St. Tammany farmer., 1903-03-28

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ocean.
There was the row of low-roofeG
houses, the women in white with
barred throats, the officers in duck
ard khaki.
There was the bay, where the great
admiral had destroyed feet.
Here on the parade ground bat
talon was drilling. The men had
seen service and their faces were
brown and scanned. Only a few
weeks before they had lived under
tropical skies.
But there beyond the hills the girl
saw the same men drilling. In front
showing against the yellow of the
parade ground, was the vision of
young Mr.. Hard, as she had seen hin
that last day before they sailed.
| She had walked home with Billy,
she remembered. He had slipped his
hand into hers at their parting, and
with it a little package of sachet
powder wrapped in one of his little
red-bordered handkerchiefs. She had
llnwrapped the gift as Billy scam
pered down the street. She had won-
dered if sachet powder could fill all
the empty corners in anyone's heart.
All this seemed so far away. Some
dream-life over there. The morning
the ship had sailed she could see
from the deck rail the little group
of officers who had come to bid her
good-by. All but one had hurried
over the gangway as they saw her.
That one had stood and looked ex-
pectant. He seemed to be waiting
for her to summon him. Miss Daily
wished she could forget that part of
the dream.
Billy had discovered piece of pre-
served ginger in the pocket of his
blouse. He asked Miss Daily if she
remembered the last time he had
worn that suit. Yes, it was "out
there" Billy always referred to Ma
Mia as "out there"
And would she like to see what
else he had in his pocket Well.
there was piece of tin foil. smooth
ed out and folded like kindergarten
paper. Could Miss Daily guess where
that came from? Mr.. Hard had given
him that. He took it off of piece
of soap one day when he was shaw
ing. Billy told Miss Daily that &c
used to help Mr.. Hard with his shaw
ing, for Mrs. Hard said SO.
top came from?
That was queer. She had given it
to him herself Could it be tina.
young ladies didn't care for tops?
Billy carefully removed a folded
handkerchief from the capacious
pocket. There was something in it.
He was having beautiful time max
ing discoveries. He had not worn
this suit for many weeks, and its
treasures had been forgotten.
Miss Daily looked at the boy, unfold
ed the little handkerchief with it's COM
ical red border.
There was note addressed to Miss
Mary Daily.
"What does it say on there, Miss
Mary?" the boy asked.
at says my name," she almost
whispered, as she saw the writing.
"Where did you get that, Billy? Please
try to remember
Billy thought for several seconds.
'By gum!'' he said, at last, 'Mr. Hard
gave me that, that last day. Don't you
remember. Miss Mary, after the dress
parade? Don't you remember? After
the band played the 'Star-Spangled
Banner and you said it was patriot
ism that made fellows back creep
like that.
''Mr. Hard told me to give that to
YOU. I thought did, Miss Mary, deed
did" And he put the note in her
hand.
The girl had already snatched il
from it's envelope. The dumb misery
that had for weeks been growing up |
up to her very throat, seemed to var
ish as she read.
The words were the few blunt ones
of young soldier.
my Dear Miss Mary: When I real
ize that you are to sail tomorrow,
and that I am to remain here without |
you. 1 am wild enough to wish that
might give up my commission and
sail with you. Or that 1 might take
you in my arms, as long to do to-day,
and run away to the chaplain with you,
even if it might be against your will
Dear, l have never dared call you
that before, 1 love you. I love you.
II am only poor farmers boy, who
strayed into West Point. Hadn't you
guessed it? When l think of you, and
your friends, I call myself fool tn
even dare to hope that you could ever
care for me. And yet, to-day, when
l think of the days to come, the LONE
ly days without you, am bold enough
to beg for your love.
"I shall send this by Billy He is
reliable little chap, and will give it ia
you at once.
MAY see you tonight? ? If you care
to have me come. please write to me
this evening. Faithfully yours.
ROBERT H. HARD"
The girl sat and looked out beyond
the green hills, beyond the ocean, and
Billy could not see the radiance in her
face.
After a pause, he said: 'Aliss Mary,
when you write to Mr.. Hard, will you
send him lots of love, like papa does
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