Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-09-16
lot with my fellow-countrymen.' Z

And when are you going to start r
demanded Gertrude.
"As soon as possible. The Powers
lare threatening to extend their block
fade to the mainland. II they should
block the ports Of Piraeus and Patras.
should not be allowed to land"
/ Vaughan could not resist another
sardonic remark.
That would be unfortunate. Still,
| II you were Obliged to return, you
would have the consolation of knowing
that you had offered TO sacrifice your
self for your country.
| The Creek thought 1t best to ignore
the sarcasm; he preferred to address
| himself to the sympathetic girl who
had so warmly praised him.
/. Il shall leave London by the first
train to Brindisi 1t is either to-mor-
row morning or the day after. | am not
sure which; in any case, cannot
promise myself the happiness of seeing
| you again before CO.
AS he said these words, Kalarakis
gave slight turn OF his head towards
| the third person in the room, as If he
would have conveyed hint to Cert
rude that he should like to say fare
we'll to her alone.
Vaughan, who saw the manoeuvre,
determined not to allow it to be car
ried out. Quietly dropping into a
chair, as if to announce his determina-
ton to stay where he was in the ex-
/ ercise of his rights as the bethrothed
lover of Gertrude, he remarked;
We'll, Monsieur Kalarakis, at all
events, we shall have an added interest
in reading the accounts OF the war in
the papers, when we know that you are
at the front, playing part in the
campaign"
The levity of his tone Jared some
what on Gertrude.
pray Heaven, we may not read
your name In the list of wounded
she exclaimed, fervently.
Kalarakis gave melancholy smile,
which showed his fine eyes to advan-
tage.
! Il must take my chance of that" he
answered, with heroic resignation.
Fighting the Turks is not like fight
ing the soldiers Of civilized nation
they make no prisoners"
He pronounced the last words with
an intonation that sent thrill through
Gertrude.
Let us hope then that you will make
the Turks prisoners, observed
Vaughan, with the same heartless in
dierence he had already shown. How
ever. Gertrude" he added, turning to
her. eff we do not read Monsieur Kali
arakiss name in the list of the wound
ed, VIC may find it in more suspicious
circumstances. His exploits may fur
nish food for the special cores
pondents. What is the equivalent for
the Victoria Cross in your country"
The Greek bit his lip. Seeing that
there was no chance of the English
mans surrendering his advantage, he
gave way, and departed, accompanied
to the door by Gertrude, who renewed
her protestations OF interest and adj
miration
No sooner had the door closed than
she turned, her eyes full of angry re-
proach, to her lover.
You sneercd at Monsieur Kalara-
kis," she said, but he, at all events, is
a man-he is anxious to do something
great in the world
Vaughan shrugged his shoulders
"If my country has been dragged into
war. and stood in need Of my services,
do YOU suppose that l should hest
tate?" he retorted. The only differ
ence between us is that | should not
20 to work in quite so theatrical a
way
Gertrude, still provoked, regarded
him with a slightly scornful air.
II should not have thought you had
It in you to become a soldier" she
remarked with a certain incredulity.
Vaughan looked at her, dark
shadow deepening on his brow.
Gertrude" he said, sternly, 1T is
time to put an end to this. l have
asked you to marry me-you tell me
that you prefer your career at the
hospital. | pointed out TO you that
this sudden enthusiasm dates from
your acquaintance with this Greek
who has just gone out. In the face OF
that. you have extolled him to my face
as a hero and practically tell me that
am not worthy to be compared to
man like that. / should be fool IL
pretended not to understand you. 1t
is evident that you made a mistake
when you told me that you loved me.
1 have only one thing to do, and that
is to release you from your pledge.
Gertrude returned his look with an
air as determined as his own.
'If that is your opinion" she an
swered at shows me that you do not