The Irish standard., 1907-11-16

u0 ldlull1dl ySAo" ASuSN al SAC
crossroads appeared so unattractive
as to suggest the thought that Nadia
must have been inexpressibly lonely
during those months of waiting. He
knocked at the sun-warped door.
Without delay it was flung open, and
q vision of flushed face and snowy
drapery confronted him.
why, Lieut.. Brant! was never
more surprised in my life. Do. pray.
come right in. Yes, Nadia is here,
T. and l will 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
to arrive Just at this time, isn't it,"
The young officer silently accepted
Mr.. Wynkoops extended hand. and
found convenient chair, as Miss
Spencer hastened from the room to
announce his arrival.
why Just at this time?'" he ques.
toned.
/ Mr. Wynkoop cleared his throat
''Why-why, you see. we are to be
married this evening-AIiss Spencer
and myself We shall be SO delighted
to have you witness the ceremony. 1t
10 to take place at the church, and
my people insist upon making quite
an affair out of the occasion-Phoebe
is so popular, you know
The lady again hustled in. her eyes
glowing with enthusiasm. why, I
think it is perfectly delightful. Don't
you, Howard? Now Lieut.. Brant and
MAZDA can stand up with us. You
WILL won't you. Lieutenant"
THAT must be left entirely with
Nadia for decision" he replied, so.
berry.
There was a rustic at the inner
door. and MAZDA stood there. Their
eyes met, and the color mounted
swiftly to the girls cheeks. Then he
stepped resolutely forward. forgetful
of all other presence, and clasped her
hand in both his own. Neither spoke
word. yet each understood some
thing of what was in the heart of the
other.
''Will you walk outside with me?"
he asked, at last. II have much to
say which l am sure you would rather
hear alone."s
She bent her head. and with brief
word of explanation to the others. the
young officer conducted her forth into
the bright July sunshine They walk.
ed in silence side by side along the
bank of the little stream. Brant glanc-
ed furtively toward the sweet, girlish
face. Then he spoke ,.
Nadia" he said, gravely. II have
come back, as said Il would and
surely read welcome IN your eyes?"
Eyes"
"And have come to say that there
Is no longer any shadow Of the dead
between u.s." ,,....-. -....
She looked up quickly, her hands
clasped, her cheeks flushing. Are
you sure? Perhaps you :. misunder.
stand; perhaps you mistake my mean.
ing"
'I know it ALL" he answered, sober.
ly. from the lips Of Hampton
You have seen him? Oh. Lieut..
Brant, please tell me the whole truth.
! have missed him SO much. and since
the day he rode away to Cheyenne not
one word to explain his absence has
come back to me. You cannot
understand what this means, how
much he has become to me through
years of kindness" +
T. "You have heard nothing?"
mot word
Brant drew long, deep breath. He
had supposed she knew this. At last
he said gravely: MAZDA, the truth
will prove the kindest message,
think. He died in that unbroken ring
of defenders clustered about Gen.
Custer on the bluffs of the Little Big
Horn"
Her slight figure trembled so VIC.
lently that he held her close within
his arms.
There was smile upon his face
when we found him. He performed
his full duty, Nadia, and died as be-
came soldier and gentleman.
"But-but. this cannot be! I saw
the published list; his name was not
among them" ~
"The man who fell was Robert
Nolan" 80
Gently he drew her down to seat
upon the soft turf of the bank. She
looked up at him helplessly, her mind
seemingly dazed, her eyes yet filled
with doubt.
, Robert Nolan! My father?"
He bent over toward her, pressing
his lips to her hair and stroking II
tenderly with his hand.
Eyes, MAZDA, darling; 1t was truly
} Robert Hampton Nolan who died in
, battle, in the ranks of his old regi
ment-died as he would have chosen
: to die, thank God! completely cleared
Of every stain upon his honor. Si1
} up, little girl. and listen while tel
) you. There is in the story no wore
, which does not reflect nobility upor
! the soldiers daughter"
She uplifted her white face. "Tel
me-" she said, simply, "all you know