The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-28
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as 70 suggest the thought that Naida
must have been tnexpressibly lonely
during those months Of waiting. He
knocked III the stin-warped door
Without delay Il was, flung open, and
a Vision o. flushed face and snowy
dfapery confronted him
why, Lieut.. Brant! i was never
more spfpflsed In my life. Do, pray
come right IN. Yes, Nadia is here
and i vim have her sent for at once
OH Howard this is Lieut.. Brant, Just
back from his awful Indian fighting.
How very nice that he should happen
10 arrive Just at this time, isn't tn"
Tie Young oficef silently accepted
M Wynkoop's extended hand, and
found q convenient chair, as Miss
Spencer fiastened from the room to
announce his arrival
why lust at this timer" he ques.
toned.
Wynkoop cleared his throat
why, you see, we are to be
married this evening Miss Spencer
ndnisself We shall be SO delighted
10 have you witness the ceremony. 1t
Is to take place at the church, and
my people insist upon making quite
an affair out Of the occaston-Phoeb
IS soS popular, you know"
The lady again hustled in, her eyes
glowing with enthusiasm. why, l
think Il Is perfectly delightful. Don't
yen Howard? Now Lieut.. Brant and
Mazda can, stand up with US. You
win; won't you. Lieutenant"
That must be left entirely with
Nadia for decision" he replied, so.
berry.
There was q rustic at the inner
door and Nadia stood there. Their
J eyes met and the color mounted
swiftly to the girls cheeks. Then he
stepped resolutely forward, forgetful
ot an other presence and clasped her
hand In both his own, Neither spoke
d word, yet each understood some.
thing o. what was in the heart Of the
other.
IN You walk outside with me-"
he asked at last. II have much to
say which n am sure you would rather
3 hear alone.
re She bent her5head, and with brief
word of explanation to the others, the
young officer conducted her forth into
tie bright July sunshine. They walk.
N ed In silence side by side along the
bank Of the little stream. Brant glanc
led turtiyely toward the sweet, girlish
face. Then he spoke.
Nadia" he said gravely, II have
come back, as said l would, and
I surely Il read welcome In your eyes?"
Yes,
And / have come to say that there
IS mo longer any shadow of the dead
between us"
She looked up quickly, her hands
clasped, her cheeks flushing. Are
You sure? Perhaps you misunder
stand; perhaps you mistake my mean
Ing
know It all,' he answered, sober.
" from the lips of Hampton
you have seen him? oh, Lieut.,
Bfant, please tell me the whole truth.
u have missed him 80 much, and since
the day he rode away to Cheyenne not
one word to explain his absence has
come back to me. You cannot
understsad what this means, how
much he has become to me through |
years Of kindness"
You have heard pothtng?"
4 Not a word"
Brant drew a long deep breath. He
had supposed she knew this. At last
he said gravely: MAZDA, the truth
will prove the klndest message,
think He died in that unbroken ring
81 defenders clustered about Gen,
4 Custer on the bluffs Of the Little Big /
Horn. 5ill,sSIn,yra ~
Her slight figure tremhled so VIC.
lently that he held her close within
hiss arms.
.There was smile upon his face
when we found him. He performed
: his full duty, Nadia, and died as be.
came a soldier and a gentleman"
'tBut-but, this cannot be! saw
The published list; his name was hot
among thea,g
9Th. z man Who fell was Robert
Nolan
Gently he drew her down to a seat
upon the soft turf Of the bank. She
looked up at him helplessly, her mind
seemingly dazed, her eyes yet filled
With dgapt, $3.50
II Robert Nolan? Ny fatherH"
He bent over toward her, pressing
ms lips to her half and stfoking It
tehderiy with his hand.
.:Yes, Nadia, darling; 1t was truly
Robert Hampton Nolan who died In }
BATH, An; the ranks Of his old reg.
iaGnt7 died as he would have ehcS6a |
to die, thank God completely CLEARED
q every stain upon his honor, sh
5sd6 ! little girl, and listen while ! Sell |
yoa! There Is in tne story ,tib word
which does not reflect nobility upon,
the soldiers daughter"
She upiitted her While face, "Ten
me. Bhe said, simply, Hall you know"
BE recounted, to der slowly, care
a III. b B az dnfaffA NJ +hat desnarnte