Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-05-03

His thoughtful gaze wandered from the
other to the wine glass he was slowly
twisting in his fingers. But how?"
Dynamite" replied Major Black He
took cigar from his pocket and cut off
the end with infinite care. Then he
added, we must send some one up there
to blow 1t up"
Colonel Bustis raised his eyes and
nodded to him. THAT is the only way"
he said.
Whoever goes" Major Black conrln-
ued, must go alone. two or more men are
certain to be discovered The chances
are that even one will be. But we must
take the chance"
You are right the colonel agreed.
"One man must go alone-alone," he
added slowly and almost under his breath,
TO almost certain death, even though he
save the rest Of u.s."
Yes" put in the Major, ut Is almost
certain death, even though we are saved
That is why an officer must 60"
At his words Colonel Eustls turned
swiftly toward him, and his face went
white beneath its coat OF tan. "An Off
cer!' he exclaimed In a voice that had
changed greatly. Even though Il was
still low, there ran through it a thrill of
terror.
Yes" replied Black inexorabiy. IAN
officer The risk is too great, the result
vate"
A pause followed his words while the
two men stared steadily into each others
eyes. There was a fierce battle going on
between them, though for what did not
understand. The Major won. slowly be-
fore his steady gaze the colonel bowed his
head until at last his chin sank on his
breast. Then he spoke, but in so low a
voice that I could scarcely hear.
Il will call for volunteers from among
the officers" he mumbled.
Black stepped forward and laid his
hand upon the others shoulder There
was an odd suggestion of tenderness in
the gesture-the sudden sympathy Of one
not given to sympathizing.
There are only two officers who can
CO. he said, and his voice seemed less
harsh than usual. you and I are too
old. 1t lies between Lieutenant Warner
and your son, and both would volunteer
So, even then, you would still have to
choose"
At his words Colonel Eusts raised his
face quickly and looked at him and there
was upon his face such n look as I hope
| shall never see again--a hunted look
that was fun Of pain and torture It told
me everything. The colonel must choose
one OF the two men to go upon n mission
that meant almost certain DEATH and one
of those men was his son-his only son
His honor directed that his choice fall
upon his son. There was no recourse
| from that. and he was all that the colonel
| had In the world-the only one he had
| loved in life who remained to comfort his
old age.
1t was ptlful to watch the man as he
saw this and understood. The fine old
face behind the white military mustache
and Imperial grew gray and wrinkled and
shriveled. II seemed almost to be backing
| away. The eyes lost their brightness and
were dun and blank. The fine firm mouth
weakened and dropped at the edges He
ff10~ to aNg. Ii.
wine; but the hand that raised the glass
shook until It's contents were spilled upon
the spotless CLOTH dying It n brilliant
carmne
saw Major Black suddenly turn away
and walk to the window. where he stood
looking out. / knew the thought In his
mind; he was afraid that Colonel Eustis
would forget his honor and choose Lieu
tenant Warner. For before our very eyes
we had seen him, n strong man, turn into
senie wreck a hero become coward
The sight was more than I could bear
l turned from him; but even as I did so
started back, and a cry escaped my lips
Behind where he sat the curtains which
separated n farther room had been drawn
ASIDE and saw Marion Vaughn and
Lieutenant Warner. They had heard
every word that had been spoken
In the tenseness OF the moment no one
heard my cry or noticed my involuntary
gesture. Then I saw that the girls face
was white and set while with parted lips
and staring eyes she waited to hear the
colonels voice. A step back Of her stood
| Warner. his eyes on her face He would
surely find out now II she loved him or
no. II the choice should fall upon the
man she loved
II will send" he began in a queer hard
voice that cracked and wavered, and then
he paused. 1t was horrible. that pause!
Oh, how | prayed that he would conquer
liGg hot NnIf
he began again, this time in a firmer
tone; but before he could finish Marion
gave n sharp little sigh and fell fainting
20 the floor Warner understood the
swoon as I did-she loved Harry Eustis
With one bound he stood In the centre Of
the room.
Colonel" he cried in n ringing voice,
II have heard everything and ask that
you give me the commission"
saw the colonel raise his face in the
dazed way of one who finds hope when he
believes there is none / saw the color
come into his cheeks and the light into
his eyes I saw him stagger to his feet
and go toward Warner with outstretched
hands; and then turned and knelt by the
unconscious girl.
Presently Warner Joined me- Colonel
Eustis and Major Black had gone to pre-
pare for his undertaking They had left
him behind to say good by.
Just as he stopped over her she opened
her eyes. 'Dick!" she breathed happily.
ITS all right. Marion" he whispered
'The colonel has accepted me. Harry will
be safe"
The happiness fled from her face, and in
its place came fear. "You-you voun-
teered to save Harry for met" she said.
'Oh! II is you I love! 1t was because I
thought he had chosen you that tainted"
"God!"' he cried softly-under his
breath.
She flung her arms about his neck, hold
ing him close to her, while she cried wild
ly, you must not go! Oh. Dick. you
must not go!"
"Hush!" he whispered quietly There
is no other way-now" Then he strained
her to his breast.
And even while they stayed so Harry
Eustis entered the room. He must have
known of what Warner was to do before
he entered the room. and now a glance
told him the rest. He stopped still and
his face went very white.
Warner heard him enter and raised his |
head Harry" he said. 81 am going per-
haps to my death. If do not come back, |
will you care for her?"
Yes" answered the other and stepped |
forward. Without another word Warner |
laid her-she had tainted again and was |
passive-into his arms. For a moment |
he stood looking down at her white face. |
Then STOPPING he kissed not the lips now,
but the forehead, and whispered softly. |
Good by, sweetheart turned and went |
quickly from the room.
When I haA ba-