New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-11

hahn NToN- lie uaQ put on OGC OOOLS
morning. She no longer felt lonely in her grief
He cared too; his heart was aching also for
their sons departure. Oh those blessed odd
boOtsl
But she knew his nature, and stood for a mo-
ment wondering how best to tell him Of his
mistake without annoying him. And presently
mother on her way downstairs, tapped at the
dressing room outer door "One OF your lace
boots" she said IT stumbled over It; have
put it down outside" Then she waited until
she heard father swearing softly himself
Then she knew matters would right themselves
and went downstairs
At breakfast somehow nobody had much 10
say Bob wanted TO talk but felt that his one
topic-his luck at being sent to the front
would not be exactly congeniai TO his listeners
So ne refrained. and ate hearty breakfast
He would carry the memory Of his last meal
away with him 10 the far off and The tender
face Of mother, smiling braveIy from behind
the bubbling, steamins urn; the dainty spread
table. the pleasant luxurious room, with its
handsome pictures. the broad bow window,
from which he could see the dear old garden
where ne mad played as a child, the loving eyes
ot Nell 5eamlng upon his across the table.
Yes, home vas home although he was luckiest
sEbaltern n the service.
BY and by the trap vas at the door and the
servants gathered ii the hall to wish him good
luck and Godspeed Bob shook hands with
them all and thanked them and then he stood
with mother n the qorch-aIone. He could not
see her face distinctly for the mist across his
eyes; and the next moment ne ana father were
walking quickly down the drive. along which
the dogca-t was going slowly forward 10 await
them al the gates beyond. Father remarked
that the new gamekeeper was giving satisfac-
ton, and that there was every prospect Of the
covers yielding better sport the next autumn.
We shall have you home again before then,
my boy" he said
Rather, SIR answered Bob; we shall not
take long To settle this little affair"
At the lodge the samekeeper's four boys were
standing in 4 They mad three cornered
paper hats on their heads. and wooden swords
in their hands, and they greeted Bob with sun
dry salutes and hur-ahs And Bob laughed, and
gave them penny each You must keep up
your drilling" ne said. We snail be wanting
new recruits IN the regiment by ana by"
And then the gate was opened. and Bob
climbed TO the back seat Of the cart Far away
1t the house something ftutteTed white from
window and Bob took out his handkerchief and
signalied back again. Then The boys cheered
afresh. and the trap turned INTO the lane, and
home was already a thing Of the past.
As they drove through the village there was
hot doorway tAdl Hau MOI some one SIA1lo-i4s
on the threshold TO bid him Godspeed.
It's the young squire off to the war" they
cried one 10 the other, and the mems eyes
flashed and their voices rose. but the wonen's
eyes filed with tears as they saw him drive past
God keep him" they said, and comfort his
mothers heart" For they knew that the men
gave willingly their lives for their country but
that the gift Of The women was something
dearer than life.
And ali the while Bobs heart was singing TO
him; ne did not know that the song had come
down TO him from the long ago time when the