Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-15

thought seriously Of promoting him, Tor he
had noticed the ties that existed between
him and Norah; but the young mans en-
Iistmcnt had spoiled all that
lie simply said to the would-be hero that
II he wanted to 20 he could have his desk
back "attcI the war shook hands with him,
and. entirely tuconeerncd, saw the regiment
march away, while the whole city went wild
over It's departure That was John Brent
ali over-nothng moved him.
Just about that time Williams Otho VIII
liam. "A man Of mdturer years than Brent,
came upon the field of action He was a
thorough business, man, shrewd and not en-
trcIy sclupulous in his dealings when money
was the object, but John Hudson did not
particularly object to this,
In Noah' 3 heart there was a sorrow when
the boys went away. She had plightcl her
tYoth with Brent, and he told her iaughingly
flat Christmas would see hm 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 dccl'
mated. The boys were in the open, the
Mauscrs in the bushes,
1t 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 cit, waited; hearts grew sick as day.
relied by without much additional news
Norah Hudson was not the only one vile
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 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,
Then came the waiting, the DAYS Of pain.
full hone while the army and navy were
winning victories on other fields and at sea.
John Iludsons face assumed mcrrier as
pect. He whistled more. He received VIII
hams with more cordially whenever he
came to town, took him home and made
things pleasant there for him. 1t was all
for purpose which the young girls heart
easily guessed.
The summer of victories faded and the
autumn came The leaves turned to gold
and Then ravc place to the rarb of winter.
The regiment had been sent back, or what
was left of il, and Norah had questioned
those who took part in the historic charge.
They caye her lint little announcement.
sill with womons love and trust lhc
fair Girl waited II was in her nature TO
wait, for was not his promise that he would
come Christmas still good!
John Hudson, sitting before his Grcplace
that Christmas night, with the telegram IN
his hand, thought he saw the nution OF
cherished hopes.
Williams would soon be there, and even
as the broker read he listened for the
sounds of the carriage on the whitened
drive.
"She won't hold back any longer" said
he "Wbv ber mother ALWAYS Lnuckled nm.
dor IN mo Two hoo, naster bero for yeors
and Noroh knows that"
lie stoppcd rather suddenly. for fine door
b,b;ud him opcned and he turned his
startled face thitber
Noroh stood recalIv in thc doorway her
handsome 6gurc revealed hy thc soft lvht.
mad hacking stroicb, n, him
81 ,hnnqht Won had re,ircd child "
said lain llndson s,nmmcr;ncl, for he had
sroker aloud and wondered if Norab had
heard
"Hless ,ou no NINA, This a, III, niaht he
uos IN emma "
4 ,rowr dnrl,oned .Iobu uuds,n's brow
"pr, ,ho, ida hone n.ide" hc answered
"Nou hnvn Ind II tosted tine and ocoin The
otbcr who cnmr home hrought No cheering
nows onm CHIN Nornh Won must br,a,
This tia fl ia nv command"
"yau on,nnonJ a. InS,y'' so;1 tho ,ou,o
nl aIyonc,ng "no understand that
,,n,, ohoyq"
"you must Now,"
NoraL crossed tbe room and bo,ed ot hi,
- -. III. t,ll,... M.