Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-10-18
xxx
; "FAINT
! HEART"
. BY William Macleod Raine
COpBri0ht, 1901, bD ". VI. Rdine
Observation-Disclosures.

She noticed that the Cuban sun and
fever had taken it out Of him good
bit. He walked as erect as ever, but
his uniform coat hung loose about him
like a sack and his step lacked the
broyant spring that used to distinguish
his approach. He took her pink little
palm in his tanned yellow hand with
"A great sigh of relief.
It's good to get back to Gods coun-
try again." he told her after the first
greetings were past.
Il suppose you did miss good many
things down there. 1t must have been
awful, if the newspaper accounts are
trua"
He shrugged his thin shoulders.
1T wasn't exactly picnic: but, then,
men don't 90 to war for fun-at least
they are not liable to find it If they
do"
And what did you miss most?"
A fash of his old audacity leaped to
his eye. "A little girl in New York.
There were other things | wanted
iced drinks, something to eat that was
green, place to sleep in where the
water wasn't more than six inches
decp-but it was the girl I wanted to
see most"
She gave him her most suave smile.
Il didn't know you had any sisters"
81 haven't. This was another mans
sister"
"Oh"
There did not seem to be anything
further to say along that line, SO far
as she was concerned. Presently she
asked:
Has the regiment been ordered
home:"
Yes; we're all here-what's left of
u.s. Then he added, Il came home
to tIl this girl love her"
Yes she asked with polite inter-
est. Did you have the regiment Or
dercd home just for that? Isn't it
taking good deal of trOuble?'
Not too much. That's what I'm here
for-to take trouble if can only gain
my end
She murmured something about hop
ing she would be able to congratulate
him soon.
His big eyes covered her steadily.
"Do You really hope so?'
"Of course. But do tell me about the
war. I'm just dying to know all about
how it feels to be in battle"
There's nothing much 10 tell" he
answered, somehow feeling bafiied
without quite knowing why IT'S
awfully hot and dusty, and once in a
while some poor fellow gets Knocked
over. There isn't anything much to
see. One gets throat like a limekiln;
no trouble at all to raise thirst.
That's about all. But there's something
else I'd rather talk about"
"Oh. yes-the charges against the
government about the feeding and care
of the soldiers" she acquiesced hastily.
Hang the charges! I'm not worry
ing about them at all. It's this girl
want to talk abOut?'
"Oh. that girl agnin!"
Yes; I'm interested in her"
"Is she nice?"
~ think sO.''
"And good lookingT'
me-"
DOUBTLESS she would be gratified to
know it,"
I'm not so sure about that" he an
swcred. looking at her swiftly. 'In
point of fact, she knows it already, only
she pretends not to. ! can't seem to
find out where l stand with her. When
l get ready to tell her. she laughs at
me with the gravest face imaginable.
One cant grow sentimental when
girl is making game Of one you know"
~ | suppose not" she assented de-
murcly.
lie took grip on himself and decid-
ed that the time had come to storm
this fortress. to which the run up San
Juan hill appeared a mere bagatelle.
There was once young fellow at
the Point" he began nervOusly. Nat
urally he thought himself in love. but
the curious thing is that he was in
love. Fact Is he didn't know any more
about girls than you do about the
native jargon of the HindoO. He
never had been with them. But once
well, the sister of classmate came
visiting at the Point and after that
she WAS the only woman in the world
that counted"
She settled herself more comfortably
in the chair and smiled daZzlinSly at
him. Never maiden more uncon-
scious of his ulterior meaning
How charmingly romantic! Do go
on. | hope there will be immense diff
culties in the way-another lover. OBJ
durate parent, heartrending separation,
mutual vows Of undying fealty."
NO; there wasn't any obdurate par
ent. So far as l could find out her ia
ther hadn't any objections to my-to
this young fellow-marrying his daugh-
ter. There We're separations enough.
He had to play hide and seek with
the Apaches in Arizona for a year or
two. but l never discovered that her
heart was rent"
"Perhaps it was loaned or even given
away" she bubbled.
He paid no attention to this sally,
though he appreciated 1t.
There was another lover" he con-
tinued. eyes full on hers. 'He was
man of a good deal of force. had made
his own way in the world and was on
the road to wealth. He could give her
Rll the things that this lieutenant
,,;,o hnr tlo I,,x ha haA