Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-12

with ire next sortie, and II our troops get
through we must 90, too"
How about getting back" asked Hare
wood.
"Chance it."
Hardwood was silent.
you're naturally considering Hide and
Yolette.' began Bourke.
Naturally" replied the other with a
tinge OF irony.
so am l. Now, Jim, we are either war
correspondents or we are not. We can do
nothing here, that's certain. II we try to
take risks and try to get through the lines
we stand every chance OF early and uncom-
Portable decease. But It's what we're paid
for. II we follow the next sortie we may
get through with whole skins. That's more
to my taste and fairer to the journals. IL
we stay here IL Is true we can chronicle
the siege and watch for a hole in the Ger
man lines, but l think we ought to resign
from our journals in that case and risk
selling our stun outside IL we can't get 1t
through beforehand. That's the only honor
able course / see-either get out of the city
or stay, resign and turn free lance. What
do you think ?"
az won't leave-for the present" said
Hardwood, reddening.
Good" replied Bourke, promptly.
Neither will | while these young girls are
here alone. or course, l knew you'd say
that. Our papers will have to wait until
we can get a chance to send in our %resigna-
tons and reasons. That cant be helped.
1t was n practical mistake for us not to go
out of the city when we had the opportu-
nifty. It's tough on our journals. but I've
decided not to accept last months salary,
and that will square things. I'll not draw
, annthpr ppnt nfthar uava ypi1 fnnnpy
Jim?'
I've a little money! said Hardwood. He
took out a notebook and pencil and calculated.
Presently he looked up.
I'VE shall need our salaries before the
month is OUT he observed.
''Then,'' said Buurke, lone of us must
do the work for both. One of us must go
out with the next sortie and get through IL
possible"
"And-the other?" asked Hardwood,
slowly.
1.-The other ought to stay here-as long as
there is danger. Jim do you want to
stay" He forced a smile as he spoke.
Hardwood said nothing. Bourke's embar-
ssmen was increasing. He Redeemed and
stood UP.
"Do you care for Hilde?' he asked, with
an effort. Hardwood did not answer.
Bourke unbuckled the spurs from his riding
boots and walked backward and forward,
swinging the feathers till the rowels jingled
like tiny chimes. After a moment he came
up to Hardwood, who was sitting moodily
on the stairs.
81 should like very much to stay, Jim
If you don't mind-very much.
Hardwood did not move.
at is-for--for Y~olette," added Bourke.
crimson to the temples, "but II | thought
you loved Hide, l would go. If you wish
it l will go tomorrow"
Harewood's face was set and pale, his
heart sank under an overwhelming rush of
shame; shame for himself, shame because
he could not answer the confidence of his
comrade. bitter shame that he should be
willing to accept a generous mans sacrifice,
a man who loved for the first time in his
life and who loved honorably. Bourke con-
tinued almost timidly: 81 never imagined
that Yolette was anything to me; l never
thought of that sort of thing. 1t came be-
fore l knew it, Jim. You see, 1 never be-
fore cared for a woman Harewood's
strained glance met his questioningly and
Bourke answered: 81 have not spoken to
her, l don't believe she would listen to me;
1 scarcely dare think of it; you see, Jim,
I'm not attractive"
He broke off abruptly: there was a swish
Of a skirt on the landing above; the sound of
a door gently closing.
"They don't understand English"
motioned Hardwood; "go on"
Eyes, they do-Hilde does muttered
Bourke.
"Hilde understands English?" repeated
Hardwood in dull surprise. He had not
even suspected 1t; suddenly he realized that
he had learned nothing of Hilde-absolutely
nothing, except that she loved him. Bourke
slipped his riding crop into his boot, picked
up his dispatches and moved toward the
stairway.
ut was Red Riding Hood; I think l saw
her skirt" he said. Jim, shall 1 go with
the next sortie?"
Hardwood turned and mounted the stair
way with his comrade.
Come into my room in an hour; I'll tell
you then" he said, and left Bourke at the
head of the stairs.
When Hardwood entered his room he went
straight to the mirror. A mirrored face
looked back at his own-a face, young, firm,
a little pale, with frightened muscles under
the cheek bones, and lips compressed. Like
painted pictures, scenes began to pass,
swiftly and more swiftly, gliding before his
eyes; and behind each scene he saw the
shape of his own face, he saw his reflected
eyes, immovable in accusation. And once,
stung to torture by his eyes fixed con-
demnation, he raised a menacing hand and
pointed at the pointing figure In the mirror.
"Coward!' But the mirrored shape was
voiceless.
!, Ito be Continued.)
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