The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-10-07

'Only tnat got my Walking papers
last night--only that | am ordered to
India with my egiment-only-" with
a sudden burst of wrath, that | am
the most miserable wretch on Gods
earth today"
Through every nerve OF his listener
thrilled a vibrant. overwhelming shock
Of pain. Every trace of color faded
from her face; it grew ungirlishly
white and rigid in the hot sunshine.
IL do not think | quite under
stand" she said, slowly, like one in
doubt "Will you tell me again.?
81 am going away!" helplessly. IL
am going away from Cragton; l am
going away from the cottage; P--de-
sparingly-'T am going away from
you!"
A bit of gold lace on his coat caught
a stray sunbeam and blaZed bravely
against the scarlet.
"You are going away!" she echoed,
blankly, that treacherous color still
truant from her cheek.
Then. with great effort, she recov-
cred herself, and held out a little,
shaking hand.
81 am very sorry" with wan smile;
we have had such pleasant times. Bon
voyage!"
He thrust open the gate and stood
before her He caught the hand ex-
tended in his own fierce grasp. His
eyes-those black, lustrous eyes in
herited from his Italian mother-were
lurid and passionate as he bent above
her.
"Dont!" holly. We must not part
like strangersl Give me promise
give me a memory to keep me strong
till we meet again. Laurie-Laurie-
Laurie! | love you'll love you!"
Into the pale, dropping face flashed
a glow, and color and a light; into
the compressed lips a sudden scarlet
tremulousness.
LAUREL" he pleaded-'Laurie!"
Slowly the bright head was uplfted
till her glance met his. And then he
knew his fate, knew it with fierce,
exultant throbbing of his heart.
For flushing the soft cheeks, touch
ing the lovely lips, kindling the lumin-
Gus eyes, was "the light that never lay
on land or sea-"
He put one strong arm around her
and drew her to him in swift. word
less ecstasy. He bent and laid his
first kiss on her lips-love's sacred
seal.
She glanced up at him, her exquis-
lite, childish face hot with bushes.
olive" she whispered, IAN I too
lightly won? fear SO; but" simply,
Il love YOU"
And then there flashed to her mind
the memory of those tender, womanly
words said long ago in old Verona.
She laughed and quoted them, softly:
"'But trust me, gentlemen. I'll prove
ro-e trre than those that have more
cunning to be strange"
/ But suddenly she started and stood
trembling from head to feet.
"Harkl"
| He smiled strangely at the sound OF
the half-terriied, gasping word.
For down the distant road there
came the tramp of marching feet, the
] sound of fife and drum.
Is there anything more humorously
pathetic, | wonder, than the change of
a regiment in an English garrison
town? The detachment of happy
small boys who escort It, the many dis.
consulate maidens who follow II till II
steams out of the station, learning
too late that soldier like sailor has
"a love in every port"--are all worthy
of curious. If half-cynical. regard.
Tramp, tramp, tramp, came the
sound of many feet And tramp,
tramp! went the pulse of many a
heart.
"You are not going now?" Laurie
Lisle cried in sudden fear-"not
now?"
Already the regiment had come in
sight, brilliant, scarlet phalanx, with
brass buttons gllstening, colors flying
bayonets bristling. He took the love
ly troubled face in his hands and kiss
ed it.
81 must But I will come back tC
you. Oh, be true to me, my darling
my darling! The knowledge of your
love has softened the pain OF depart
| uTS. IL Will nelp me, IL Will dlu me
till we meet again. For meet agar
we will, as surely as there is a Goo
above us! Good-bye-oh, my love, my
dearest-good-bye!"
He caught her In his strong, eagel
arms. He kissed the sweet, tremuloui
lips over and over.
MY Lowell" be whispered, my wife
my darling!"
Nearer and nearer down the smooth
hard road came the crash of the mu
sic.
"Harki" she breathed softly. "Heal
what they are playing"
Closer 1t sounded, and more tri
! fumphant. The regiment was passing
Every hand was lifted In mechanical
salute to their officer as they marched
by. One man. leading great, blacl
horse, paused beside the gate.
A moment more, and Give CARING
ton was riding rapidly away to the
braying music of THE Girl / Left Be
i hind Me-" He lifted his cap reverent
ly.
God bless herl" he murmured, will