The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-26

that he could not support. He would leave America if need be rather than run the risk of seeing Edith again, and of hearing Edith speak of her son.
 He settled down in his old home, but civil life seemed flat after the army. Such friends as middle age makes tried to chaff him out of his silent humors.
 ..4y. Hayward one said, If you had been court martialed you couldn't seem more depressed. Didn't your friends treat you well in the Philippines? By love! though that must have been a facer, that ride with Spencer-nasty wound that of yours. don't doubt it in the least, not in the least; but that young scamp of q boy just a boy, wasn't he?-by love; he must be made of steel Pluckiest thing I ever heard about. This war has been bringing men out tremendously. Rushed his promotion, didn't it? His people went wild with delight father bragging like mad, mother hystercal with pride. etc. Oh, by-the-by she's coming down to see you. to thank you for something or oth- CT, so she writes my wife, l don't know for what exactly-she and my wife were always great Thanksgiving her son a ' chance l suppose, or something. Any how she's coming"
 Colonel Hayward made no answer. His friends last words surprised and shocked him, and he was already busily search ing his mind for days of avoiding the promised visit.
 Coming here?' he said at last.
 "Yes she only lives about twenty miles away-well, I'll be hanged!'' he brought his chair down with a bang, 'if that is not she now, coming up the walk at brisk enough trot for lady of her years and weight"
 He crossed to the open window and looked out upon the green lawn, across fn1 f, hn ha1t His back was turned, and he did not see the color sweep out of Colonel Hay wards face as he steadied himself on tine table.
 "Oh, I can't see any one," the latter muttered helplessly. 'I feel a bit shaky yet would she excuse me, do you think?' The other turned quickly around.
 ''Why, what's the matter, old fellow?' He poured something in glass. Here, take this, 1t will steady your nerves. You'll be better in a minute"
 He pushed the glass forward but Colonel Hayward waved it aside just as Mrs. Spencer entered the room. She futtered up to him, both hands extended.
 "Colone Hayward, I know" she chirped vivaciously. q have come miles to see you-but that is nothing-I felt that I simply must see my boys colonel and thank him personally for giving him such splendid chance to distinguish him. self l know it was all he needed, the darling, just the bare chance.'
 Colonel Hayward was not so pale now, but he looked slightly demented as he gazed blankly at the vision before him.
 She was fat, dark and artificial looking
 He continued to gaze blankly when she had chirped herself out of the room
 "I thought I knew Mrs. Spencer by sight" he said when his friend returned to the room. Was she not Miss Edith--'
 But the other interrupted him.
 "Oh, you're thinking of another person altogether, myI dear fellow. Spencefs first marriage-no, she didn't leave any children. That was a bad turn you had just now. Do you feel better, old chap since the lady left?" he added with smile.
 The colonel smiled. too
 'Yes, hundred per cent better" he re- turned ungallantly. why, I feel like a new man"
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