The progress., 1904-03-05

door to the. inner room. where All the
women Of the townswere sewing indus
triously upon big nag.
The two youths looked into each 9TH
er's eyes with unflinching gaze. Then
each turned on-hh heel and went his
way N
At last the fateful day arrived. The
orders to march had come. In few
hours the company Of brave young souls
would be ON their way to the field Of
honor-and Of death. All was hustle
and excitement in the camp on the
green. In the homes were women's tears
and breaking hearts. As from the be-
ginning, it was mems to do and work.
women's to wait and weep.
On the rose-clad porch of a pretty cot
tage stood girl of IS. Her eyes were
dim with unshed tears. the roses had de-
serted her cheeks. The sharp COM
mands on the green and the shrill calls
of the bugle smote upon her breast. The
time for the departure of the company
was but a half hour away.
A 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.
Il thought you would not go away
without saying good-by. Robert" she
said.
II intended to-" he replied, steadily.
IL am very human, Helen, and love
you more than you can understand. l
Il thought 1t just and right that should
have an answer before went-away. l
Il 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 blow.
II beg your pardon" he went on. II
did not mean to chide you in any way
was only explaining myself. Ifelt hurt
because you would not choose, and
did mean and cowardly thing"
She raised her hand, deprecatingly.
Eyes. did," he went on sturdily. Il
said something about Ralph which
would have been inexcusable if it were
true--but 1t was false, and knew it.
1t was my hot blood that spoke, and
have been sorry ever since. could not
er0o a MO ta1
Helen" he went on, Strengthening
and placing his left hand on the hilt of
his sword, Ralph is braver man to
stay at home than l am to go to the war;
1t nearly broke his heart the night we
formed the company. But there was no.
body to care for bis mother and grand
and il he left the place they
would literally have become paupers
He fairly gritted his teeth when he left
the room without signing the roll. Capt.
Chalmers 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 as he is to his l knew it,
Helen, when l made the cowardly fling
at him in your presence for not enlist
ing. l have asked his pardon. l ask
yours, and I say to you that Ralph is
braver man for staying at home than
am for going to the front. And-and-
he is worthy of the love of any girl"
The bugles sang a sharp call, the drums
ratified, and the young soldier half
turned to go.
"Good-by," he said, with half sob.
God bless you"
Robert" screamed the Grl, as he
turned away. Come back one minute"
He turned back just in time to catch
her in his arms.
"Robert-Robert," she whispered as
she hung about his neck 1T is you
want, and have wanted all the time
only-only-I thought yen were Unfair.
Oh, ! am SC happy"
A great joy leaped into the youths
face. He kissed the upturned lips rap
.urously.
The bugles shrieked again, the drums
beat more sharply, sharp commands
'ang from across the way The lieuten-
ant gave the girl one last passionate en-
'race and sprang lightly toward the
gate. In a moment his voice could be |
heard repeating the commands. AS the |
sounds of the marching men |
we're heard the girl still stood on the |
porch, and in her eyes shone
he sweetest light ever given to man to
Zee.