The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-01-23
WHEN THE BOYS CONE HOME.
THE PAST.

THE PAST.
The season was young then. The ball
room was deliciously cool, the band was
playing the most seductive of long Sc
ries of dreamy waltzes, there was no lack
of dancing men, and yet Marjorie Dalziel,
the acknowledged belle of her set, was
sitting alone in palm-screened alcove,
her little feet tucked resOlutely under her
satin skirts and her pretty hands clasped
with the nervous tension that is lndlca-
tive of deeplystirred feelings.
Unfortunately Chat is, if the temporary
and unusual solitude was of her own
seeking) anger only added to her charms
and rendered her still more attractive.
Her great, dark eyes sparkled with
hundred fires. Her fair cheek was tinted
with a delicate rose. All these things
We're mentally noted by young man
who, with the assurance of a privileged
person, threw himself into the vacant
chair at her side.
Not dancing, Marjorie?' he said.
'HOW's that?'
Marjorie launched an unexpected bomb.
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Mallet,' she
returned, in the chilling tones reserved
usually for an unwelcOme intruder.
The newcomer looked taken aback.
Then he recovered himself and laughed
neryously.
ooh, is that the way of it," he in
Ouired. II merely venrured, most hum
bly,. to ask Miss Dalziel why she was not
dancing"
rs one bound TO give reasons?
mot necessarily to give them, perhaps;
but it is usual to have some
'Oh, have plenty. | am tired have
no partner, [ nate dancing, [ hate every
thing and everybody, and l want to be
alone"
''The last is convincing. Shall go?"
eff Won like -
But don't like. I await orders"
Il am not your commanding officer
NO. 1 wish you were Ny only OBJ
lection to going to South Africa would be
swept away
''What objection is that?"
Leaving you"
Miss Dalziel responded by curl of her
lip.
Marjorie, your heart IS hard
''And yours is too elastic.
what do YOU mean?'
ooh, nothing"
''That answer will not do. l insist Oh
knowing your meaning.
''Insist?'
Eyes, insist. In my right as your at
famed husband"
''Oh, that is all over
"Marjorier'
''Mr. Malletr'
You mean what you say?'
81 mean what l say"
There was a white strained look about
his mouth, but he spoke calmly.
You have weighed your words well?'
Il have weighed my words only too
well.'
'.You remember that tomorrow morn
ing [ sail with my company? This may
be our last meeting ON EARTH
Il remember"
A slight catch might have been detect
ed in her voice, but no other sign Of re-
lenting was apparent.
'And knowing that I am going posi-
bly, to my death, you can, at this. per-
haps the most solemn, moment of our
lives, dismiss me with few cold words
and not the slightest explanation of your
conduct?'
Your own conscience will doubtless
supply the explanation
Her voice trembled ominousy, and the
bright eyes were momentarily suffused
with tears.
Marjorie he pleaded, ''this is foolish.
ling, and be friends"
about to draw her to him. She shrunk
quickly away and her eyes blazed.
Your lips shall never touch mine
again. she exclaimed in a low voice,
encircle my waist. 1 have been blind.
foolish, but oh, so happy For l loved
you, and believed that you loved me.
Now my eyes are opened, and | know
you as you really are-false, faithleSs
and deceitful!''
They were standing now face to face,
looking into each others eyes.
will not stoop to ask again for an
explanation of your extraordinary con-
duct" he returned. Enough to say that
| accept my dismissal at your hands
Perhaps it might, under existing circum-
DIV
But it is possible that the memory Of the
pain you have caused may lead YOU to
think less harshly of me when 5000 miles
of sea divide us. Goodby, Miss Dalziel.
If should not come back, you will know
that nothing can alter my love, and that
my last thought on earth will be of you"
He paused on the threshold as though
half expecting a recall. But Marjorie
made no sign, and the next moment she
was alone.
The day was just breaking when de-
tachment of khaki-clad soldiers departed
from Southampton.
THE PRESENT.
Eastgate-on-the-Sea was much fut-
tered at the announcement in the local
journals of the arrival of Mrs. De Courcy
Brown and Miss Dalziel 1t was we'll
known that, besides being fashionable
beauty, Marjorie DalZiel was reported to
possess considerable fortune. That she
should elct to hide herself from the gaze
of admiring society in a red-brick villa
at a remarkably quiet watering place
puzzled the brains of the curious popula-
ton, and gave food for considerable
speculation. But wonder increased ten
fold at the advent of Mrs. De Courcy
Brown, who, in her constant efforts to
avoid dizziness and stagnation, flew from
one European capital to another, filling
up the awkward intervals between the
various seasons by visits to the German
baths and the southern gambling tables.
To a select few before leaving town she
had explained the apparent eccentricity
of her conduct.
II know / shall be horribly bored"
she had observed, resignedly, "and | ex-
pect some of you dear boys to come down