The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-09
Our Daily SIcrt Story

mems to do and work. women s to wait and weep.
 On the rose-ciad porch of pretty cot-
 tage stood a siri of IS. Her eyes we're
 dim with unxlzad sfearB, the roses had tle,
 serted her cheeks. The sharp commanls 1 on the green and the shrin calls Of inc bngle smote upon her breast The time for the departure of the company was
 but half hour away. N quick step resounded on the walk, the gate was flung open and the young lieutenant, stood before her. hat in hand and with strange, pale dignity in his face
 The girl had known who it was the mo-
 ment she heard his step. The color re- turned to her cheek She looked into his eyes with smile,
 'I thought you would not go away with
 out s&ying good-bye, Robert" she said. :I intended to-" he replied. steadily. q -I am very human. Helen, and I love you
 uors than you can understand. IT thought 1t just and right that should
 have an answer before I went-away. = did not think 1t was quite fair to string things along the same as when we all were here on the same footing--''
 She threw Up one hand in involuntary protest-as If to ward a blow.
 T beg your pardon" hc went on. '1 did not mean to chide you in any way. I was only explaining myself. I felt hurt because you would not choose, and did q mean and cowardly thing"
 She raised her hand, deprecatingly
 'Yes, did," he went on sturdily. "I said something about Ralph which would have been lnexcusable if 1t were true.
 but it was false, and knew it. It was my hot blood that spoke. and have seen sorry ever since. I could not go away without telling you" Helen" he went on, straightening and placing his left hand on the hilt of his sword, Ralph is a braver man to stay at home than am to go to the war. It
 nearly broke his heart the night we form ed the company. But there was nobody to care for his mother and grandmother. and fl he left the place they would literally have become paupers. He fairly grltted his teeth when he left the room without signing the roll. Captain Chai-
 mers said: There boys, is a man who is showing higher courage than 1t will take to face bullets and bayonets. Pray God that you all may be as true to your duty ss he Is to his knew it, Helen, when made the cowardiy fling at him ! in your precence for not eniisting. I have asked his pardon. ask yours, and I say to you that Ralph is a braver man
  to the front. And--and-he is worthy of | the love of any girl"
 The bugles sang a sharp call. the drums 1 rattled. and the young soldier half turn ed to go.
 ''Good-by." he said. with a half sob. God bless you
 turned away. Come back on minute !" He turned back just in time to catch l her in his arms.
 "Robert-Robert." she whispered. as she hung about his neck. 'It Is you want.
 and have wanted all the time--oHly--only
 --I thought you were unfair. Oh. I am so happy" A great joy leaped into the youths face. He kissed the upturned lips rapturously. The bugles shrilzed again. the drums beat more sharply, sharp commands rang from across the way. The lieutenant gave the girl one last passionate em- brace and sprang lightly toward the gate. In moment his voice could be heard re- beating the commands. As the retreating
 sounds of the marching men were heard the girl still stood on the r0Be-clad porch, and in her eyes shone the sweetest light ever given to man to see.