New-York tribune., 1903-06-11
CHAPTER Y.
THE SHADOW OF ARCHIBALD.

THE SHADOW OF ARCHIBALD.
II is not only children who. having once tasted
bliss suppose fondly that one has only to pre-
mare a time and place for It again and 1t can
be renewed But he must be queer child VINO
starts with expecting any less certainly no
doubts assailed me when the anniversary came
round and made my way to Mr. fuckers bun
shon: nor did Miss Plnlimmons greeting lack
anything of tenderness. She began at once 10
talk away merriy. but children are demons 10
detect something amiss, and although l did not
understand it. there was note in her gayety
which felt TO be strange and in vague way
uncomfortable After a while she broke OIL IN
the middle of a sentence and sat stirring her
tea as with mind withdrawn; recovered her
self and catching at her last words continued
b1+ on a different subject; then reading some
zzia,7,ant in NV eyes broke off again and
tried to cover her confusion by eXclaIming My
dear Harry you have grown prodislously.
Were you thinking of that. ASKED lor
had heard it twice already.
She answered one question with another "Of
what were you thinking"
hesftared for the truth would not have been
rolite-that 1 was thinking how much older she
had grown. But she had, in appearance.
wear is a long time to child but 1t dld not
o,,,+ to mo for a curious wanness in her
color Her hair had grown much grayer, too,
and there we're dark rings under her eyes You
seem different somehow. Miss Plinlimmon
DO /? The hospital has been wearing me
ont of late I have thought sometimes OF re
.ie,,i,e and irving my fortune elsewhere: but
the thought of the children restra1ns me.
make many mistakes with them-perhaps more
as the years go on: they love me, however for
they know that L mean well, and IL "ould
haunt me if they fell into bad hands NO" l
am not sure that Mr.. Scougal would choose
the best successor. Before he married l could
have trusted his judgment" She fell amusing
again. Archibald Is here in Plymouth she
added inconseauently. My nephew. you know
nodded and asked is he quartered here?"
.yVbv how did you know he was in the
army"
You told me Major Arthur was saving up
to buy him commission
How well YOU remember She sighed. The
debts were too heavy. Archibald is in the army
but he has enlisted private in the IOoth'
the North Wits Regiment. His father advised
1t: he says that In these days commissions are
to be won by young men content to begin In
the ranks. especially if they have birth and
good manners to recommend them
"r sbo,ld like to begin in that way" said l
enthusiastically.
Il suspect the path to commission Is harder
than you dream" she answered, tnoush IN
ArchibaId's case he has his fathers record TO
helm him and Il beIieVeg good friend in Colonel
F-estonhaugh who commands the North Willis.
He and Arthur are old comrades in arms But
garrison life does not suit the poor boy, or so
he complains He is a little sore with his
father for subiecting him to it, and cannot take
his stern view about paying the debts That
is natural enough, perhaps" She heaved an
other sigh. His Tegiment-or rather the sec
ond battalion. TO which he belongs-was ordered
down to Plymouth last January. and since then
has been occupied with drill and petty irritating
duties of which he complains sorely-though 1
believe there is prospect of their being ordered
out TO Portugal before long
You see him often?" l asked, still trihe
jealous.
She seemed to pause moment before answer
ing Yes oh, yes. to be sure, see him ire
quentIy That is only natural. is 1t not?
We left the shop and strolled toward the Hoe.
felt that something wrong. something in
terferfng TO spoil our day; and felt unreason-
ably sure OF II on finding our old seat occupied
by three soldiers-two Of them supporting
drunken comrade We made disconsolately for
an empty bench some fifty yards away
They belong to Archibald's regiment" said
Miss Plnlrnmon as we settled ourselves TO talk.
had noted that she scanned them narrowly.
why. here In Archibald!' she exclaimed .