The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-06-07

OFF," pp'
Very soon; you'll be invited"
who Is she = asked Gilbert, inter-
ested
"A Miss Sterling, whose nature veri-
fies her name; have known her since
she was a girl"
Rather anxious time for her when
you were wounded" suggested the
general.
oh, but l was not in much danger,
you know; now some fellows got so
cut up you would hardly recognize
them. There was poor Lawrence
Doth his listeners started)- leg clean
gone, the other up to the knee. one
arm off. and scar across his face
and the plucky chap just smiled
through II ALL"
Father and son exchanged glances.
HE pulled through, thanks to the
devoted nursing he got" continued
Laurie, unconscious of the interest his
words aroused. II never saw that
man down until yesterday, when he
collapsed as though shot"
tlow was thatY' asked Gilbert, in
a constrained voice.
well, YOU see. it was this way; he's
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 slightest Irritation with any
one. When we came back together he
spoke for the first time to me about
his affair You see. Laurie. am such
wreck, should | marry girl when
she might have to nurse me? and then.
at best I'm not n whole man: will
have but one sound arm and only part
of one leg to offer her BY George,
! felt for the poor devil when he talk
cd like that. Well. | suggested to try
her ana see what she thought about it.
Write and offer TO release her. He
caught at the idea But | wouldn't
write as though pleading with her;
would not want to be married out of
pity. but would just state the facts
and leave her free to decide said he.
And what do you think she II write
| asked him. 4 think that she is too
faithful to give me up he answered,
and pom my word-scar or no scar
he looked so proud and handsome as
he spoke. | only wished his sweetheart
could have seen him"
"And them asked Gilbert, as Laurie
paused in his narrative.
"On. then he wrote, abiding to his
being a wreck and referring to the
account in the papers. and yesterday
her answer came: | was in his rooms
when he got her note-iust short
one. but he turned white. and said
bitterly. She writes that my views
upon the subject of our engagement
ending meets her own; she releases
me, evidently without regret thank
full to be free from what might have
been burden to her | tried to cheer
srnN
you see in Il hunted beast as you shoot
it down, and. bv .Jove. he keeled right
over. was in fearful state, and
cailed his name. Tie came round pres
emily and begged me not to mention
the subject again"
Laurie. for Gods sake explain mat
tiers little more" cried Gilbert. who
had risen from his chair in great eX-
element.
The major stared at his friend in
establishment.
Yes. sir aied the general. equally
reused. you don't know how much
depends upon what you have been tell
ing. Colonel Lawrence is engaged to
my daughter Mona"
"Ihe devilw and the eyeglass drop
"And here's news. of his engagement
to another woman!'
10 announcer WOMAN Z! ecnOeu Laurie
evidently in hopeless amazement.
"'The nurse who took care of him.
There is flaring account of it in to-
days Reporter"
ITS ali lie," cried Laurie. fumbl-
ing for his eyeglass and almost drop
ping his lisp. They have mixed our
names up; it is | that am engaged to
the nurse. Miss Sterling, whom | just
mentioned; Lawrence has never look
ed at any other woman nor had
thought except of his fiancee: | can
swear to that There's just one thing
to do. Where's the time table, and
the major was on his feet inspect
ing the mantelpiecc.
"What do you mean?" asked Gilbert.
Il mean to take a train to New York
tonight, if there's one that will get
me there"
Nonsense"
40 YOU think I am going to see
Lawrence. who saved my life at the
risk of his own. so through another
night of despair
At 6 o'clock next morning a thunder
ing rap at the door of Colonel Law
rence's room brought sleepy, half
dressed valet to Major Laurie, who
demanded instant admittance.
II hope, sir, there's no bad news
said the valet respectfully, but the
colonel has been 50 i'll ever since you
left yesterday and has not slept this
night"
bad news? No, no, mantle best
your master has had this many day.
Hello, Lawrence: may | come in. old
fellow" and Major Laurie walked in
to the adjoining bedroom. His friend
started up in bed at his entrance and
tried to ask a question, but Mona's
note was in his hand before he had
time to frame the words. "She will
be here herself in a few hours" said
Laurie, and discreetly turned toward
the window and pulled up the blind;
the warm sun filled the room with
brightness and happy light shone
In the coloners eyes as he read the
few hurried lines.
Laurie, Laurie" he cried, as his
friend seized his Outstretched hand;
she's true to me. after all Read
that" He handed Monas letter to
Laurie:
My darling" she wrote, forgive
me for misunderstanding your letter.
4