Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-04-05


over disagreeable duty" she objected.
And I am sure my father won't want
me to run away from him just yet-not
till this disturbance on the frontier
is over, and he is ready to take me
home"
For to the heart of Briton. In
whatever foreign cline, the sacred
name Of Home" belongs to the be-
loved British Isles alone.
For answer Don drew her once more
within his arms.
II can't wait for that Lille" And
if his mastery arose more from the
dogmatic will of the man than the i'm
petuosity of the lover, there was no
doubt about his earnestness. IF you
ever go back home, it must be as my
wife; but, Lille, | won't promise you
| would take you. | could not bear
it, for am homeless wanderer now"
The culver in his voice moved her
profoundly.
1--WE will make a fresh home, Don,
you and I. wherever you like in the
whole world" she said
nature. was touched by her devotion.
You are very generous, my darling,
and ! am going to take you at your
word by asking your father to give
you to me before the summer. l hope
to see him in a very short time, for |
have Just had orders to take a relief
draft of our Derbys out to join his
camp tomorrow"
She turned pale as her clinging
gown.
Tomorrow? Oh, Don, why didn't
you tell me before you were going to
leave me Tomorrow"
Because ill news is told all too
soon." he answered gently. But
cheer up. child. l don't expect to be
gone more than three or four weeks
at the most
But she chung to him, with the tears
swimming in her beautiful blue eyes
ooh, Don, my dearest, / shall be
dreading all sorts of things happening
to you on the way! | used to feel so
frightened when my father went out
first: but now l know he is safely in
camp 1t is different. Oh, DOM" she
broke off, "if you never come back to
me it would break my heart!"
my darling" he treasured her. "the
tribes have surrendered, and the war
is practically over. There's really
nothing to be nervous about"
You must think of me killing time
counting the hours which will bring
me back to the dear little woman who
is going to open paradise for the
poor outcast wanderer"
She put up her little hand to his
lips.
Don't call yourself that, Don. As we
hope to be forgiven, forgive and for
get the wrong your mother did you
when she brought you up as Gade's
heir. Remember it was all for love
of you she sinned."
What then, sweet pleader, would
you have it that love condones a sin?"
he queried, capturing the hand and
covering it with kisses.
God Forbid" she answered earnest
ly; but surely, because of that love,
forgiveness should be easier?"
All! how both were to remember that
conversation in bitter day to come!
All too soon came the final moment
for last caresses and parting words,
for presently the redturbaned native
announced that Gordon sahib's horse
was at the gate as ordered, and his
cloak also, as dew was falling"
Lille picked up silk coverlet from
the divan, and throwing it over her
shoulders, accompanied her lover to
the veranda.
The moon had risen, and in its clear
light her lovely face, with its aureoe
of golden hair. shone radiant with its
love, but quivering with the pain which
this moment of farewell brought.
The red fireflies were flashing, the
perfume of rose and pink oleander
waited from the garden on the hot air.
On the far-stretching terrace of the
bungalow a great adjutant bird, with
its head nesting under its wing, was
silhouetted against the silvery expanse
of sky.
From the prickly-pear hedge of the
compound rose anon the melancholy
HOWL VI d JdShdl.
All unconsciously, scene and hour
were to be fixed irrevocably upon Don
Gordon's memory down to the veriest
trif1e.
He took his cloak from the natives
hand, and throwing it on, stood tritiing
with it's clasp to prolong the exquisite
fascination of the spell which had sud
faIl him hold hi IN,
its grasp.
Was it the mystic secret Of love
which was coming to him there on the
silvery wings of the tropic night.
He stopped at last and gathered the
trembling girl in a lingering embrace.
What message shall l take to the
father, little one?"
THAT love YOU" she answered sim
ply, land that only live for you both
to come back to me-
He sealed the confession with pas
sionate kiss, and tore himself away, to
spring lightly to the saddle.
For an instant he paused on his
| prancing steed with barred head, his
brown eyes bent upon her, and a smile
on his moustached lips.
IT'LL we meet again" He spoke
softly then, as, kissing his hand to her,
he resumed his helmet and galloped
away into the moonlit night.
"'Till we meet again!"
| She lifted her tear-dimmed eyes to
the star-spangled heavens in mute
supplication that the Father of all
would watch between him and her till
| that day came.
All! she little knew what the inter-
val held in store.