Evening star., 1901-03-02

to speak as though he would give her hope
and reinsurance, but she saw how little
hope there was behind the conventional
mask. There are men who can ride into
battle laughing in the face of death, yet
cannot SO much as summon smile when
the king of terrOrS sits by the bedside or
another for whom women watch and pray.
He knew that there need be no fear OF
earthly tribunal for the fast-failng son and
brother. Perhaps 1t was better SO.
Three days more-only three-were given
to him in which to minister to Theodore, to
strive to comfort and strengthen the sor
rowing mother, to be of aid to the girl for
whom all the old love seemed to be
vived, redoubled. OF that it was no time
to speak. One afternoon there came a dis
patch. The colonel commanding the -th
Kentucky Cavalry desired to know how
soon the lieutenant colonel could report for
duty. There was urgent need Of his serv
Ices. Showing it to Enyart. Norman briefly
said, Il start tonight" and Bob could only
press his hand and say, you're right"
But it was another matter to break It to
the Lanes. He dreaded the effect on Theo-
dore, SO rapidly was he failing. 1t was
Kate Ray again who came to Normans
aid. She had heard and lost no time. You
are going without their knowing 1t, is not
that your plan, Norman?' she asked, then
quickly added, But do you not wish to
speak with Daisy?'
"Of what could / speak to her-at such
a timer" he wistfully asked. The man in
him shrank from thought of wooing when
brother. The woman in Kate Ray saw
that then. perhaps more than at any other
time, there would be sweetness, strength
and support in the assurance that Daisy
was loved and forgiven. Again was 1t
Kate Ray who took matters into her own
hands. Norman might slip away with only
few words to the family generally, but
to Daisy. that was another matter.
And SO. just after nightfall. as with sor-
rowing face and moistened eyes. he came
to tell her he had just bidden Theodore
farewell. and that Theodore had smiled
and borne 1t bravely, Kate led him along
the gallery of the big, old-fashioned south
ern house, past Mrs. Enyarts door to the
railing at the corner. wait here one mo-
ment, will your said she, and then disap-
peared.
1t was a still December evening. The
stars were sparkling in cloudless sky.
Out to the southwest, as he faced the val
ley. Old Lookout loomed like a big black
bison against the lower heavens Camp
fires flickered and twinkled everywhere at
the front. and along the dim, shadowy
ranges to the right and left. But distance
softened all earthly sound, and silence as
of some New England wintry landscape
fell like mantle upon the freezing earth.
On the floor below he could hear Bob En-
yart humping about his narrow room, and
knew just how eager and restless that
young soldier must be, but of other sounds
close at hand there were few. The gall
lery on which he stood encircled the house
on two sides, at least, and Theodore's room
was at the northward end of the east front,
well at his back. Kate had entered Mrs
Enyart's room, and every little moment
Norman expected her return. She had
asked him to take small packet with him,
but when she reappeared her hands were
empty. her face was bank.
1T isnt-at least / can't find something
want Would you mind waiting while
run down stairs?" she asked. Il shan't be
long. And wondering that their cool, level
headed Kate should appear perturbed,
Norman waited. He had left Daisy with
her mother, had spoken briefly, gently with
them both. striving still to appear hopeful
Of seeing them all again when-when Theo-
dore was able to move. He would write.
He would never forget them. Mrs. Lane
only wept Daisy's little hand lay long in
his. but their eyes hardly met as he bowed
in farewell. He had dreaded that parting,
yet how he longed to live 1t over, at least
with her, And then, as Kate still failed
to find the something she wanted on the
lower floor (perhaps Bob Enyart was help
ing her now, smiled Norman to himselD he
turned. began slowly pacing along the
southern gallery, and became gradually
aware of a slender, shadowy, gfrlish form
leaning against the pillar at the further
end apparently gazing out at the dark
and muddy street. Anothel instant and he
knew 1t was Daisy-Daisy enveloped In
shawl that muffled her head and shoulders,
else must she have heard his step before
she did. which was not until he strobe
within six feet OF her. Then, startled. she
turned and saw him. turned again, strove
to nee. but in that instant. even in that
dim light, he had seen the sweet wan.
piteous face was bathed In tears. Good
God! What were doubts, seruples, reSO-
lutions now! One spring brought him to her
side One 1ow-toned. intense. imploring
cry Daisy" One quick, impulsive. ir-
resistible effort and, despite counter effort,
his arms had casped. drawn and held her
to his breast, and then, listening despite