can
take both"
Eyes, mum, was the answer as tho
young soldier searched through the
packet of brown envelopes in his hand.
"I'll be back in moment, Ronald, -
she called up the stairs Then leaving
him alone, angering, incredulous, yet
miserable, Miss Maynard took the dis
patches, and tapping lightlyat the door
of the neighboring quarters noiselessly
let herself in. Mrs. Stannard met her
in the parlor.
"Itook these from the orderly, whis-
pered Miss Maynard. ct seemed better
that should come in with them than
that he should ring
But with brief apology Mrs. Stannard
had already torn open the envelope and
was reading her dispatch. 1t was from
the major, Of course, penciled after the
long morning of excitement and sent in
to the railway by courier, galloping
back with dispatches. 1t contained
merely a few reassuring words: "All
we'll, barring few casualties already
reported. We will be strongly re-en-
forced tomorrow.
Then the majors wife glanced up at
her guest. "Mrs. Barry has Just drop
ped off into doze, she whispered Il
feel sure her message is to the same
purport as mine and that l ought not
to rouse her. She can read it by and by.
How is Mr.. Maynard tonight?''
He is very nervous and excited, "
was her reply. "All these rumors from
the front make him eager to Join his
comrades, and cannot keep him quiet
or content. And-your other patient?''
she continued with an upward glance
''Poor child! She is badly shaken.
Mrs. Freeman is sitting with her and
striving to soothe her, but she was wide
awake awhile ago and very nervous and
wretched. fear she will have little OF
no sleep this night. Now do not sit up
for me, Miss Maynard. Leave the door
on the latch, and I'll come in quietly
by and by. I shall stay here until after
midnight Mrs Freeman must go home
presently. She cannot stay away from
her children all night you know
"Oh, should be most glad if l could
be of service-either with Mrs. Barry
or with-with Miss Baird" faltered
Miss Maynard presently "Ronald real.
" doesn t need me at all.
"It is very kind of you, was the
courteous answer, but everybody real
ICES your first duty is to your brother
Ts there ANYTHING he fancies tonight!