New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
tumor with marvellous precision. and he ex-
| tracted it with the deftness OF a magician


Serious though the operation was. Gilbert.
somewhat to his surprise. suffered no incon-
Nenlence from ii, nor was the process of recov-
cry either long tedious.
He had but one thought in his mind, and that
was to get back to South Africa before the
fighting over, and this idea took such firm
possession OF him that the sense of time left
him. and when Dale pronounced him out of
danger it seemed to him that the operation had
taken place no longer ago than the day before
He had no difficulty in persuading Dale to get
him certified as fit for duty. or in obtaining per-
mission from the War Office to start at once for
the Cape in order to rejoin his regiment at the
front
He found himself in good company board
the Tantallon Castle for troops were still being
sent out TO Africa. and among the officers on
board were several old friends. all of them in
high spirits at the prospect of active service
after long spell of idleness at home.
As it turned out il was very active service in
deed. and Gilbert had many opportunities of dis
tingEishing himself
With the captulation of Pretoria. however
the campaign came To end. and his regiment
was of the first TO come home again.
1t Was with a light heart Gilbert told him
self. that he was setting out on the voyage
home. for he was down for the Victoria Cross
We'll for promotion. and Margaret had
written out to say that she was proud Of him
that she was willing to let their marriage take
place Immediately after his return.
But Was he. after all, as happy he should
be?
1t was with many searchings of the heart
that Gilbert asked himself that question the
way home
Within few days of his arrival the dream of
all his later life would become reality; Yet he
told himself that this he was conscious
that there was no enthusiasm. responsive
throb in his heart. and before the voyage was
over he realized with a of dumb misery
that the thought Of Margaret longer had
the power 10 stir him as of Old could no longer
rouse within him the fire which always hitherto
the very breathing Of her name had kindied.
What it. what the matter with him?
he asked himself hundred times a day
lie had seen other woman since he and his
promised wife had parted less than three
months before. had dreamt of no other woman
in that tender relation toward him save Mar
garet; yet her fair face heart and intellect
were Al war within him.
Intellect still loved her. called her 10y every
endearing name. dwelt on the soft music of her
voice recalled each tone and look. and saw
again the lOvelight in her sweet gray eyes
Heart was cold and scepticaI and unmoved By
any of these imaginative raptures
What earth is the matter with me?'' he
asked himself j seem to he able 10 watch this
struggle between TWO Of my inner selves Just
one does in dreams sometimes. when the Ego
seems to detach itself and become impeTsonal-
/ wonder what old Macpherson put inside my
head when he took that tumOr out, Upon my
word. / believe I'm going mad after ALL
by the time the Livadia reached southampton
he in a fever to see Margaret once more.
and fight the struggle out with her.
Perhaps the sight Of her. the touch Of her
hands. Of her lips. would put him right again.
why he must frankly tell her
After all. the change which ne feared had
taken place in him might be imaginary.
He had gone through good deal during these
last few months. and the excitement II 4 cam
paign pushed forward express speed. in order
to STRIKE a final ana decisive blow. had no doubt
contributed in some measure toward unhinsing
him.
When he alighted at Waterloo he had alnos;
persuaded himself that his doubts and fears
were nothing more substantial than the unwel-
come memories of a bad dream. and when he
way TO the Moors he was within an ace Of being
his old light hearted self again
He had telegraphed the time Of his arrival.
and at the little wayside station he found Mar
garet awaiting him. and with a dull sense of
pain he realized that the change in him
for hn in Nor 80