Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-02-06

of his Office. He arrived in high spir.
its with his friend, Major Laurie,
just returned from Porto Rico. The
two men had not met for nearly ten
years, and each seemed equally glad
to renew his college friendship. As
soon as they were alone the General
poured out his Indignation and woe to
his son, who was naturally much in
censed at the behavior of Mona's
fiance.
''Pity that your friend is an officer
and just home from the war; it will
keep the wound open," added his
father.
"Confound it, so it will; I am deuc-
edly sorry for Mona. No wonder she
IS cut up, but as Laurie is sure to know
Lawrence, we must be careful not to
show him that Lawrence has hurt us.
Mona IS plucky enough and must force
herself to be jolly for couple of days
till Laurie takes his departure.
'Jollyl Poor girl, how can she hep"
sighed the General.
"a. II should like to wiring that rascal's
neck" exclaimed Gilbert, impetuous-
ly, "and he of all men, whom we all
liked so much"
''That is just where it hurts so,
answered his father.
by George" exclaimed Major
Laurie, latter excusing herself early
in the evening, Mona had left the
three men in the billiard room smok-
ing,l "but Miss Mona is stunning. If
[ were not engaged to the dearest girl
in the world, [ should lose my heart
to your sister"
81 did not know we had to congrat-
ulate you, old fellow"
when does the happy event come
off?''
very soon; you'll be invited"
'Who is she?" asked Gilbert, inter
ested.
ga Miss Sterling. whose nature
verities her name; have known her
since she was girl
"Rather anxious time for her when
you were wounded" suggested the
General.
"Oh, but Twas not in much danger,
you know; now some fellows got so
cut up you would hardly recognize
them. There was poor Lawrence
(both his listeners started)-one leg
clean gone, the other up to the knee,
one arm off, and scar across his face
and the plucky chap just smiled
through it all"
Father and son exchanged glances.
"He pulled through, thanks to the
| Iauntal hn :
Laurie, unconscious of the interest
his words aroused "I never saw
that man down until yesterday, when
t he collapsed as though shot"
"How was that?" asked Gilbert, in
constrained voice.
"Well, you see, it was this way; he' IS
l very reticent, still, we all knew he was
. devoted to some girl at home, though
he never mentioned her name or spoke
, about her; couldn't get him into the
F, slightest Irritation with any one. When
we came back together he spoke foi
: the first time to me about his affair.
I You see, Laurie, / am such wreck
should l marry girl when she might
have to nurse me? and then, at best,
: I'm not whole man; will have but
one sound arm and only part of one
leg to offer her. BY George, 1 fell
= for the poor devil when he talked like
that. Well, L suggested to try her
l and see what she thought about it.
:; Write and offer to release her. He
: caught at the idea. But l wouldn't
: write as though pleading with her; ]
would not want to be married out Of
pity, but would just state the focts
aud leave her free to decide said he
: And what do you think she'll write {?
L asked him. L think she is toe
faithful to give me up he answered,
and, 'pon my word-scar or no scar
he looked so proud and handsome as
e he spoke, only wished his sweetheart
could have seen him."
t "And then?" asked Gilbert, as Lau
RE paused in his narrative.
"Oh, then he wrote, alluding to his
t being a wreck, and referring to the ac
. count in the papers, and yesterday hel
4 answer came; was in his looms whel
, he got her note-iust a short one, bu+
he turned white, and said bitterly
, She writes that my views upon til,
4 subject of our engagement ending
meet her own; she releases me, evi
+ IDENTIFY without regret, thankful to b.
l free from what might have been bur
: den to her. / tried TO cheer him up
he gave me one look, such as you se
/ in hunted beast as you shoot it down
and, by Jove, he keeled right ever.
: was in fearful funk, and called hi
: man. He came round presently ant
l begged me not to mention the subiec
again"
"Laurie, for Gods sake explain
/; matters little more" cried Gilbert
who had risen from his chair in grea
) excitement.
"Yes, sir, " cried the General, equal,
' reused, "you don't know how mucl
depends upon what you have beel
, telling. Colonel Lawrence is engage'
9 to my daughter Mona"
'''The mischief!' and the eyeglasi
: dropped from its habitual place.