The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-08-02
CHAP nR II.-(Continued.) J

Rothes-fOr 1t was HEN a low voice:
but hardly expected you would
come today, with these terrible rumors
about
Bluebell's eyes grew larger than
their won't.
"Rumors? Haven't heard any," she
said. What are they. Doctor Rothes?'.
You haven't heard?" He had not
released her hand, and was holding it
very closely now. They say that the
Beers are marching into Natal"
"Oh!" Bluebell uttered little cry,
and the ross color faded out of her
face. Is it war, tnen?"
81 suppose So" Rothes answered
grayely. ut seems Kruger has as good
3 as declared war by sending message
to England demanding that our troops
should be Immediately recalled from
South Africa
Bluebell sat very still on her horse,
her hands clasped; Rothes had at last
withdrawn his.
Twill thew come to Ladysmith?" she
whispered at last.
Rothes nodded. "That is what is
expected. We shall be besieged. The
Inhabitants are beginning to fly al
ready, and expect in few days
Ladysmith will be deserted except by
the garrison"
And you. what will you do?" Blue
bell asked. There was little culver
in her voice, which seemed to send a
swift thrill of mingled joy and pain to
Rothes' very soul.
II shall remain here, of course" he
answered, trying to speak in his usual
tone. unless there is fighting out
side. If there is shall go with the
army
Bluebell was silent for moment,
and then she said:
You will be on our side, of course?"
81 will be with the British army"
Rothes answered quietly, "but, thank
heaven, a doctors business is not to
fight on any particular side, or to slay
his brother, but to do what he can for
those who are wounded and dying on
either side. But you are going into
the town, Miss Leslie? 1 must not
keep you"
81 have messages" said Bluebell;
but will not wait long, as am go
Ing back alone"
May go bit of the way with
your" Rothes asked eagerly. 81 dc
not like the idea of you riding those
twelve miles alone with the country in
this unsettled state"
Her soft eyes fell suddenly. Bluebell
would hardly acknowledge to herself
how her heart beat and her veins
thrilled at the proposal.
Thank you" she said the next
moment. at is kind of you. shall
isave the town about three, think"
"Then / shall be here at that time, :"
he answered. Goodbye, just now"
And he moved away.
Bluebell rode on into the town.
The terrible tidings had shocked and
Mortified her, but she was not fright
ened There was little fear in Bluebell
Leslie's nature, small and childish and
fragile as she looked. And she was a
woman; and the look in Adair Rothes
eyes, the close, warm clasp of his
hand, occupied her thoughts almost
more than this terrible picture of
war.
She found Ladysmith in state Of
confusion. Many of the shops were
shut. But Bluebell managed to get
her business done, and then went to
see one of her acquaintance.
She found her busy preparing for
departure.
Il suppose it's safer to CO., said
Mrs Lloyd, pretty little English wo-
man, whose husband was an engineer.
"Ted insists on my going; but don't
feel as if could leave him here
alone
you are going and Mr.. Lloyd is
remaining?" exclaimed Bluebell, with
startled eyes. and then: ooh, Nellie,
how can you?"
81 would not, of course, if 1 had only
myself to consider" said Mrs. Lloyd,
the tears springing to her eyes; "but
there is my poor little baby, Bluebell."
What of that?" said Bluebell. "A
wife's place is beside her husband,
surely? Better you should both die
together, if the worst comes, than that
you should be separated. Nellie, how
would you feel if anything happened
to your husband and you so far
away"
Nellie burst into tears.
Eyes, you, are quite right, Bluebell. l
held out against Ted ever SO long, and.
now that you speak like that, 1 feel
thatI have been very cowardly to give
in to him. No, won't go!''
Bluebell left her friend, whose mind
was thoroughly made up, after
little, and the two friends kissed each
other, with the feeling that they might
never meet again on earth Bluebell
kept back her own tears, and answer
ed the little woman as bravely as she
could, but as she rode out of the town
B her path was all blurred by the blind
ing tears that came to her eyes now.
Doctor Rothes was waiting for her,
mounted on fine chestnut horse of his
own, and together they rode on in
Silence until they were out Of sight
of the town.
You saw one of your friends?"
Rothes said at last.
( Yes. saw Mrs. Lloyd. She is go
lt~s to stay at Ladysmith even il 1t is
besiesed.''
Brave little woman!" said Rothes,
q tone of emotion in his voice "I al