Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-05-08

house. He stopped ut little distanc,
from her, hat In hand. He was very
thin, worn and old looking. and In thu
failing light might have been taken fol-
tall, gentle ghost, yet his shoulders
were squared and he held himself as
straight as he had the first time she
had ever seen him.
"Mrs. Tanberry told me should find
you here" he said hesitatingly. Il have
come to say goodby."
She did not turn toward him nor did
more than her lips move as she an
swered, "Goodby," and her tone was
neither kind nor cold, but held nc
meaning whatever, not even indiffer.
ence.
There was al interval Of silence.
Then, without surprise, he walked sad.
ly to the gate, paused, wheeled about
suddenly and returned with q quick,
firm step.
Il will not so until know that do
not misunderstood you." lie said, mot
even If there Is only the slightest
chance that / do. want to say some
thing to you If you will let me, though
naturally l remember you once asked
me never to speak to you again. 1t is
only that have thought you did that
under misconception or else should
still obey you. II YOU
what is 1t that you wish to sayT
Her tone was unchanged.
"Only that think the hardest time
for you has passed, and that
"DO you" she interrupted.
"Yes," he returned, "the saddest Of
your life. think 1t has gone forever.
And | think that what will come to
you will be all you wish for. There
will be a little time Of waiting
Waiting for what?
He drew step nearer, and his voice
became very gentle. Cummings and
I reach our regiment tomorrow night.
and there in the camp Is a group Of
men OH the way to the war, and they
all go the more bravely because each
one Of them has you in his heart-not
one but will be better soldier be-
cause OF you. ! want you to believe
that II all of them don't come back, yet
the one whose safety you think Of and
fear for will return. For, you see,
Crailey told me what you said to him
when-when he met you here the last
time. | have no way to know which Of
them you meant: but-he will come
back to you! am sure Of 1t, because
I believe you are to be happy. All.
you've had your allotment Of pain!
AFTER all, there Is so little to regret.
The town seems empty without Its
young men. yet you may rejoice, re.
memberlng how bravely they went and
how gayly. They will sing half the
way to Vera Cruz. You think 1t strange
should say there is 80 little to regret
when I've just laid away my best
friend. 1t was his own doctrine, and
the selfish personal grief and soreness
grow less when think Of the gallant
end he made, for it was he who went
away most bravely and jauntily Of all.
Crailcy was no failure unless l let
what he taught me go to no effect.
And be sure he would have told you
what l tell you now, that all is well
with all in the world"
"Pleasew she cried, with quick in
take of breath through closed teeth.
Il will do anything in the world to
please you," he answered sorrowfully.
do you mean that
She turned at last and faced him, but
without lifting her eyes. "Why did
you come 10 say goodby to me?"
II don't understand"
II think you do" Her voice was cold
and steady. but it was suddenly given
to him 10 perceive that she was trem-
bling from head to heel.
An exclamation of remorse broke
from him.
"Ah, YOU came here to be alone! r.
STOP" she said. You said goodby
to me once before. Dill you come to
see-what you saw then?"
He fell back in utter amaZement, but
she advanced upon him swiftly. What
Is that:" she cried.
The unfortunate young man could
make no reply and remained unable to
defend himself from her lneXplicable
attack.
"You have not forgotten" she went
OH impetuo@5;y. 1T vas II the crowd
just before tLcy gave you the flag.
You saw-I know you saw-anI 1t
killed me with tha shame of It! Eow
you come to L:c to lock at the same
thing again, and The E0at waiting for
you! Is it Il revenge for fat E..slt at
the Barcauls'! Perhaps ills sounds
wild to yc.-I can. ,:e.D that-but why
should you try to make it harder for
meT"
From the porch came strong voice,
"Vanrevei.
God knows l haven't meant to-"
said Tom In bitter pain. II don't un-
derstand. It's Cummings calling for
me. I'll go ut once. I'd hoped. stupidity
enough. that you would tell me whom
1t was you ne:;nt when you spoke TO