The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1898-12-21
Brent was connected with the firm Of

Brent was connected with the firm OF
Hudson & Shipley, brokers, but not in a
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-
listment 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 its departure. That was John Brent
all over-nothing moved him.
Just about that time williamsburg WI
hams-a man of maturer years than Brent,
came upon the field of action. He was a
thorough business man, shrewd and not en-
tirely scrupulous in his dealings when money
was the object, but John Hudson did not
particularly object to this.
In Norah's heart there was sorrow when
the boys went away. She had plighted her
troth with Brent, and he told her laughingly
that Christmas would see hun back, for the
war would end by that time, and they could
plan for a happy future.
Soon after the regiment marched came
Santiago.
Thrown into the front in the charge upon
San Juan hill, the til was terribly deci-
mated. The boys were in the open, the
Mausers in the business
At first meager reports of the battle;
stories of the gallant charge of the til,
but very little about the death roll, though
1t 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 wars 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
/
lams with more cordiality whenever he
came to town, took him home and made
things pleasant there for him. 1t was all
for a 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 womans love and trust, the
fair girl waited. 1t was in her nature to
vait, for was not his promise that he would
! come Christmas still good?
John Hudson, sitting before his fireplace
| that Christmas night with tho telegram IN
! his hand, thought he saw the fruition OF
cherished hopes.
Williams would soon be there, and even
as the broker read he listened for the
sounds of the carriage on the whtened
/ drive.
'EShe won't hold back any longer" said
| be. "Why, her mother always knuckled 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
startled face thither.
Norah stood regalIy 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 be had
spoken aloud, and wondered if Norah had
heard.
Bless you, no, papa! This is the night be
/ was to come"
A frown darkened John IIudson's brow.
Put that idle hope aside he answered
you have had it tested time and again. The
others who came home brought no cheering
news from Cuba. Norah, you must breal
| this tie. 1t is my command"
"You command at last?" said the young
girl, advancing do l understand that
raust obey?"
"You must. Now!"
Norah crossed the room and halted at hi
side, one of her soft hands falling like
! pure snowflake on his shoulder.
He is coming" said she.
'BrentP Impossible! You have waited
for months. A dead man cannot come"
1t was a hard cruel sentence, but wha
did John Hudson care? He wanted to snaI
the ties that had bound Norah to her sci
der hero, and cared not how harshly b,
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
or course, she had her ideas, but from tn,
day of our marriage | was master here"
There was no reply. Norah's look sough
the carpet at her feet, and the clock tickeC
| on.
All at once John Hudson turned toward
the front door. He had caught sounds tba
seemed to infuse new life into his veins.
my guest is out yonder, Norah," sale
! he. "He is punctual to the minute"
Your guest, papa!"
q NJ q n