The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-06-07
ROMANCE OF
THE CUBAN WAR,


and General Higgerson, for the fifth
time, wondered what kept his daugh-
ter as he fidgeted with his paper and
stirred his hot coffee. Just rs his
patience was at an end the door open
ed and admitted tall, handsome girl,
with bright blue eyes. She held big
bunch of clematis in her hands.
where have you been, MonaY in
quired her father.
down at the river; | found the
stone wall near the boathouse ablaze
with these blossoms. l am sorry to
be late. dear
THE Southern mail is in" observed
the general, nodding toward a small
pile of letters at her plate.
She flushed slightly as she laid the
clematis OH the sideboard and took her
seat at the table A conscious smile
crossed her fathers face as she broke
the seal of the first letter. He turned
to the paper in his hands, and his eyes
caught this heading: "A Romance in
Real Life"
"With the invaded officers return
ing this week is young Colonel Law
renee, who was SeVerly hurt in the
charge at San Juan. Among the
nurses who went to look after the sick
was Il handsome young woman whom
the colonel formerly ADMIRED. Family
misfortune had forced her to adopt
nursing as IA profession. Their friend
ship was renewed. and when the
colonel came home he was engaged
to his old love. Colonel Lawrence is
to be married very shortly. Report
says that he had entangled himself
with another lady, who will now find
al. IL oil,
ISOLATION
AS he laid down the paper the gen.
eral glanced ut his daughter. She was
sitting. with a daZed expression on
her face, gazing ut letter she held
"Father, what does this mean?" she
exclaimed, holding out the letter. He
took ii from her and this is what he
read
"Dear Mona-YOu may have seen in
the papers an account of my being
wounded; | maze light of it in my last
letter, fearing to alarm YOU but the
truth is | am wreck as the papers
have accurately stated. I am invalid
ed and crippled, and if it had not been
for devoted nursing | should not be
here to-day. Under the circumstances
40 not feel justified in holding you to
your engagement: Notwithstanding the
pain is causes me to do this | want to
release you entirely and leave you free
to marry some one who is not so shat
tered as myself; but believe me, dear
est. that whatever my future life, you
will always he shrined deep in my
heart of hearts. Your faithful friend,
HENRY LAWRENCE"
"What does it mean?" almost shout
ed the old general 1T means that
your lover is a scoundrel. Mona; read
newspaper containing "a Romance in
the lips; a mist before her eyes pre-
Real Life The girl grew white to
vented her for Il moment from read
ing the article; slowly she grasped its
full purport.
1t was a terrible blow to the general
he had always liked Colonel Law
renee and consented to the engage
ment just before the young man was
ordered to Cuba. Both Mona and her
father had so thoroughly believed in
Lawrence's love and faith that his
letter and that story in the news
paper came upon them like a bolt
from a calm sky
Pacing the rooms wrathfully, he
gave vent to his feelings in swearing
volubly. ''The scOundrel. l should
! ike W lOESt-N mp nm my sell LOT "
whelp of a eur if he were not wound
ed. What are his hurts to the stab
he has given. Mona-ah! when Gil
bert hears this" and then the gen
eral remembered that his son was
coming home that week. 1t was a
satisfaction to have man around to
whom he could give vent to his out
ragged feelings,
AS though in answer to his thoughts,
the butler at that moment brought in
telegram Eyes Gilbert was coming,
and. fortunately. day earlier than
expected bringing friend with him.
Just as well to distract her attention,
thought her father, as Mona joined
him with her hat on and n letter in
her hand
"Going out, dearf"
"Only to the village to post a note"
"Gilbert is coming tomorrow at
with an old college friend, who, II
seems, has just turned up in New
York"
81 am glad" said Mona quietly
Gilbert arrived in high spirits with his
friend IA Major Laurie, just returned
from Puerto Rico. AS soon as they
were alone the general poured out his
Indignation and woe to his son, who
was much incensed at the behavior OF
MOnas fiance.
"By George" exclaimed Major
Laurie. latter excuslng herself early In
the evening Mona had left the three
men in the bllsrd-roOm smOlxing)
"but Miss Mona Is stunning. If I
,yara mot auVapad IN tha daaraut al rl