Amador ledger., 1904-09-09
Marjorie watched both and smiled

mind applies today as much as ever
It did. She'll marry Callahan inside
Of six months. But it's just as we'll.
No one will say that John Stewart is n
fortune hunter" Which was strictly
true, though of little assistance in still
Ing the outcry of an aching heart.
"Tll go see her Sunday night. She
might pity me. All, I couldn't bear
her pity when it's love I wantI He
shrugged his shoulders. Brace up
John, You're degenerating into maud
lin sentimentality. I'll tell her it's q
business chance I'm taking. She'll nev-
er know about the lungs until she's en-
gagged or married.
Stewart leaned back with a sigh of
fnality, for his plan of action, to which
he must hold with all his strength, was
thus outlined
Then he gave himself to the joy of
conjuring her up before his mental
vision. He saw the mischievous spar
kle of the gray eyes, the daintily round
ed chin and the red, red lips. He felt
again the touch of her soft, little hand,
from all of which it may readily be
seen that Captain Stewart was very
much in love indeed.
It was Sunday noon when the train
reached Waterville Church was Just
| out, and there were a score of carria ges
at the depot. Each vehicle was soon
surrounded by the returned soldiers,
for Company K was composed of
youth with social standing. Captain
Stewart singled out the Madison car
riage. Marjorie was seated within. It
was cold, and there were furs at her
throat, but there were roses on her
breast. Stewart, with a pang, saw
that Callahan was beside her. "His
roses! he sighed.
Welcome home, soldierp' said Miss
Madison, with a smiling little military
salute "1 read of the terrible bat
ties of the blues and the browns. Did
you get woundedT Then she noted his
tired eyes and the droop which he could
not keep out of his shoulders. The
smile died away. Have you been sick7 p
"Oh, I'm all rightr' replied Captain
Stewart cheerfully as he clasped the
proffered hand. Neither sick nor
wounded and glad to be home. How
do, Mr. CallahanT'
Callahan acknowledged the greeting
briefly. He had noticed the solicitude
for his rival in Miss Madison's eyes
and was not pleased.
THE company's forming, and 1 must
get back. May come up this evening
and tell you about the cruel war;"
Delighted to have you, Captain
Stewart. And let me give you some
advice. Go right home and lie down
for an hour or two. You look tired
"If she's that way tonight" thought
Stewart dolefully as he marched to
the armory at the head of his COM
pany, $50 kind and friendly, I'm afraid
I'll say something foolish about love
in a cottage" Then he set his jaws.
"a poverty stricken lawyer with only
one lung has no business thinking Of
such things. Keep a grip on yourself
tonight, Jack"
Marjorie herself met him at the door
that evening. Strengthened by an aft
ernoon nap, the captain kept manfully
to his resolve that no word of love
should pass his lips. He even essayed
a Jest or two, but Miss Madison would
not joke. She talked but little and
smiled softly Anon silences fell be-
tween them-tender, significant silences
which Stewart tried his best to
bridge. A new feeling had somehow,
despite his attitude, arisen between
them, an intimate, personal relation
which he could not ignore.
I'm going away" he said at last.
Down to New Mexico. Leave tomor-
row noon on the Chicago express"
ITO New Mexico?" SIZE did not seem
surprised. "On businessf'
Yes; it's business" He had not
| known it was such embarrassing work
to lie. II have a cousin, you know
Hugh Gordon. He's in the mines at
Oscura."
She was silent a moment, gazing at
him steadily. He could not bear the
radiance of her eyes and half turned
away. There was tremulous reproach
in her low voice when she spoke:
"Ah, Mr.. Stewart what are friends
for if they will not share our troubles
Do you not think enough of me-of
u.s." she changed 1t quickly, and Stew
arts heart, which had bounded at her
words, sank again, ito let us into your
conidence7 You are going to New
Mexico to fight consumption. DR..
Church told papa and me this after.
noon. And you would have kept silentr'
''Yes," he replied, raising his head,
II would have kept silent. Every one
has his troubles. 1t would hardly be
right to intrude mine. And then there
is no one who really cares
mo one who cares?"
81 have no near relatives" he said
simply. There are possibly a score
of people in Waterville who would say
If they heard it, 4 hope Stewart gets
better Then they'll forget all about
me. That isn't caring like ones own
flesh and blood"
mo one at all to carer" There was
suspicion of tears in Miss Madison's
voice.
The situation was becoming too much
for Stewards resolve. He arose IL
must say goodby. It's late-there are
things to pack
She stood before him with swim
ming eyes, though her lips smiled q
little. $50 you're going alone to New
Mexico and nobody cares"
I-I-goodby, Miss Madison" he
!