The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18

waking had called her name. But Bob
had net called: he had slept like top.
Presently the grey dawn grew pink. and
little shafts of light crept through the We
netian binds picking out the pictures on
the wdiis, the mirror Of the wardrobe. and
the gallant figure OF Bob himself on the
mantelpiece, photographed in full uni
form.
Mothers vigil was ended. She rose soft
ly, slipped on her dressing gown and slip
pers and stole along the corridor TO Bob's
room.
Bob lay. six foot of British manhood,
yellow haired straight limbed, deep chest
ed, sound asleep.
The few dreams that had visited him had
been sweet to the heart of a soldier Not
a shadow OF fear had disturbed his slum-
bers He had been assisting in kill
ing the enemy by shrapnel rife and
bayonet in thousands. and now they lay
around him like corn after the sickle. and
Bob smiled and awoke and saw mother
standing looking down upon him. 1t was
no unusual sight to see her there; yet to-
day something stirred in his breast. and
Bob put up his arms and drew her head
down to his breast.
MY baby-my boy, mother murmured.
On, my darlingi"
Bob bore it with admirable grace. but
he did not like it-not little bit; and
as soon as he could he wriggled free and
asked the time.
There was lime and to spare, and mother
said. IL he did not mind, she would like 10
read one Of the morning Psalms to him; it
would comfort her, she said. And Bob con-
scented, like the gentleman he was, and Law
still while she read thinking what pretty
hair she had-;t fell in long plat right
below her waist. Then she kissed him
again, and went, and when he was quite
sure he could count on isolation Bob got
up and wandered among the litter OF uni
form cases and pOrtmanteaus that lay
about the floor Then he took up his Glen
garry and, putting il on. regarded his re-
Election in the mirror with complacency.
And his pride must be excused. for he was
a newly fedged subaltern of twenty years,
recalled from leave to rejoin his battalion.
which sailed on the morrow for the seat
of war.
Having adjusted the cap at every con-
ceivable angle. he replaced it and con-
tinued his toilet. His cheeks were per-
fectly irlocent of beard, an3 twenty min
utes saw him fully attired, immaculate in
braid new srit, and the stiffest and
highesi OF shin. white collars.
Just Ut this moment a knock came al the
door, aud mis- sister, his junior by three
years entered the room II was easy to
see she had been weeping but Bob ex-
pected is much, and in his heart did not
resent it, He put his arm around her
waist and kissed her.
Nearly time TO be or he cried, with
almost brutal cheerfulness, and turned TO
strap his portmanteau, whistling a mar
tal ditty
Nall -lf ffftt~tN he aNe nf tbe bod
and surveyed the array of baggage with
mixed feelings. She was very proud OF
Bob fe was dear hero, but il only the
war were now over and he back again,
crowned with glory, Other girls brothers
had gone and-well she would not let her
self think. She wished she had been kind
er to Bob in the days gone by. Now the
little unthought-of omissions would be
ghosts TO haunt her conscience till he was
back again She would like to have told
Bob she was sorry, but she knew he would
laugh at her for little goose, and, be-
sides. it would look as if she felt this
was indeed goodbye, so she choked back
the lump in her throat and sat with brave
eyes stoically watching Bob. who stood in
the window examining his revolver.
But, strive as she would. she could not
check the thoughts that the sight brought
to her mind. Bob with a revolver in his
hand-yes, but far away in the midst OF
the din and smoke of battle, surrounded
by the foe; dauntless. wounded, bloody
dying-dying, With little cry she rose
TO her feet.
Bob. who had been taking careful aim
at the gas globe. turned at the sound.
''Halloo," he exclaimed what's up, Nell?
You look as ii you had seen a ghost" Then
his eyes followed her gaze. Little cow
ard" he cried teasingly, Il believe you got
funky at the sight of this revolver
Nell stopped short on her way to the
door. then she gave a queer little laugh
We'll. perhaps | did. she said, and went
quickly from the room.
Bob went back and finished his packing;
then he caught up his pOTtmanteau and
helmet case and went downstairs.
In the hall Perkins. the man servant.
met him. and hurried forward with a
scared face. "Oh, sir he cried reproach-
fully. you shouldn't. really sir. |
wouldn't have had it happen for worlds.
sir he said. pathetically, as he took the
case and portmanteau from Bob's hands
oh il is all right, Perkins" Bob an
swered. with splendid condensation.
whereupOn one of the housemaids. who was
witness of the scene, hurried Off to the
kitchen below.
He's down" she exclaimed breathless-
ly, "a-carrying of his own portmanteau and
looking as handsome and cheerful fer all
the world as If he was a-going to b. mar
ried. instead of off to the war.
Poor dear" said cook, as she turned
the chops: peer innocent dear,''
Perkins hurried down at this moinent.
TO think he cried tragicaIly. "as he's
strapped his own traps and carried down
his own portmanteau. and he off to war.
I'd have lost a whole months wage sooner
than this ere should have happened. Sup
posing he's killed, and I've got TO remem-
Der that he waited on hisself the last
morning.
Amt he cheerful" said Mary. the
housemaid He don't look as if he meant
to be killed
"Oh, they none of EN- mean to be killed,
but that don't make bullets blank cart
ridges" Perkins answered grimly.
In the meantime mother had dressed.
She had borne up bravely throughout.
Once. though, her lips had trembled; that
was when the sound Of Bob's gay whistling
had reached her ears. But even then low
ing pride had flashed into her eyes and
choked down sorrow. Her boy was brave
brave and true: and duty. she knew full
we'll. would find him a hero.
She wondered if father who was in the
dressing room, could hsar the sound. She
would like TO have called to him only she
was Just a little hurt at mis- apparent I'M
concern at his sons departure But after
all. she thought. he was only a man he
could not know 4 mothers heart: his
breast had not pillowed the little sunny
head in the years gone by: he had not
cried with joy when the little feet had
taken their first unsteady steps across the
floor How well she remembered that day.
and how proud she had felt of her son! He
was such a fine baby. She had placed him
against =. chair, and he had looked up at
her with round eyes of wonder; then. when