The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1908-02-20

line. Now ne realized mat ne was %
be n part 81 this chosen nghting force
and HIS heart responded 10 tho sum
mons az 20 a hugie call Ia battle.
Instantly the little camp was astir.
the men feeling the enthusiasm ~
their officers. with preparations we'll
ia hand, Brant's thoughts veered nee
again toward Nadia. He rode down TO
the Herndon house with grave face
and sober thought. He recalled long
the plainly furnished room into which
Mrs, Herndon ushered him to await
the girls appearance-the formal look
OF the old-fashiOned hair-cloth furni.
ture, the prim striped paper on the
walls, the green shades at the Wan.
dows. the clean rag carpet on the door.
The very stiffness chilled him. left
him nl at ease. Then he heard the
rustic OF Naida's skirt and turned TO
meet her. She was pale from her
weeks OF nursing. and sgitated for fear
Of what this unexpected call might
portend. Yet to his thought she ap-
peared calm. her restrained.
Nor could anything be kinder than her
first greeting, the frankly extended
hand, the words expressive Of well
come.
"Mr. Wynkoop Informed me a few
minutes ago that you had at last re-
ceiyed your orders for the north" she
said. her lips slightly trembling. Il
wondered II you would leave without
a word OF farewell"
He bowed low. Il do not under
stand how you could doubt. for ! have
shown my deep interest in you even
from the first II / have lately Eeemed
to avoid you, II has only been because
/ believed you wished Il {.
There was an embarrassing pause,
as though neither knew how 10 get
through the interview.
mo doubt you are reioiced to be
sent on active service again. she said.
at last.
Yes, both as a soldier and as a
man, Miss Nadia. ] am glad to get
into the field again with my regiment,
to do my duty under the flag. and I
am equally reioiced TO have something
occur which will tend to divert my
thoughts. I had not intended to say
anything Of this kind. but now that /
am with you I simply cannot restrain
the words. This past month has been.
/ believe. the hardest ] have ever been
compelled to live through. You sim.
ply mystify me so that ] alternately
hope and despair. Your methods are
| cruel"
Miner? and she gszed at him with
parted lips. Lieut. Brant. what can
you mean? What IS II I have done7'
1T may have been only play to you
and so easily forgotten. he went on.
bitterly. But that Is a dangerous
game. very certain to hurt some one.
Miss Nadia. your face, your eyss. even
your lips almost continually tell me
thing; your words another. l
know not which 10 trust. I never
meet you except 20 60 away baHed
and bewtldercd
You wish 10 know the TRUTH"
cay, and for all time' Are you
false or true2 Coquette OF woman7
Do you simply play with hearts FOR
idle amusement OF is there some true
purpose ruling your actions
She looked directly az him, her
hands clasped. her breath almost
sobbing between the parted lips. Al
FIRST she could not speak. oh. You
hurt me so, she faltered at last. Il
did not suppose you could ever think
that IL did not mean #. oh. truly
/ did not mean IL, You forget how
young I am; how very little l know
OF the world and SIS ways Perhaps
have not even realized how deeply In
earnest you were. have deceived my
self into believing you were merely
amusing yourself with me. Why. In.
deed. should ! think otherwise?"
Il love YOU. he said. with simple
C%honesty Il seek you FOR my wife"
She started az these frankly spoken
words. her hands partially ~conceallng
her face. her form trembling. "Oh. I
wish you hadn't said that Il is no,
because ! doubt you any longer. not
that I fan 90 appreciate all you Offer
me. but IL Is 30 hard 10 appear un.
grateful. TO give nothing IN return Tor
so vast a gift"
Then Il is true that you DO no;
love mc7"
The blood famed suddenly up into
her face. but there was no lowering OF
the eyes, no shrinking back. She vas
too honest 20 play the coward before
him.
Il shall not attempt 90 deceive YOU.
she said. with a slow imprnsaivonos'
instantly carrying conviction. This
has already progressed 30 far that
now owe you complete fnnkness
Donald Brant, now and always. llying
or dead, married OF single, wherever
life may take us. ! shall love you"
Their eyes were meeting, but she
held up her hand 10 restrain him from
the one step forward.
NO. no; / have confessed the truth,
have opened freely 20 you the greaI
secret OF my heart With Il you mus.
be content 90 leave me. There Is moth
ing more that 1 can give you, absolute