The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18
Ordered TO South Africa.

turned aside, and her hands busted them
selves among the brushes and trays on the
dressing table for her quick eye has de-
'ected that father was wearing odd boots
"A huttoned and a lseed-up one. To think
or IT, He, the soul OF precision. to thus
oetray himself But there his abstraction
stood confessed. And oh. how mother
loved him for il, He had been such a
stoic, too Well, there was no account
ing Tor mans ways. but. thank God he
had put on odd boots that morning. She
no longer felt lonely in her grief. He
cared, too; his heart was aching also for
their sons departure. Oh, those blessed
odd boots,
But she knew his nature. and stood for
moment wondering how best to tell him
OF his mistake without annoying him.
And presently mother. on her way down
stairs. tapped At the dressing room outer
door. One OF your lace boots, she said.
Il stumbled over 1t: I have put II down
outside" Then she waited until she heard
father swearing softly to himself. Then
she knew matters would right themselves
and went downstairs.
At breakfast somehow nobody had much
10 say. Bob wanted TO talk but fe. that
his one topic-his luck at being sent TO
the front-would not be exactly congeniaI
to his listeners. So he refrained, and ate
a hearty breakfast
meal away with him to the far-off land.
The tender face of mother. smiling brayely
from behind the bubbling. steamins urn;
the dainty spread table: the pleasant lux
urious 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 his across the table.
| Yes, home was home, although he was
| the fuckiest subaltern in the service
BY and by the trap was at the door and
! tile servants gathered in the hall to wish
him good luck and godspeed. Bob shook
hands 9TH 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 his eyes;
and the next moment he and father were
walking quickly down the drive. along
which the dogcart was going slowly for
ward TO await them at the gates beyond.
Father remarked that the new gamekeeper
was giving satisfaction, and that there
was ever,' prospect Of the covers yielding
| better sport the next autumn.
we snail have you home again before
then, my boy he said.
Rather. sir," answered Bob; we shall
not take long to settle this little affair.
At the lodge, the gamekeepers four
boys were standing in row. They had
three cornered paper hats on their heads
and wooden swords in their hands. and
they greeted Bob with sundry salutes and
hurrahs And Bob laughed, and gave
them a penny each. You must keep Up
your drilling" he said. I'VE shall be
wanting new recruits in the regiment by
and by"
Aad then the gate was opened and Bob
climbed to the back seat of the cart. Far
away at the house something fiuttered
white from window. and Bob took ont
his handkerchief and signaled back again.
Then the boys cheered afresh and the trap
turned into the lane. and home was al
ready a thing of the past.
AS they drove through the village there
was not doorway that had not some one
standing on the threshold to bid him god
speed.
Ills the yoU"g squire OFF to the war,
they cried one ~ the other, and the zen
eyes flashed and their voices rose; but the
women's 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 that the
gift OF the women was something dearer
than lite.
AID all the while Bob's heart was sing
ing 10 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
conquerors OF distant lands. He did not
know, but so it Wa and twas goodly
heritage, OF which Bob in his joy ard I'M
patience rocked little.
So the station was reached and the last
good bye spoken: and father grasped Bob's
hand You wiIl-do your duty father
said; II am sure of it
And Bob's face flushed. Thank you.
sir" ne answered, in a husky voice; and
-my :ove-to mother. Clifford Mills, in
the Pail Mall Magazine.