Evening journal., 1899-08-15
HER MISTAKf.
7lV'IF MN 'SF az ~ ~
hOUITE comfortable now?" asked
~ Crawford, Of the News, US he

''BcHoOtly. tho1kS4
The two men occspied sheltered
nook on the cliffs n Hastings, close ts
the Palace hotel, and Crawford, after
arranging Nandeleur's rug, threw him
self into a grass chair and lit bis pipe,
Varleleur closed his eyes restfully.
He looked pale and thin. and his left
arm rested in a sling.
Altar a feW1puffs Crawford burst out;
by Jovel isn't this glorious? What
a difference there is between it and
Omdurmanl"
~Ratherl All the same, liked IT,. !
liked the rush and whirl; ay, even the
killing and the chance OF being killed;
adding cynically. Il suppose am un-
grateful. but sometimes l wish that
Arab sword. had caughtme few inches
lower down"
"ohl stop that. What ails you, mar?
l often wonder whether il was profes-
sional enterprise made you so reckless,
ora loye.affair, Ell? BY Joyel 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 ify you
had completely recovered; seemed quite
interested in you. old chap. Her name
is Sinclair"
~Sinclair?"
"Yes-heavensi what's the matter,
old man2 You do look queer"
swell, cid fellow. you see knew hex
once, Engaged. got ohucked; some
how, you see. / caR't--yeu understand
Crawford quietly stopped down and
grasped Vandeleur's hand. There was
lot OF silent sympathy in that quiet
handelasp.
Nandelcru was always somewhat OF a
mystery to Crawford. The latter could
never understand why a'successful nov.
elist such as he was had given up a
promising future. His hairbreadth es-
coPes had become the talk X the army.
1t was at 0mdurman his run of~luck al
most came to close.
They had dragged him from bene@h
the heap OF bodies. and at'first evefyone
: thought that the deryish s'Serd had
finished the mad correspondent" Of the
Sentinel.
The shave was a close one, but never
theless they had pulled him found
And now he was on the fair road to re-
covex.
After pause Crawford spoke.
Forgive me. old chap; didn't know
You see, we hadn't met until atter-
after thht."
Don't apologize; um so confound
edly weosS. Crawford, can't stay here
/ must get away. | cart meet heI
again-or, AZ least. not yetg'
"Oh. nonsense! You can't SO JUS
when TIE air,fs pulling you rornd g
, VOL. Besides. there is little POSSIBILITY
! OF your meeting, as sine is not ever
: aware of your being here. HALO
there's White calling me. Do you'minI
my leaving you for a few minutes"
Not tall. In fact-I am afraid it'i
not exactly complimentary 10 you, Ole
4 fellow, but would rather be alone for
bit. You understand2'
Crawford comprehended, and merely
> said: 81 understand. old man; III b
back in half an hour" tlgen quieNl
= walked Off.
Vandeleur sat thinking. His thonsht
we're bitter as they went back tw'
years, and he recalled the heartles
manner in which thiA womsn thres
him over without any perseptible rea
son. lie could never understand it.
2 Are all women the same? lie won
dered. Does every woman play with
: man merely to fool him in the endf
E But his cogitations abruptly cease'
? as his glance wandered down the pat
in the direction Of the hotel.
He started slightly and flush showe'
itself Tor moment in his thin feature.
A strangely familiar figure was com
2 ing toward him, and his fingers ner'
Z ousiy twisted and untwistcd as h
I recognized the one woman in all Oh
r world whom he least desired to meet.
a His natural impulse was 10 get away
L but weakness rendered such proceed
ing impossible.
{. In his weak state the sight Of her cor
jured up strange emotions. He fel
more keepiy his own helplessness, an
: then, as he watched her, there arose
d his heart passionate longing for syn
a pathy and rest.
J. II only, II oRly-bahl what fool b
a was--as big feoi as he was IS month
ago almostl
q So immersed was Miss Sinclair wit
her reading that she failed tonotice II
man, who was rather feebly essagihg
light cigarette. until she was quii
:, close.
J. At the first glance. however, she re
ofl ognized him, af1d the sudden shock WI
lr almost painful. but. recovering herse
d In a moment walked straight up
m Vandeleur and held'out her hand, sa.
u ing gently:
81 am so glad, Mr.. Nandeleur, to 81
that you are better-so very blad."
Although Vandeleur's heart be
quickly. he was outwardly calm al
~ - cool as he replied. nonchalantly:
= Thank you. Except for the fact
IN feeling rather weak now and then, a
D. comparatively well. 1 trust you a
m quite well. Miss Sinclair?"