The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-04-21


it; / have put it down outside The1
she yaite1 until she heard father
swearing softly TO himself. Then she
knew matters would right themselves
and went downstairs.
At breakfast somehow nobody had
much to say. Bob wanted TO talk. bat
felt that his one tcpic-his luck at be-
ing sent TO the fron'-wouId not he
exactly congenial to his listeners. So
he ~refrained, and ate a hearty break
fast.
He would carry the memory of his
last meal away with him to the far
eff land. The tender face of mother,
smiling brayely from behind The bub-
bling. steaming 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 he had
played as a child; the loving eyes of
Nell beaming upon him across the
table. Yes, home was home, although
he was the luckiest subaltern in :as
service.
By and by the trap at the door. and
the servants gathered in the hall TO
wish him good luck and Go6speed. Bob
shook hands with them all and thanked
them, and then he stood with mother
in the porch alone. He could not see
her face distinctly for the mist across
hi M apa rha nay. mnuenf he and
father were walking quickly down the
drive. along which the dogcart was 60
ing slowly forward to await them at
the gates beyond. Father remarked
that the new gamekeeper was giving
satisfaction. and that there was every
prospect OF the covers yielding better
sport the next autumn.
I'VE shall have you home again be-
fore then. my boy" he said.
Rather. sir" answered Bob; I've
shall o take long 10 settle this little
affair"
At the lodge. the ganekeeper's four
boys were standing in n row. They
lad three-cornered paper hats On their
heads and wooden swords in their
hands. and they greeted Bob with sun
dry salutes and hurrahs. And Bob
laughed. and gave them a penny each.
''Nou must keep up your drilling" he
said. I'VE shall be wanting new re-
cruits in the regiment by and by
And then the gate was opened. and
Bob climbed 20 the back seat of the
art. Far away at the house some
thing futtered white from a window.
and Bob took out his handkerchief and
signaled 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 rot a doorway that had not
some one standing On the threshold to
bid him Godspeed.
lis the Young squire off to the
war" they cried one to the other. and
the mems eyes flashed and their voices
rose; but newcomers 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 hat the gift of the
women was something dearer than
life.
And all the time Bob's heart was
singing to him; he did not know that
the song had come down to him from
the long ago time when the sea kings
had gone forth with their battle songs
to be the terror and c~onquerors of dis
liant lands. He did not know; but so
it was. and twas a goodly heritage.
OF which Bob in his joy and Impotence
rocked little.
So the station was reached and the
last good-by spoken; and father
grasped Bob's hand. "You will-do
your duty" father said; II am sure of
it."
And Bob's face flushed. THANK you,
sir" he answered, in a husky voice;
land my love to mother."-Pall
Mall Gazette.