Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-03-20
ORDERED TO AFRICA


left hers ajar through the night, in case
Bob, waking, had called her name. But
Bob had not called; he had slept like
top.
Presently the gray dawn grew pink,
and little shafts of light crept through
The Venetian blinds, picking out the pic
lures on the walls, the mirror of the
wardrobe, and the gallant figure of Bob
himself on the manreIpiece, photographed
in full uniform.
Mothers vigil was ended She rose
softly, slipped on her dressing gown and
slippers, and stole along the corridor to
BobS room.
Bob lay. six feet of British manhood,
yellcwhaired. STRAIGHTFORWARD, deep
chested, sound asleep.
The few dreams that had visited him
had been sweet to the heart of sol
der. Not a shadow Of fear had dis
turbed his slumbers. He had been as
sisting in killing 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 today something stirred
in his breast. and Bob put up his arms
and drew her head down to his breast.
My baby-my boy mother MUIR
INJURED. "Oh, my darling"
Bob bore it with admirable grace, but
he did not like it-not q little bit; and as
soon as he could he wriggled himself
free and asked the time.
There was time and to spare, and
mother said. If he did not mind, she
would like to read one of the morning
Psalms to him; it would comfort her, she
said. And Bob consented, like the gen
tleman he was, and lay still while she
road thinEiOU VIII at t4u h Dir cba b1G
it fell in a long plait 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 uniform
cases and portmanteauS that lay about
the floor. Then he took up his Glengar-
~, and, putting it on, regarded his re-
Election III the mirror with complacency.
And his pride must be excused, for he
was q newlyhedged subaltern of 20
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-
celvable angle, he replaced it and cOntill-
ued his toilet. His cheeks were perfectly
innocent Of beard, and twenty minutes
saw him fully attired. immaculate in
brand-new suit. and the stiffest and high
est Of shiny white collars
Just at this moment a knock came al
the door, and his sister, his junior by
three years, entered the room. 1t was
easy to see she had been weeping, but
Bob expected as much, and in his heart
did not resent it. He put his arm round
her waist and kissed her
Nearly time to be off, he cried with
almost brutal cheerfulneSs, and turned
to strap his portmanteau, whistling Il
martial ditty.
Nell sat down on the bed and sur
veyed the array of baggage with mixed
CrC ha e po1
He was dear hero; but if only the war
were over and he back again, crowned
with glory, Other girls brothers had
gone, and-well, she would not let herself
think. She wished she had been kinder
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;
ano besides, it would look as if she felt
this was indeed goodby; so she choked
back the lamp in her throat and sat
with brave eyes stoicalfy watching Bob.
VINO stood III 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 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
-dylng-dylng. With a little cry she
rose to her feet
Bob, who had been taking careful aim
ri the gas globe, turned at the sound.
"HallOO.' he exclaimed, whats I'D.
Nell! You look as if you had seen a
ghost. Then his eyes followed her gaze.
Little cowardI'' he cried teasingly. Il
believe you got funky at the sight of
this revolver"
NolI ctonpoJ cbor+ -, -
door, then she gave a queer little laugh.
ell, perhaps [ did, she said. and went
quickly from the ROOM
Bob went back and finished his pack
ing; then he caught up his portmanteau
and helmet case and went downstairs.
In tie hall Perkins, the man servant.
met him and hurried forward with q
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 Bobs hands.
"Oh, it is all right, Perkins," Bob
answered with splendid condescension:
Whereupon one of the housemaids, who
was witness Of the scene, hurried off
to the kitchen below.
Hes down., she exclaimed breathIess-
ly, "a-carrying of his own portmanteau
and looking as handsome and cheerful for
all the world as if he was a-going to be
L.
Poor dear!' said cook, as she turned
the chops; poor innocent DEAR
Perkins hurried down at this moment.
ITO think, he cried tragically. las he's
strapped his own traps and carried down
his own portmanteau, and he off to the
war! I'd have lost whole months
wages sooner than this ere should have
happened. Supposing he's killed. and
I've got TO remember 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 'em mean to be
killed, but that don't make bullets blank
cartridges" 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 whist
ling had reached her ears. But even
then loving pride had flashed into her
eyes and choked Gown sorrow. Her boy
was orave-brave' and true; and duty.
she knew full well, would find him a
hero.
She wondered if father, who was in