The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-09
Ordered to Anca.


All the doors IN the corridor were
etill closed--all except mothers. She
had left hers ajar through the night
In case Bob waking, had called hex
name But Bob had not called; he had
slept like a top.
Presently the gray dawn grew pink,
and little shafts OF light crept through
the Venetian blinds. picking out the
pictures on the walls. the mirror of the
wardrobe. and the gallant figure of Bob
himself on the mantelpiece. photo-
graphed I'm full uniform.
Mothers vigil was ended. She rose
softly, slipped on her dressing gown
and slippers. and stole along the corri-
dor to Bobs room.
Bob lay, six foot of British manhood.
yellow haired, straight limbed, deep
chested. sound asleep.
The few dreams that had visited him
had been sweet 10 the heart or a SOL
dier. Not a shadow of fear had dis
furbed his slumbers. He had been as
sisting In killing the enemy by shrap-
mel, rifle and bayonet in thousands,and
now they lay around him like corn
after the sickle. and Bob smiled and
awoke and saw mother stand ng look
ing down upon him. 1t was no un-
usual sight TO see her there; yet TO-DAY
something stirred in his breast, and
Bob put up his arms and drew her head
down TO his breast.
my baby-my boyl' mother muir
INJURED "Oh. my darling!"
Bob bore ii with admirable grace, but
he did not like it-not "A little bit; ana
as soon as he could he wriggled him.
self free and asked the time.
There was time and 10 spare, and
mother said, If he did not mind, she
would like to read one of the morning
psalms 10 him: il would comfort her,
sne said. And Bob consented, Ike the
gentleman he was. and lay still while
she read, thinking what pretty hair
she had--it fell in long plait right be-
low her waist Then she kissed him
again, and went and when he was
quite sltre he could count on ISOLATION
Bob got up and wandered among the
litter OF uniform cases and portinan-
teaus that lay about the floor. Then he
took up his Glengarry. and, putting II
on regarded his reflection in the mir
ror with complacency. And his pride
must be excused. for he was a newly
fiedged subaltern of twenty years. re-
called from leave to rejoin his battai-
ion, which sailed on the morrow Tor liz
seat of war.
Having adjusted the cap at every
conceivable angle he replaced IL and
continued his toilet. His cheeks were
perfectly innocent OF beard, and twen-
ty minutes saw him fully attired. inn
maculate in a brand new suit, and the
stiffest and highest of shiny white col
lars.
Just at this moment knock came at
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 i'm his heart
did not resent 1t. He put his arm round
her waist and kissed her.
Nearly time TO be off, he cried, with
almost brutal cheerfulness, and turned
20 strap his portmanteau, whistling a
martial ditty.
Nell sat down on the edge of the bed
and surveyed the array of baggage
with mixed feelings. She was very
proud of Bob. He was a dear hero: but
81 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 ut
her for little goose; and besides, 1T