The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-29

Holmes was on the threshold, passing
out, but turned to listen.
Faval! Yes, it's shame! No wonder
ne ran away, with the adjutant and the
band sergeant down on him all the time,
and he knows more
What news?" asked Mrs. Malone i'm
patiently, and Holmes stood waiting.
Why, the order was read out at re-
treat-dishonorable discharge, FORGETTING
all pay and allowance and so on and
three years in Leavenworth.
Ihree years in Leavenworth.' cried
Mrs. Malone. Three years-well we'll
Did We hear that, Sergt. Holmes? There's
many thing will be forgotten in three
years, Holmes"
But Holmes was already striding away
through the gathering dusk
Halmes turned his back on the post
and strobe out across the bluffs toward
the river For long, long time now he
had been used to take thees solitary
evening walks, rain or shine, to tire out
the passion in his breast. Scared, alone
in the world since he remembered any
thing, he had never loved living thing
until now, and, having loved with all the
might of a rushing. long suppressed flood,
rock He had tonight but one clear
thought in his throbbing head Noel Fayai
was out of the way-out of the way-out
of the way. The words sung in his ears.
1t gave him chance For the slim lad
Faval he had nothing but contemptuous
pity. He was out of the way, His be-
witching music, his big brown eyes his
slender, graceful form would be heard
nd hot 70 no
forgotten. and he (Holmes) would have
another chance. So unused the sergeant,
and the devil of bitterness gradually gave
place to the angel of hope, and at last
by the bank of the river he came upon
the girl. She was lying in the grass, her
face buried in her arms, her black hair
loose and her whole form shaken with
great sobs. Holmes dropped on one knee
beside heride her and dared, in his agi-
tation, to lay his hand on her head.
Katy" he said Katy. dear!
She sprang up; her great black eyes
cleaned angrily on him; she elenched her
hands.
What do you want here?" she sobbed.
Can't you leave me alone? l hate YOU 1t
is you who did this"
He hung his head passively and Guiv-
cred.
What have ] done tc make you hate
me, Katy" he slowly whispered You
didn't use to before-Faval came"
And you arrested HIM"
why did not the fool go away at once?
What could do? l was detailed, at was
my duty
And now they have sentenced him
to three years-him lie will die in the
prison with those wretches; he will have
no music, nothing. It is horrible. You
have killed him, killed that boy"
do you love him so InuCh?"
The girl flushed in tha starlight
.dTWhat is that to you? 1 pity him
A flash of renewed hope sprang from
his heart to his eyes. Pity need not be
love. For a moment his sight grew dim,
and the next he was at her feet, clutch-
ing her dress.
Katy" he cried. "It is done it was
his own fault. Forget lin. He cannot
have learned to love you as have loved
you for years. Listen, listen! Don't 20
away
+ The girl was in vain struggling to re-
lease her dress, frightened now.
II am. all the men say l am, perhaps"
he cried ''surly and all that; butlistCn
you are the cause. For love Of you,
and thinking of you | keep alone. From
the horror of losing you ! am sometimes
half mad. Listen to me, now, aId tell
me. Will ever any man love you as
love? VIII any one do for you what
would do?"
Leave me- leave me-" she cried, but
he chung to her.
Il cannot charm you and hewitch you
with pretty face and music like Faval,
he went on. unheeding her. Put am
man, and true man! l claim that. Try
me- me what to do to prove bow much
love you! Whatever it is shall do it,"
The girls thoughts all the evening mad
dwelt on one thing alone-her hewildereI
anxious, wild thoughts. They were YET in
her mind and now they formed them
selves, as at a word of command, into
resolve. She whispered to the man at
her feet:
do you love me so much?'
Il cannot tell how much"
And you would do all you say-for me,
for love of me-"
Anything he cried. rising in pas
sion of hope. and Selling her hands.
Save him." she cried.
III
where's Katy?" Hermann demanded,
as he unceremonously ran into Mather
Malone's house.
Don't be askin' me- cried Mrs. Ma
lone ENORMOUSLY. What are you wantin'
wild Katie at this time of night? It'll be
taps in minute
Cause | was down at the guardhouse
to see Faval tonight. and he's worryin'
awful. He's to be taken to Leavenworth
in day or two. So | thought I'd just
ask Katy-he was stuck on Katy just like
me-to go and cheer him up bit. I'm
not jealous,
"Ye wee devil. howed mother Malone,
welcoming a chance to discharge her
wrath upon somebody; AN it's mischief
maxim ye're after is it? Git out NV this!
Get out now. afore | do yez harm!"
What's eating you? l want some APP
ples.'
The angry woman charged upon him,
Herman grabbed an apple, upset the bar
rel and fled, screeching.
did yez ever hear the like" Mrs. Ma
lone muttered Katy to go and see Fa-
val. Was liver the like"