Evening journal., 1899-06-24
.s. ~ ~ ~. ~. ~ 81. ", " ~. ~. " "
HER MISTAkE.
siS sIF 5SSIS '7IS az ;ISS7S' '.lS IN ~ 7iiSSsN

The two men occupied sheltered
nook on the cliffs at Hastings, close 10
the Palace hotel. and Crawford after
arranging Vandeleur's rug. threw him
self into a grass chair and lit his pipe.
Vandeleur closed his eyes restfully.
He looked pale and thin, and his left
arm rested in a sling.
After few puffs Crawford burst out:
"By Jovel isn't this glorious? What
a difference there is between II and
Omdurmanl"
"Ratherl All the same, liked H.
liked the rush and whirl; ay, even the
killing and the chance Of being killed."
adding cynically. Il suppose am un-
grateful, but sometimesI wish that
Arab sword had caught me few inches
lower down."
"Ohi stop that. What ails you, man2
l often wonder whether il was profess
sional enterprise made you 50 reckless,
ora love affair. Ell? BY Jovel 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 II you
hadcompletely 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 knew her
once. Engaged, got chuckedi some
how. you see, can't-you understand
Crawford quietly stopped down and
grasped Nandeleur's hand. There was
lot Of silent sympathy in that quiet
handclasp
Nandeleru was always somewhat OF =
mystery to Crawford. The latter could
never understand why successful nov
alist such as he was had given up O.
promising future. His hairbrcadth 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 bcncatl
the heap of bodies, and at first everyone
thought that the dervish swors ha,
finished the "mad correspondent" Of thu
Sentinel.
The shave was close one, but never
theless they had pulled him round
And now he was on the fair road TO re
covery.
After pause Crawford spoke.
Forgive me. old chap didn't know
You see, we hadn't met until sf7er-
after that"
don't apologize; / am so confound
edly weak. Crawford, can't stay here
I must get away. I can't meet he
! again-or, at least, not just yet"
"Oh, nonsensel You can't go jus
= when the air is pulling you rouad S
= well. Besides, there is little posabilit
I of your meeting, as she is not eve
aware Of your being here. kalls
= there's White calling me. Do yoa'min
$ my. leaving you for few minutesY"
II "Not at all. In faet-I am afraid II
: not exactly complimentary to you, ol
fellow, but / would rather be alone for
5 bit. You underestimate"
i Crawford comprehended, and merel
said: IL understand, old man; FL I
back in half an hour" then qsietl
walked off.
vandeleur sat thinking. His thought
were bitter as they went back tw
years, and he recalled the heartle'
manner in which this woman thre
him over without any perceptible re-
q son. He could never understand il.
Are all women the same? he woi
. dered. Does every woman play with
> man merely to fool him in the end?
= But his cogitations abruptly cease
n as his glance wandered down the pat
n in the direction Of the hotel.
He started slightly and flush shove
= itself fol a moment in his thin feature
. A strangely familiar figure was con
n ing toward him, and his fingers ner
: ously twisted and untwisted as
i recognized the one woman in all Il
4 world whom he least desired to meet.
) His natural impulse was to ~ ava
u but weakness rendered such a4lfocee'
- ing impossible.
II In his weak state the sight Of her CO..
n iured up strange emotions. lie fe
n more keenly his own helplessness, an
n then, as he watched her, there arose
II his heart a passionate longing for syr
n pathy and rest
A If only, if only--bahl what fool
Al was-as big a fool as he was is montl
w ago almost!
N So immersed was Miss Sinclair wi
fe her reading that she failed TO notice Il
h. man, who was rather feebly essaying
NJ light a cigarette. until she. was qui
20 close.
d. At the first glance, however, she re
D. ognized him. and the sudden shock w
in almost painful. but, recovering hcrse
e. in moment, walked straight up
Vandeleur and held out her hand, sa
ing gently;
h. - am SO glad, Mr.. Vandeleur, TO s
as that you are better-so very blad."
Is, Although Nandeleur's heart be
as quickly, he was outwardly calm al
et cool as he replied. nouchaluntly:
er Thank you. Except for the fact
m feeling rather weak now and then.d a
rn comparatively well. 1 trust you a
e- quite well, Miss Sinclair?"
ID. ~"Yes. ana very well, thank you. B
og but Mr.. Crawford told me you had
n