Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-10-19
HER MISTAKE.
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The two men occupied a sheltere'
nook on the cliffs at Hastings, close L
the Palace hotel, and Crawford, aftel
arranging Yandeleur's rug, threw him
self into a grass chair and lit his pipe.
Vandeleur closed his eyes restfuny
lie looked pale and thin, and his left
arm rested in sling.
After few puffs Crawford burst out;
~By Joye! isn't this glorious? What
difference there is between it and
omdurmanl"
Rather! All the same, liked ii.
liked the rush and whirl; ay, even the
killing and the chance of being killed;
adding cynically, Il suppose ! am I'M
grateful, but sometimes ! wish that
Arab sword had caught me few inches
lower down."
"Ohl stop that. What ails you, man?
often wonder whether it was profess
sional enterprise made you so reckless,
ora love affair, Ell? BY Joye! that re-
minds me of something. A lady at
breakfast this morning some way or
other got to know that was Crawford,
the News man. She had also evidently
heard that you and / had been pretty
thick at the front, as she inquired il you
had completely recovered; seemed quite
interested in you, old chap. Her name
is Sinclair"
"Sinclair?"
'Yes-heavensl what's the matter,
old man? You do look queer"
well, old fellow, you see l knew her
once. Engaged, got chucked; some
how, you see, can't-you understand"
Crawford quietly stopped down and
grasped Nandeleur's hand. There was
a lot of silent sympathy in that quiet
handclasp.
Nandeleru was always somewhat of
mystery to Crawford. The latter could
never understand why successful nov
elist such as he was had given up
future. His hairbreadth es-
capes had become the talk of the army.
1t was at Omdurman his run of luck al
most came to a close.
They had dragged him from beneath
the heap of bodies, and at first everyone
thought that the dervish sword had
finished the mad correspondent" of the
Sentinel
The shave was close one, but never
theless 'they had pulled him round.
And now he was on the fair road to re-
coyery.
After pause Crawford spoke.
Forgive me, old chap; didn't know
You see, we hadn't met until after
after that"
Don't apologize; am so confound-
IDLY weak. Crawford, | can't stay here;
| must get away. ! can't meet her
igain-or, at least, not just yet"
"0h, nonsensel You can't go just
when the air Is pulling you round so
we'll. Besides, there is little possibility |
of your meeting, as she is not even
iware OF your being here. Halo, /
here's White calling me. Do you mind
NY leaving you for few minutes?"
"Not at all. In faet--l am afraid it's
rot exactly complimentary 10 you, old
elbow, bat ! would rather be alone for
,it. You understand"
Crawford comprehended, and merely
aid: 81 understand, old man; I'll be
back in half an hour" then quietly
walked off.
Vandeleur sat thinking. His thoughts
we're bitter as they went back two
ears, and he recalled the heartless
manner in which this woman threw
lin over without any perceptible rea-
on. He could never understand it.
Are all women the same? he won
Iered. Does every woman play with
nan merely to fool him in the end?
But his cogitations abruptly ceased
S his glance wandered down the path
n the direction of the hotel
He started slightly and flush showed
tself for a moment in his thin features.
A strangely familiar figure was com
ng toward him, and his fingers nery-
'usly twisted and UNFINISHED as he
ecognized the one woman in all the
world whom he least desired to meet.
His natural impulse was to get away.
nut weakness rendered such a proceed
ng impossible.
In his weak state the sight of her con-
ured up strange emotions. He felt
more keenly his own helplessness, and
hen, as he watched her, there arose in
his heart a passionate longing for sym
,athy and rest.
II only, If only-bab! what a fool he
big a fool as he was IS months
lgo almost!
II.
SO immersed was Miss Sinclair with
ler reading that she failed to notice the
nan, who was rather feebly essaying to
light a cigarette, until she was quite
close
Al the first glance, however, she rec
lgnized him. and the sudden shock was
almost painful, but, recovering herself /
m moment walked straight up to
Nandeleur and held out her hand, say
'ng gently:
I am so glad. Mr.. Nandeleur, TO see
that you are better-so very blad."
Although Vandeleur's heart beat
quickly, he was outwardly calm and
cool ss he replied. nonchalantly:
Thank you. Except for the fact OF /
fpaliuar fl4a.- go. l.