The Van Buren press., 1900-04-28

n
She had left hers ajar through the
night, in case Bob, waking, had called
her name. But Bob had not called; he
slept like top.
J 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 gallant figure of Bob
himself ON the mantelpiece, photo
graphed in full uniform
Mothers vigil was ended. She rose
softly, slipped on her dressing gown
and slippers, and stole along the corri-
dor to Bob's room.
Bob lay, six feet of British manhood,
yeliow-haired, straight'iimbed, deep
chested sound asleep.
The few dreams that had visited him
had been sweet to the heart of soldier.
Not shadow of fear disturbed his
slumbers. He had been assisting in
killing the enemy by shrapnel, rife and
bayonet, in thousands, and now they
lay around him like corn under the
sickle, and Bob smiled and awoke, and
saw his mother standing looking down
upon him. 1t was no unusual sight to
see her there; yet to-day something
stirred in his breast, and Bob put up his
arms and drew her head down to his
breast.
"My baby-my boyl' mother mur-
INJURED. "0h, my darlingl'
Bob bore II with admirable grace, but
he did not like it-not a little bit; and
as soon as he could he wriggled 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; II would comforthim, 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 long plolt right below
her waist. Then she kissed him again,
and went; and when she was quite sure
he could count on isolation Bob got up
and wandered among the litter of uni
form eases and portmanteaus that lay
about the floor. Then he took up his
Glengarry, and, putting il on, regarded
his reflection in the mirror with COM
placency And his pride must be ex-
cused, for he was n newly fledged sub
altern of20 years, recalled from leave TO
Join his battalion, which sailed on the
morrow for the seat Of war.
Having adjusted the cap ut every con
ceivable angle, he replaced 1t and con-
tinued his toilet. His cheeks were per-
fectly innocent Of beard, and 20 min
utes saw him fully attlred, immaculate
in brand-new suit, and the stiffest and
highest of shiny white collars,
just at this moment knock came at
the door, and his sister, his junior by
three years, entered the room, II was
easy TO see that she had been weeping,
but Bob expected as much and his
heart did not resent IT., He put his arm
round her waist and kissed her,
"Nearly time TO be on he cried,
with almost brutal cheerfulness. and
turned to strap his portmanteou,
whistling n martial ditty.
Nell sat down on the edge Of the bed
md surveyed the array of baggage with
mixed feelings, She was very proud Of
Bob. He was dear hero; but II only
the war were over and he back again,
crowned with gloryl Other girls
brothers had gone, and-well, she
would not let herself think. She wished
she had been kinder 10 Bob in the days
gone by, Now the little, unthought-ot
omissions would be ghosts to haunt her
conscience I'm he was back again, She
would Ike TO have told Bob she was
sorry, but she knew that he would
laugh at her for little goose, and be.
sides II would look as II she felt this
wasindeed good-by; SO she choked back
this lump in her throat and sat with
brave eyes stoicnlly watching Bob, who
stood In the window examining his res
volver.
But, strive az she would, she could
not check the thoughts that the sight
brought TO her mind. Bob with the re.
vclver In his hond--yes, but far away
In the midst Of the din and smoke Of
battle, surrounded by the foe; daunt.