The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-01-23

pated. Indeed, the running Tor WnaC she
called the millionairess stakes became so
severely competitive that she found her
self comparatively neglected, and the sit
uation being move! and intolerable to her,
she felt constrained to call Miss DalZiel
to account and ask her which of the ar
dent hearts, glowing with love and admit
ration, laid so humbly at her feet, she in
tended to condescend to pick up.
Are you serious, Gertrude:" inquired
Quite returned Mrs. Brown Il
shall begin to think that you are. hard
hearted
Instead of returning the SOOTHING an
swer Mrs. Brown expected, Marjorie
burst into tears.
Gertrude was all sympathy in a mo-
ment. My dear girl. what have | said?
Do not, for mercy's sake. cry so violent
ly, | was only in jest"
But it must be true." sObbed Mario
RE. He said the same thing, and he
was not in jest"
He? Who?"
"Cecil Mallet."
'.What, is there yet another?'
ooh, Gertrude, do not say another"
He is the only one
'Then why is he not here?'
Because he is in South Africa"
''Well. there is nothing to cry about.
The fighting is nearly over"
Il know; but our engagement is quite
over"
''Whose fault-yoursT"
"Indeed, no! His entirely"
"What did he do?''
81 saw his arm around Laura Strange
ways waist. They were in the conserva-
And is that all?''
"All? Is it not enoughT'
''My dear Marjorie, do you really ex
pect to marry man who has never
had his arm around another woman's
waist?'
II do My husband must not only be
sans peur but absolutely sans reproche."
7''Then, my dearest child, you must
make up your mind to die an old maid"
Are all men triders?
''No. Some of them are milksops. You
wouldn't, | am sure, consent to marry
a milksop."
But it does not signify now; have
dismissed him forever"
HIN! That is a long time. Write
and say that you have reconsidered the
matter"
Impossible! l vowed that his arm
should never more encircle my waist
''You can add a postscript to the effect
that you only meant till he came home
again"
''Shall I write, Gertie? Really?"
81 should if l were you"
And so she did.
1t CHANGED that Cecil Mallet received
the letter just as he was ordered out on
a reconnaissance. He thrust it into his
pocket and did not find leisure to read it
till he was lying behind an anthill wait
ing for the hidden enemy to make some
sign. In his joy at the contents he
laughed aloud and imprudently raised his
head an inch or SO above the safety level,
thereby disclosing his whereabouts. Five
shots whistled through the air, and the
L. ell I.
had found it's mark and he rolled over
in helpless agony, biting the dust that
was crimsoned with his blood.
THE FUTURE.
A big liner was expected at Southamp-
ton with a consignment of heroes from
the front. Among the privileged spec
tators awaiting her arrival at the docks
were Mrs. De Courcy Brown and Mar
jorie Dalziel.
Cheer up, Marjorie. What is the use
of anticipating the worst?''
Gertrude, [ cannot bear the suspense.
Only think, he may be dying! He may
even be dead at this very moment!'
He was reported conyalescent at Cape
Town."
'That is nearly, three weeks ago. I
must go back to the hotel, Gertie; bring
him to me there. After my treatment
could not bear to meet him in public
Some hours elapsed before Mrs Brown
put in an appearance. Her natural fri
volity had all vanished.
Marjorie darted forward, and, Selling
Gertrude's hands. questioned her by a
look. Mrs. Brown took the girl up in
her arms
mo, Marjorie, he is not dead" she
said softly. but he has been severely,
terribly wounded. Can you bear a great
shock"'
81 can bear anything so long as he is
safe" she cried. eff he is i'll, l will
nurse him back to health; if he has suf
fered. | will help him to forget his suffer-
ings. 1 thank God that Cecil has come
back to me! 1T is more than [ deserved,
and will prove by a lifelong devotion
that am not ungrateful."
Mrs Brown raised her voice, "COme in
Cecil. | have pleaded your cause well,
and all is forgiven"
Marjorie never knew exactly how Ger
trude vanished. She had no eyes, no
thought but for the soldier who stood be-
fore Notwithstanding, abashed, with bend
ed head. Could he be Cecil Mallet-this
hollow-eyed, haggard man who looked
years older than the lover she had dis
missed SO coldly five short months ago?
Her eyes travelled slowly from his bag
gard face to the sleeve pinned up on his
breast. Then wealth of loving tender
ness welled up from her overlooking
heart, and with great cry of sorrow, Of
love, of admiration. she flew toward him,
and was clasped to his heart.-Modern
Nv