The Delta independent., 1898-07-08
CHAPTER \.


sf 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
mens Of the moment. in her righteous
indignation and il 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 20 much that nothing would satisfy
him but the truth and the whole truth
- 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
ths chair. swaying . little from weak
nsas and shock, staring at her with his
lins, bright eyes now SO full Of misery
aRd inoredulity and challenge. His faco
was almost ashen. He choked as at last
~ spoke:
He may have been nm admirer-any
man might. but you-you say her low
-. That. too. be may have been before
his breakdown. That is no disgrace to
~. She IL helping him for what he
was. not for what he is" And still he
sAsed imploringly. So many years he
lad hung upon that sisters words and
never doubted her. "You cannot mean
there IL anything between them
that-that'-
II mean that she would follow him
tomorrow II It were not to Jail. and
that she loves him Jet.
For Q moment all was silence except
that he was breathing hard. "You have
yoe. proofa Of course" he said Go
or"
"Not tonight, Ronald, abe pleaded
''The doctor said
'Nsvsr mind what the doctor said-
that was not to be agitated, suppose.
- thoagh ] were some hysterical wom-
a. Go on, say. You can't agitate mo
any more than you have. and want to
got 70 the bottom Of this at once. Who
n your authority? Don't quote Mrs.
Turner. That would be too ridiculous. I"
Bat fortune came TO her aid. There
was . saddsn ring ~ the gong ball On
~ hAu dor below. The ssrvant had
sslissA Ma 6tannard was still at the
Bazsys'. next door. Miss Maynard had
90 70 down and answer the summona Il
We tbs osdcrly from headquarters
"Dispatches still coming in. miss. "
he MD, "and here's one for Mra STAN
nard. -
''ehe's next door Oh. but watt"
mid Niss Maynard, a sudden thought
occurring to her. "It may disturb Miss
Baird IL you 60 there and ring. Have
yoa anything for Mrs.. Barryf can
take both"
"Ye2 num-" was the answer a. the
yoang soldier searched through the
packet Of brown envelopes in his hand.
''I'll bo back IN . moment, Ronald"
shs called rp the stairs. Then leaving
him alone, angering, inoredulous, yet
patches. and tapping lightly at the door
of the neighboripg quarters noiselessly
1T herself in. Mrs. Stannard met her
in the parlor.
II took these from the orderly. whis-
pered Aiss Maynard. at seemed better
that should come in with them than
that be should ring"
But with brief apology Mrs. Stannard
he'd already torn open the envelope and
was feading her dispatch 1t was from
the major. Of course, penciled after the
long morning Of excitement and sent in
70 the Eailway by courier, galloping
back with dispatches 1t contained
merely . few seassuring words: "All
well, barring . fow Casualties already
reported. We will be strongly re-en-
forced tomorrow.
Then the majors wife glanced up at
hef guest. "MrA Barry has Just drop
ped Oh into doze." she whispered. II
feel sure her message IL to tho same
puFport a. mine, and that ought not
% rouse her. She can read it by and BY.
How 10 Mr.. Maynard tonigbt?''
"Hs 10 very nervous and excited"
was her reply. "All these rumors from
sbs front mako him eager 70 Join his
eomrades, and cannot keep him quiet
q coatent And-your other PATIENT"
shs continued. with an upward glance.
''Poof childi She IL badly shaken.
ASa Freeman IL sitting with her and
striving to soothc her. but she was wide
awake swhile ago and very nervous and
WEetcbcd. ! fear she will have little or
no sleep this night. Now do not sit up
for ne. Mis- Maynard Leave the door
% the latch, and I'll come in quietly
BY md By. shall stay here until after
nidnishk Nra Freeman must go homo
pesssatly. She cannot stay away from
- ~SSls1v,v, al uiube vos, knosz,
''OA, should 10 most glad II could
b = ssFvice-sither with NrA Barry
- With-with Miss Baird" faleered
lliD Maynaed presently. '.Rooald real
II 6oe0't need me 10 all."