Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-05-24

state the facts and leave her free 10 dc.
eide, said he. And what do you think
she ii write?' L asked him. L think that
she is too faithful to give me up, he an
swered, and pom my word-scar or no
scar-he looked so proud and handsome
as he spoke 1 only wished his sweet
heart could have seen him."
And them" asked Gilbert as Laurie
paused in his narrative.
"Oh. then ho wrote, alluding TO his
being a wreck, and referring TO the ac-
count in the papers. and yesterday her
answer came. l was in his rooms when
he got her note, just short one. but
he turned white and said bitterly: she
writes that my views upon the subject
Of our engagement ending meet her own.
She releases me, evidently without re-
gret, thankful to be free from what might
have been a burden TO her. L tried 10
cheer him up. He gave me one look.
such as you see In hunted beast as you
shoot 1t down, and. by Jove, he keeled
right over l was in fearful funk. and
called bis man. He came round present
ly and begged me not TO mention the
subject again.
Laurie, for God's sake, explain mat
ters a little morel' cried Gilbert. who
bad risen from his chair in great excite
ment
The major stared at his friend in as
tOnishment.
Yes, sir, " cried the general. equally
reused, you don't know how much de-
pends upon what you have been telling.
Colonel Lawrence is engaged to my
daughter Mona.
1.-The devilv' and the eyeglass drop
ped from its habitual place.
And here's news of his engagement
to another woman"
To another woman?" echoed Laurie.
evidently in hopeless amazement.
The nurse who took care Of him.
There Is "A fiaring account Of it in to-
days Reporter. "
"Itsall lier cried Laurie. fum
bling for his eyeglass and almost drop
ping his lisp. They have mixed our
names up. Ii is that am engaged to
the nurse Miss Sterling, whom | lust
mentioned. Lawrence has never looked
at any other woman nor had thought
except for his fiancee. l can swear TO
that"
Buth his letter" began the general.
"All his confounded chivalry, wish
ing TO give Miss Mona a chance to be
free of an invalid. Why, he's more a
man now, with legs and an arm off. than
half the whipper one meets
every day"
"What is 30 be done?" cried Gilbert.
my sister is nearly broken hearted
"And Lawrence ditto. There's Just
one thing 10 do. Where's the time ia
ble:' and the major was on his feet.
inspecting the mantelpiece.
"What do you meant" asked Gilbert.
Il mean TO take train 10 New York
tonightif there's one that will get me
there"
Nonsense. -
"Do you think am going to see
Lawrence, who saved my life at the risk
of his own, go through another night
of despair?''
But the ball?"
Hang the ballr'
BY thunder, sir, if what you say is
the true explanation of the situation
then You have made three people very
happy tonight, added the general.
Tell your sister that / am off for
New York, and get a note from her.
What time does the train leave?''
There Is one at l1:45. if you really
mean to so.
IF you will kindly order a trap for
me. Ill get ready now" said Laurie,
looking at his watch and relapsing into
his lisp and drawl.
A few minutes later General Higger-
son stood holding Mona. who in a pref
ty pink dressing gown, was sobbing her
heart out for JOY in her fathers arms.
The 1l45 train took Major Laurie back
70 New York. Inside his coat pocket re-
posed short note. stained with tears.
AT 6o'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 de-
manded instant admittance.
81 hope, sir, there's no bad news, q"
said the valet respectfully, "but the
colonel has been so i'll ever since you
left yesterday and has not slept this
night"
bad news? No, no. man-the best
your master has had this many a day.
Hello, Lawrence. May come in, old
fellow?' and Major Laurie walked into
the adjoining bedroom. His friend
started up III 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 dirreetly turned toward the win
dow and pulled up the blind. The
warm sun filled the room with bright
ness. and happy light shone in the
colonels eyes as he read the few hur-
ried lines
Laurie, Laurie" he cried, as his
friend seized his outstretched hand,
she's true to me, after all. Read
that" He handed Mona's letter to
Laurie:
MY DARLING-Forgive me for misunder-
standing your letter. l cannot free you from
our engagement as long l realize that you
love me and that can be Of use TO you. What
matters to me a loss of an arm n leg as long
as you have body enough left to hold your
soul togetherl l am yours till God calls that
soul home TO himself Your loving
MONA
Toward noon of that day Major Lau-
rie had n vision of Mona with her arms