Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-29
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III
Mrs. Gilmore stood in the anteroom Of
I75SSFSI the hospital listening to t with that
Hsezy strained annoyance which comes Of
overfretted nerves Sikh orderly
moved across the compound Further off the
regular tramp Of a sentry filed in the pauses be-
tween the sharp, brittle crack Of the Martins
over all sailed broad, bene6cent silver moon
mere was brisk step from the hospital She
mad slipped away at its coming on the four pre-.
vious nights. This night she shuddered little
and waited Two weeks ago She with her hus.
band, the Resident of Jimrah, and their half
company escort had struggled into the little out
post, Fort Ardal, followed by fanatic gang Of
Afridis, stung into frenzied revolt by the blum
der of much-decorated authority. Her husband,
Hugh Gilmore, "a young Of PROMISE" lay
in the hospital with slug in his breast, sniped
four days ago.
So far she had avoided Jack Spens. When he
went his rounds she slipped away At other
times she did not leave the little military cot
"here Gilmore in high fever betrayed small Sc.
crets OF his childhood. It was curious that the
lor' INTO which they had straggled two weeks
ago should be under Jacks command. -Four
years ago her husband had swept her away from
0irnia, where an ornate scandal, involving her
name and Jacks, had afforded pleasure to many
Major Spens halted in the anteroom. full in
the light of the moon. He looked baooard and
spent with work and anxiety. The undress cap
showed hair greyed at the temples. He was in
service ht--he had discarded his mess uniform
curing the last strenuous fortnight
nave waited to see you tonight" Mrs Gill
more said. He started. She was in shadow and
he had not perceived her.
Mrs. Gilmore" His face stifened.
hear many tales. 1 want to know the
truth. Is there any hope?"j
For him"
For him--for all of U.S."
he is, of course, badly ht-but there is al.
ways hope, Mrs. Gilmore Sands says he is easier
tonight-less fever-less restlessness" His tone
was evasive; she caught the real import of its
hurried glibness.
see," she said quietly. "You tell me much.
but think knew it before Will it be soon?"
he stared first at her and then out into the
moonllt compound. He had half forgotten the
old days and the old memories. OF course, it
was useless to lie to her-she knew, she always
knew. He had often thought her almost uncan-
ny in her intuitions.
Some time tomorrow, Sands says" He spoke
brusquely but not unfeelngly There had been
a time when he had hated Gilmore; now all emo.
tions seemed curiously unreal. What did it mat
ter? The brittle crack Of rife came from the
scrub beyond 1t was fairly good answer TO
his question, he thought
Some time tomorrow She spoke quite even.
ly, without repression stress. "Will there be
a tomorrow
He faced her quickly. Could she in truth read
his thoughts, or was it mere chance question !?
She might have heard whispers 1t certainly
was quite clear that they were in a tight hole
'EWhat do you mean?" he asked.
will there be tomorrow for us Jack?" she
repeated. "You can tell me. You-you know I
shall take it quietly. II have no nerves. You
said had pluck-once. Do you remember
when the waller ran away-you shot him, Jack
You thought it all over with us-and YOU
shot him directly you had pulled him up. I
didn't cry out then-I shan't now''
Il think" he said very slowly, and plucking
at his bet-strap, "I think there will not be to.
morrow He stopped for moment, and then
added, almost under his breath, 'Effie."