The Montgomery tribune., 1908-05-22
line Now he realized that he was 10

Il
mons as to bugle call In battle.
Instantly the little camp was antfr,
the men feeling the enthusiasm OF
their officers. With preparations we'll
in hand, Brant's thoughts veered once
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 win.
dows, the clean rag carpet on the floor.
The very stiffness chilled him, left
him Ill 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 agitated for fear
of what this unexpected call might
portend. Yet to his thought she ap.
peared calm, her manner restrained.
Nor could anything be kinder than her
first greeting. the frankly extended
hane, the words expressive Of well
| come.
"Mr. Wynkoop informed me few
minutes ago that you had at last re-
ceived your orders for the north" she
said,, her lips slightly trembling. Il
wondered If you would leave without
word of farewell"
He bowed low. II do not under
stand how you could doubt, for I'have
shown my, deep interest in you even
from the first. If / have lately seemed
to avoid you, 1t has only been because
| I believed you wished it So"
| There was an embarrassing pause.
as though neither knew how to get
through the interview.
'No doubt you are rejoiced to be
'sent on active service again" she said,
| at last.
"Yes, both as soldier and as q
man, Miss Nadia. am glad to get
into the field again with my regiment,
to do my duty under the flag, and
am equally rejoiced 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 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 80 that I alternately
hope and despair. Your methods are
CRUEL"
Miner" and she gazed at him with
parted lips. Lieut.. .Brant, what can
you mean? What is it have done?''
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 eyes, even
your lips almost continually tell me
one thing; your words another. !
know not which to trust. I never
meet you except to go away baffled
and ,bewildered."
"You wish to know the TRUTH"
"Ay. and for all time! Are you
false or true? Coquette or woman Z
Do you simply play with hearts for
idle amusement or is there some true
purpose ruling your actions?"
She looked directly at him, her
hands clasped. her breath almost
sobbing between the parted lips. AT
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 It; oh, truly
did not mean 1t! You forget how
young I am; how very little I know
Of the world and its 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?"
81 love you," he said, with simple
honesty. II seek you for my wife,"
She started at these frankly spoken
words, her hands partially concealine
her face, her form trembling. "Oh,
wish you hadn't said that! It is moi
because doubt you any longer; moi
that I fail to appreciate all you offel
me. But 1t is so hard to appear un
grateful, to give nothing In return fol
so vast gift"
"Then 1t is true that you do moi
love me?"
The blood famed suddenly up int
her face, but there was no lowering o.
the eyes. no shrinking back. She wai
too honest to play the coward before
I him.
II shall not attempt to deceive you.
she said, with slow impressivenesi
instantly carrying conviction. "Thii
has already progressed so far that
now owe you complete frankness
Donald Brant, now and always, Living
or dead, married or single, wherever
life may take us, shall love you"
Their eyes were meeting, but sht
held up her hand to restrain him from
the one step forward.
mo, no; have confessed the truth
1 have opened freely to you the grea
secret of my heart. With 1t you mus
be content to leave me. There is moth
Ing more that can give you, absolute