The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-12-23

! Perhaps he read 1t more than once, but
,uly one time aloud II seemed 70 please
nun. for he smiled MS h, laid it down
~, course" said he, Williams ~ little
older than Norah, hut that don't cut any
igurc Girls nowadays like their seniors.
| Shell like hun, too-when she knows him
| better"
| Then he thought of young man who at
/ the first call for volunteers in the Spanish
war came to him and said he had decided to
( so. Arnold Brent, always brave, handsome
and somewhat impulsivc, thought his coun-
try needed him, and he had kept his word
with a friend that hC would enlist.
/ Brent was connected with the firm Of
Hudson & Shiplcy, brokers. hut not in
very important capacity. John Hudson
knew tic 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-
listmcnt had spoiled all that.
lie simply said to the would-be hero that
II he wanted to go he could have his desk
back after the war" shook hands with him,
and, entirely unconccrned. saw the regiment
march away, while the whole city went wild
over its departure. That was John Brent
all ovcr-nothing moved him.
just about that time Williams -Otho vii.
hams-a man OF maturcr wears than Brent,
came upon the field OF action. He was a
thorough business man, shrewd and not en-.
tircly 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 plghtcd her
troth with Brent, and he told her lnughingly
that Christmas would see nm 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 font in the charge upon
San Juan hill, the TIL was terribly deci
mated. The boys were in the open, the
Mausers in the bushes
At first meager reports OF the battle;
stories OF the gallant charge OF the til,
but very little about the death roll, though
it was said to have been large.
The city waited; hearts grew sick "a day,
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 lid
ings, for there Is something more terrible
than death on the battlefield
Arnold Brent was 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.
Il IL l.. 4.
full hope while the army and navy were
winning Victories on other fields and at sea.
John lludson's face assumed a merrier as.
pect. lie whistIcd more. lie received Wi.
Hams with more cordmlity whenever he
came to town, took him home and made
things pleasant there for him Ii 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 il, aud Norah had questioned
those who took part in the historic charge.
They gave her but little encouragement.
STILL with woman's love and trust, the |
fair girl waited, 1t was in her nature TO !
wait, for was not his promise that he would |
come Christmas still good!
John Hudson, sitting before his fireplace ,
that Christmas night, with the 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 whitenod |
drive. |
"She won't hold back any longer" said
he, why, her mother always knuclled un.
der to me- I've been master here for years,
and Norah knows that"
lie 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,
md looking straight at him
IL thought you had retired, child"
said John Hudson, stammeringly, for he had
spoken aloud, and wondered il Norah had
heard.
Bless you, no, papal This is the night he
to come"
a frown darkened John Hudsons brow.
Put that idle hope aside" he answered.
You have had it tested time and again. The
4 Ia Il. L