The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-04-11
CHAPTER IV-Continued.

his feet in an instant and full of ex-
element.
"Will you report there?"
Twill I? It is the dream of my life,
-but-but-y6u were say
ing"
"Nothing"
II don't understand you, Frank"
"No member of the family, Dick, you
have entered, ever drew sword against
Virginia. You must choose between
the woman and"
'My country? Is that it? How
would you choose, Frank?" Brodnar
was silent, looking away. take this
message to her for me, my friend; it is
the last request, perhaps, shall ever
make to you-''
"Dick-"
"Say to her that Richard Somers
passes out of her life to serve his coun-
try. His duty done, please God, and
| she needs his arm, he will follow her
to the end of the earth. Say that for
me: and then, farewell"
The morning sun striking through the
eastern window of hotel room shone
full upon the face of a woman who lay
sleeping there. She was dressed as for
the street, but her hair was loose and
fell about her shoulders in cleaning,
golden masses. Even in the trying
| light upon it her face was beautiful.
Perfectly oval, it possessed a combi-
nation of dark standings rarely found"
in blonde types, and the even brows
were as delicate as though penciled
| by an artist. Upon her cheeks lay long,
dark lashes. Sleeping, she seemed
scarcely more than girl in age, the
few lines upon her face fading out of
prominence; and yet there was wom-
anliness in her trim, settled figure that
told of years not otherwise to be sus-
pected.
The bell of tower clock near at
hand rang out loudly the hour. The
sleeper stirred uneasily, opened her
| eyes, and instantly, as full conscious
| ness returned, bounded from the bed
to the floor. In the quick look she
gave to her surroundings terror was
apparent. A moment later she had
pulled the bell-ccrd and was waiting,
her watch in hand, by the door, A ne
gro servant knocked and was admitted.
She did not notice his old-fashioned
and courteous salute
"Why-w I not called for the six
o'clock train?" she began in great agi-
| tation.
eve call tree times, ma'am-t'ree
times; an you say all right ev'y time,
ma 'am.'
Il answered?"
Eyes, ma'am. An we think, ma'am.
mebby you done change yo' min'."
Something like despair came to her
face.
1.-THE time now?"
mine o'clock, ma am. Clock d es struck,
ma'am. Gem'man downstairs SEN dis
cyard, ma'am, an say" The gem
tleman in question passed the speaker,
stepping across the threshold.
"You may co." he said, CURLY, and
waited until the old servant had re-
tired and closed the door. Then he
turned coolly towards the woman.
And now, madam, what does this
mean?"
"Raymond!"
| 'Why have you left London?" The
woman did not answer. She had cried
the name Historically and started for.
ward; then, suddenly, drawing her
hair from her face, she shrank away
from him, her gray eyes distended in
terror or the expectation of violence.
In the presence of this pantomime, the
mans face lost it's cynicism and stern
ness. He was unmistakab bly, astonished.
''Well,' he said, at length, "what is it ?"
fou here!" the exclamation was
but whisper. II thought
why should not be here? Didn't
you write, requesting me to come?
was not in the city yesterday, nor
last night, and have but just received
your foolish letter. Are you mad, in
deed-that you come to this city
that you follow me up in public!-
Name of Heaven, woman, what is the
matter with you?"
''Not in the city last night! Not in
the city! Then-then-" She caught a
chair. ooh, am ill-ill!" She seemed
about to fall, but her companion made
no movement to assist her. sThere is
some-mistake!" she whispered. "Some
awful mistake!"
What are you talking about?" He
stood looking curiously upon her. She
turned suddenly, ran to him, and,
falling upon her knees, clasped her
arms about him, giving way at the
same time to paroxysm of hysteria
that swayed them both with it's vio-
lence. He stopped impatiently, broke
her clasp with a violent effort, and
half pushed, half lifted her into the
chair. Burying her face in her hands,
she gave way to violent weeping while
he stood BY.
The man was of medium height and
fine figure, his faultless dress and his
every motion revealing the fashiona-
BILE world. His face might have been
handsome at one time, but something
had fled from it, and something had
come to it since then That which
had come men usually call the marks