The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-18

But fortune came to her aid. There
was sudden ring at the gong bell OH
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. II
was the orderly from headquarters.
Dispatches still coming in. miss, -
he said, land here's one for Mrs. Stan.
nard."
She's next door Oh, but wait, ="
said Miss Maynard, a sudden thought
occurring to her. 1T may disturb Miss
Baird If you go there and ring. Have
you anything for Mrs. Barry? I can
take botk.'
Eyes, num-" was the answer as the
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 lightly at the door
of the neighboring quarters noiselessly
let herself in. Mrs. Stannard met her
in the parlor.
81 took these from the orderly, "whis.
pered Miss Maynard. sit seemed better
that I 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 a courier, galloping
back with dispatches 1t contained
merely 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. II
feel sure her message is to the same
purport as mine, and that ought not
to rouse her. She can read 1t 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 PATENT"
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 or
no sleep this night. Now do not sit up
for me, Miss Maynard Leave tho door
on the latch, and III come in quietly
by and by. / shall stay here until after
midnight. Mrs. Freeman must go home
presently. She cannot stay away from
her children all night, you know"
"Oh, l should be most glad if l could
be Of service-either with Mrs. Barry
or with-with Miss Baird" falterad
Miss Maynard presently. "Ronald real.
ly doesn't need me at all"
ut is very kind of you" was the
courteous answer, "but everybody real.
ICES your first duty is to your brother
Is there anything he fancies tonight
You know where to find everything we
have, SO can depend on you not to
wait to ask. Just help yourself. "
And then Mrs Stannard stood as
though she wished to bring the CONVEX.
sation to an end and return to her sleep
ing patient, but Miss Maynard still fall
tered. She was fencing for time. She
did not wish to go home yet. She
would have to face Ronald and answer
his questions
And in the midst of the awkward
pause light football was heard OH the
stairs 1t IVES Mrs. Freeman.
"I'm sure dispatches have come. " abe
murmured as she Joined them "What
is the newsp''
Silently Mrs. Stannard handed bel
the open paper, which Mrs Freeman
eagerly read.
well, then, there must be one for
me, " she whispered. Would You mind
going up and sitting with Nathalie
moment" she asked Of Mrs. Stannard
II will just hurry home and get what
may have come and peep at the chill ,
dren and return in five minutes -
And then from the inner room Mrs :
Barry's voice, low and gentle. was
heard demanding news, and Mrs. Stan {
nard FASTENED to her side. - ,
"I'll go to Miss Baird, Mrs. Free {
man, whispered Grace Maynard go t
home by all means, and do not come Q
back if you do not feel like it. ! should 7
be glad to sit up with the poor girl. v
I'm thoroughly accustomed to nursing"
Mrs. Freeman looked troubled and n
perplexed moment, listened for sounds t.
from aloft, said vaguely: You're very v
kind. II think the Doctors medicines s.
are taking effect and that she is doing a
off. / shan't be any time at ALL" So b
saying the little matron let herself out f
at the front door and FASTENED down
the row. Grace after listening a mo. II
nent slowly and softly assembled the b
stairs and noiselessly entered the sick. n
room. il
There in her little white bed lay the tt
patient, her wan face turned away from b
The dim night light, nervously tapping 81
The, counterpart with her slender hand. RI
She did not turn, she did not speak as b.
The newcomer entered. Only by the vi
restless movement of the hand and an SC
occasional inpatient toss and sigh did h.
The show that she was awake and tor tt
nented by her thoughts b,
1t had been Miss Maynard s intention d,
o speak and explain the situation. The W
words were OIL her lips as she entered IN
he room; but, seeing that no apparent GO
lotice was taken of her coming, she hest. d.
ated, then decided not to explain or to in
peak at oil until somebody or some. -
hing should show that Nathalie had pl
discovered 1t was not Mrs. Freeman. 1t In
night be embarrassing to DAY the least. a.
,he strange girl had never liked her, pl
I'D always avoided and ayaD shyunk be