The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-05-11
ORDERED TO AFRICA.

OIIULIILU " III HULL
! All the doors of the corridor were
still closed-all except mothers. She
had left hers ajar through the night,
in case Bob, waking, had called her
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 gal
liant figure of Bob himself on the
mantelpiece, photographed in full uni
form.
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 foot of British man.
hood, yellow haired, straight limbed,
deep cheste%l, sound asleep.
The few dreams that had visited
him had been sweet to the heart Of
a soldier Not shadow of fear had
disturbed his slumbers. He had been
assisting in killing the enemy by
shrapnel, rifle and bayonet in thou
sands, 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. ooh, my darling!"
Bob bore it with admirable grace,
but he did not like it-not a little
bit; and as soon as he could he wrig-
gled 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 gentleman he was, and lay still
while she read, thinking what pretty
hair she had-it fell in a long plat
right below her waist. Then she kiss
ed 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 Glengarry, and,
putting it on, regarded his reflection
In the mirror with complacency.
And his pride must be excused, for he
was a newly fledged subaltern Of
twenty years, recalled from leave to
rejoin his battalion, which sailed on
the morrow for the seat of war.
Having adjusted the cap at every
annnaiuo1N1n n1o h4
continued his toilet. His cheeks were
perfectly innocent Of beard, and twen-
ty minutes saw him fully attired, i'm
maculate in brand new suit, and
the stiffest and highest Of shiny white
collars.
Just at this moment a knock came
at the door, and his sister, his junior
by three years, entered the room. It
was easy to see she had been weep
ing, but Bob expected as much. and
In lbs 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 a martial ditty.
Nell sat down on the edge of the
bed and surveyed the array of bag
gage with mixed feelings. She was
very proud of Bob. He was a dear
hero; but If only the war were over
and he back again, crowned with
glory! Other girls brothers had
also 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; and
besides, 1t would look as If she felt
this was indeed goodby; so she chok-
ed back the lump in her throat and
sat with brave eyes stoically watch
ing Bob, who stood in the window ex-
aiming his revolver.
But, strive as she would, she could
not check the thoughts that the sight
brought to her mind. Bob with a re-
volver in his hand-yes, but far away
in the midst Of the din and smoke Of
battle, surrounded by the foe; daunt.
less, wounded, dy-dying-dyingi
With little cry she rose to her feet.
Bob, who had been taking careful
aim at the gas globe, turned at
the sound. "Halloo!" he exclaimed,
whats up, Nell? You look as if you
had seen a ghost. Then his eyes fol-
lowed her gaze. Little coward!" he
cried teasingly. "I believe you got
f-cl~ at the sight of this revolver"
Ncil stopped short on her way to
the door. then she gave queer little
lHN~h. "EC'l perhaps l did," she
/ said, and went quickly from the room.
Bob went back and finished his
hacking; then he caught up his port
manteau and helmet case and went
downstairs.
II the mean time mother had
dressed. She had borne up bravely
throughout. Once, though, her lips
had trembled; that was when the
sound of Bob's gay whistling had
reached her ears. But even then low
ing pride had flashed into her eyes
and choked down sorrow. Her boy
was brave-brave and true; and duty,
she knew full well, would find him a
hero.
She wondered if father, who was in
the dressing room, could hear the
sound. She would like to have call
ed to him, only she was just a little
hurt at his apparent unconcern at his
sons departure. But after all, she
thought, he was only man; he could
not know a mothers heart; his breast
had not pillowed the little sunny head
in the years gone by; he had not
cried with Joy when the little feet
had taken their first unsteady stems
across the floor Hcv we'll she re-
memhered tba+ dow oDd bor, ,,,c,, 4