The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-07


temptation to step on it. But Patmore
comirsss that way again several hours later
saw 1t upon the gravel and took It I'D.
IL was Just month after this that
somebody in power, who did not know
what TO be at, saw fit to send him away
somewhere into the wilderness around
Shasta, to do sketches and make plans
that nobody had any special use for, any
way. He was gone for the entire sum-
mer, and he only managed to live through
1t by reading over and over. until he
could have repeated them backward or
any other way, the two letters Miss Tyn-
dali wrote to him during that time
When. one foggy evening Just after re-
treat. he returned to the post, he was met
with the news that his troop was ordered
on foreign service. and was going to leave
within six days. 1t seemed TO him that he
was the football os the gods, their Jest and
sport But Captain Barrett did not con-
Germ himself about that. He had things
to do and TO talk about, and he did not
even remember that there was such a be-
ing on earth as Miss Tyndall. so he kept
Patlnore occupied until tattoo.
What Patmore should have done after
that was to go to his quarters and straight
to bed, because he would be very busy
the next day. What he did do, however,
was to shave and dress and go Just as fast
as his feet and the car would take him to
a dance that was happening in the city.
Miss Tyndall was to be there. She had
told him SO in her last letter. sent three
weeks before
The first person he saw when he went
into the ballroom was Miss Barrett. When
he stopped to speak to her she gave him a
look he did not understand. There was
something in IT besides the usual devo-
ton. He was not sure what But he did
not wait to find out. He was far too in
tent upon finding Miss Tyndall for that.
When he did find her he refused to lose
time on preliminaries and exchange of
civilities- He pushed his way through the
group around her and said that he be-
lieved this was his. and forthwith took
her away. She put her hand on his arm
and looked up at him. He could not I'M
derstand that look either 1t seemed to
be almost fear. They were walking in
full sight of the whole ballroom. But
Patmore did not mind that He would
not have minded even II the music had
not begun just then. AS has been said.
he took himself seriously. He felt that
he had waited too long already There
was no longer time.
DO you know that I am ordered to
the Philippines2" he said.
She nodded her head.
Il have got to go inside of six days.
VIII you marry me before that?"
There were two chairs in a corner,
half hidden in nook of date palms. She
turned aside and sat herself in one. Pat
more took the other.
'Well?" he said.
Nobody has told you, then"
He was white enough already. But he
turned whittier still. Those who danced
by looked at him, then at her. She was
pale too. Told me-what?'' he said
THAT was married two weeks ago."
He sat very quiet for a while, Miss Bar
rett whirled by and he caught the look
in her eyes again--nd understood. When
he spoke at last 1t was quite steady
Whom have you married." he said.
She told him.
He is rich." said Patmore. "and I am
poor. / suppose that was 1t %
She nodded again. 81 must have lux
ury and pretty things and good times.
am selfish and vain
''And yet you loved me- I believe you
lid. You certainly didn't lose any time.
1 have not been away all of three months
"If l had waited until you came back
might not have had the courage" she said.
Patmore pulled off little thread of palm
fiber and twisted it around his finger.
'"Then you did love me-" he said.
She stood up slowly and looked down at
him. THAT doesn't matter-now,' she
told him, lifelessly. MY husband is COM
ing for me. Please don't let him see."
One of her turquoise loaded hands was
picking at fold Of her gown. 1t was a
beautiful gown. Patmore saw that even
then, and knew that it would have cost
him two months pay. 1t was still of sky
blue, but there were tiny pink rosebuds
here and there. He began stu
pidly to count them
As she took her husbands arm and start
ed away ore Of the whirling ruffies caught
On branch OF the palm. 1t gave the
sereech of tearing silk. and : little latter
chung to the thorn. Patmore stopped to
loose it.
She looked down at him over her shoul- |
der. at doesn't matter" she told him;
nothing matters much" Then she smiled |
1t him and Went o.
Patmore never forgot that smile. II |
vas so hard. and forced. and brilliant that |
{ changed her whole face. He walked |
nome from the gates with Miss Barrett |
hat night. 81 have come back, if you |
Will have me. Leila" he said.
And not long thereafter the papers de- |
-oted full score of lines to the details of |
lis gallant death. One of which was that
Tagal bullet which had passed through
lis heart had struck first and Clipped
Ocket which hung about his neck.
His wife had never known of the locket
ntil then. But it came to her in little
ackage of things that his colonel sent
er later on. 1t was of sky blue enamel.
ct with tiny pearls, and she knew, even
efore she opened it, that it was neither
he wisp of hair nor the little photograph
he had given him the day he left that
'ould be within it. So she was quite pre-
AIRED and quiet when she brought herself
open 1t at last and to look down at what
~ in the palm CT her shaking hand-a
ried spray of forget-me- and a little
crap of sky blue silk, with one pink rose
I'D on the torn edge.-Gwendolen Over
IN in the Argonaut.