The evening Republican., 1902-06-23
ONLY A LAPSE
I, OF COURAGE,

aeAvy WIN . tnflil OF 0pprehen
sion. the night air care ia through
the little barred window to Alics
For rbes. A newspaper correspond d
ent following the fortunes Of war
NAV not induldge 10 the feminln.
weaknsss OF nerves yet she paced
the room 10 the old stoae building
where, through the kindness oi
young DR.. Wallace she had been
permitted 10 make her quarters.
1t was now long past midnight
Tuey had said that at day brc a K
IL the trenches Of the enemv had
not been vacated the troops would
move forward. Foremost 10 hat
charge would be tCaptain Aiexand-
er fosbes and to Alice there was
no one iu the line 50 brave aa her
SOLDIER brother. Together they
had studied army tactics aud wheu
his regiment had been ordered 10
the Philippines she had not rested
until she had made arrangements ts
to follow him.
How noble he was, how heroic.
how different FROM But there!
1t was absurd even to thirk of DR..
Wallace in the same hour with Alex
ander. Still, a realization that her
refusal of him had sorely hurt the
quiet doctor, gave her an uneasy
sense of not being quite on good
terms with herself.
Out there in the darkness, the
troops were ready, and Alice leaning
on the window ledge, fancied that
through the stiffness she could hear
the pulse beats of the men waiting.
She thought of Alexander, eager,
wakeful.
Had she dozed9 A low spoken
command reached her ear, and the
surely it was Cough Wal
lace.
Stop! Who are you, and what
do you wanty
Il am-never mind who am! Let
me pass"
The first tone of the response
brought Alice to her feet.
"Oh, it's you, Forbes! Then per-
haps it's my place to explain" The
doctors voice, very low, took an
other tone, and Alice heard her
brother spring lightly from his
horse.
! managed to get permission to
quarter Alice iu this building. You
know how anxious he is to see every
detail of your work tomorrow, and
from here she can watch in perfect
safety. However, the (doctor's
voice broke somewhat Dervonsly-"
dIdn t like leaving her here on a
night SO tulI OF unpleasant poss,bii.
ties. and | decided to remain near
her in case of an alarm
Alice was hut family conscious OF
her feeling of gratitude toward the
doctor. What had brought hor
brother here?
"lL's more than kind of you Wal
ace. | was little nervous about
ler''- son, then you knew that
'hc was here!'
"Yes- no"-Alice observed that |
lie was fumbllng strangely with his
eply.
There vii! be some busy hours
or all OF us tomorrow" remarked
Dr. Wallace.
"Of course your men are al! wild
% begin. Alice IS very proud that
'ou have the position Of honor. B.
company leads, l understand.
''les; B company leads. - Again
he girl observed that curious weak.
Tess Of tone.
"Forbes the doctor was speak
ng hurriedly--''I Judge from your
manner that you are not quite at
ase about the little girl here. Let
ne relieve .vou of any anxiety on her
cconnt. II things go badly tomor-
ow, trust me tosland by her as friend
nd brother. ! ought no tell YOU
hat had hoped TO be something
lore to her but she thinks different.
= about the matter | don t measure
lucll in her eyes beside you.
The words were spoken lightly, but
Illce, listening, felt the keenness OF
heir edge.
''Only little while now between
OH and glory. Forbes There isn't
luch OF This black night left. "
"No: there isn't. That's Just it,"
orbes jelked the words out with
ngular emphasis. wallace, l be-
eve that, after all. Shan't be able
lead my men in that charge"
"Forbes!' The Doctors exclama.
on drowned Alice S grasp Of horrif
| amaZement
"'The truth is that-that | have