The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-21


large batch of invalids from the East,
glanced rather arxiously at his patient.
"Oh, I'm all right. Doctor" replied the
latter but, though his words cheerful
enough, the tone they were uttered in was
drcary and respondent.
Wan, haggard, and a shadow of his former
self, Jack Forester vas now just able to
crawl feebly about the deck.
One arm, with it's bone shattered by bull
let lay helpless across his chest; spear
thrust yet, unhealed in his left shoulder,
whilst beneath his short, crisp hair the scar
OF a sabre-cut was plainly visible
Dandy Jack, had won his laurels, and prov
ed himself hero, indeed; but it had been at
no small cost to himself.
In the one short, but decisive engagement
which he had done so much towards render
ing successful he had fought with a reck-
lessness which seemed to evince an utter dis
regard for his life.
And such it was, in truth.
During the voyage out, in the long night
watches, and on the dreary marches through
eastern jungles and passes beneath the
stormy hail of bullets, and when, as it seem
ed, in the jaws of death itself, 1t was not the
face of the girl whom he was betrothed that
was ever before Jacks mental vision.
No; with all the longing desire and bitter
jealousy of a now mature and strong mans
nature, he pictured the graceful form OF MS
little guardian in the arms of her imaginary
lover.
He knew, whilst entering upon it, that
his engagement to Laura Hamilton was but
the hasty outcome of boyish pique, and now.
rendered prematurely mature and keen
sighted by the dangers through which he had
passed, he saw his fiancee plainly in all the
egotism of her shallow and selfish nature
"Oh how could I have been such fool?
he groaned, as he lay helpless in his berth,
during the first portion of the voyage.
It was no very gay and ardent bridegroom
who was fastening home to MS eXpectant
bride
The mighty troopship steamed swiftly UP
=, al nd 90
been the earlier part of her voyage that she
reached Southampton day before she was
due.
A light haze had hidden her from the sig
Mailing stations. and very few friends were
waiting to greet the passengers arriving
| from the East.
Jack saw no welcoming face, and slowly
and painfully he left the ship for the hotel
at which he intended to remain Until more
| fully recovered.
| But Just as he was crossing the gangway,
a letter, which had been some days awaiting
| him was handed him by an official.
| With languid curiosity he opened 1t, and
| read follows:
! "DFAR MR.. FORRESTER:-On behalf of
nv daughter, Laura, must write to ask tnaI
your engagement with her should be con-
sidered at an end. She was greatiy hurt at
the fact of your leaving England without
! taking the trouble 70 have parting lnref-
view with her, and this, in itself, would be
sufficient to put an end to the engagenent:
The loss of your entire property, OF courses
renders it impossible with a girl brought up
&c aura has been. Yours faithfully,
| ''ANASTASIA HAMILTON
| A telling of instant relief was Jacks hrst
sentiment on reading the opening "orus VI
! the cold FLOODED epistle.
| Then his lip curled.
she knew well enough that had no time
| TO see her. he said to himself.
The next moment, however, he felt rather
guilty qualm of conscience as he thougnt
that even if he had possessed time SUM
! cicnt, his parting visit would not nave peen
paid to Laura Hamilton
| What on earth does she mean by having
lost my entire property" he calculated, as
he read further on. Surely have not that
to bear as we'll everything else?'
Strongly agitated in his weak and debili-
tated condition, he at once despatched
telegram to Mr.. Jennings for information,
and Insisting on knowing the facts.
In a very short time the reply arrived.
Am sorry to say bankers failed on day of
your departure. Shares may go up again,
| but at present are worthless Although for
hidden by Mrs Joyce think it only right to
say she has been supplying your wants
Shall arrive at Southampton tomorrow
"Then am hardly more than pauper
Honestly I cannot even afford to live in a
hotel like this!" exclaimed Jack.
On the following morning, not only his So
licitor but his guardian as we'll, arrived at
Southampton, only to find the wounded man,
whose captaincy appeared in that days
! Gazette, had utterly disappeared.
"Oh my poor boy! Wounded alone, and
neglected! Mr. Jennings, find him! Oh, find
him for me quickly or shall go mad!'
The girls eyes shone like stars as she
cutched the lawyers arm with feverish
energy.
Mr. Jennings felt somewhat guilty He