Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-26
WAR AMID THE WOMAN

promise to tho other man before she
knew what love meant-before we
had met each other. She knew OF
course that she did not love the other
man." he continued, stlll intent upon
the figure he was drawing: but she
did not love anyone else. and she was
the death OF her father and mother
he had been her hest. almost her
only. friend. by his tender thought
fulness and care he had made her
sad life easier TO lear You see, she
owed him everything"
Strangely enough. though Brown.
ing's averted eyes did not observe It,
n curious change had come over his
listener. Tho apathy which seemed
always upon him had vanished utterly.
He was listening to every word with
an odd breathless intcntness so
strained as 10 suggest that OF man
waiting to her sentence which should
make or mar his life.
And 60" Browning went OH slow.
~. when on tho night before he left
for the 'front.'"
For the frontn' there was n sud
den sharpness In Ransome's voice as
he echoed the words; sudden look
of pain lighted his cold. blue eyes.
His manner was that of n man who
all ut once faces horrible suspl-
cion,-7-n suspicion which with all his
strength lie tries ana tries vanly. to
subduc. Ii was with an obvious effort
that he continued. For the 'front.'"
he said once more. "Then he Is II
soldier"
browning nodded "Yes. he Is n
soldier, like you and l. though | do
not know his name. Alice would ncv.
or tell II to me-
Affect" The strange note in Ran,
some's voice seemed to have become
intensified. the dreadful suspicion was
apparently growing stronger and
stronger "Allce!' he repeated IN n
voice so low that IL was almost n
whisper.
Again Browning nodded. ,|"That Is
her name he admitted a sudden
grave tenderness creeping into his
voice. Il had not mQant 10 spcal, II.
but after all 1t does not matter
now
Ihe other gaye'n queer little hope
less shrug. No" he agreed. at docs
not matter now" lie paused for al,
instant ana thcn added in the cola
lard voicg that was usunl with him
Nothing, matters now
A silence fell between them. II
was browning presently who broke II
lie was still utterly obllvious to tho
strange change in the others manner.
NO seemed quite unconscious of the
fur,iye, almost frightened look in The
coid' blue eyes, the deadly pallor OF
the white, drawn face before him.
AS was saying" he resumed
the night before the other man WI,
leaving for the front. he told Allc,
That he loved her. He was. so she
| mas told me, n coldly reserved man
ana up to that moment she had povo,
nhd tho least suspicion of tho truth
nu'' when once the barriers had beer
swept away he showed her that his
iee'ing for her was very deem nnd
very strong. Il almost frightened
her 10 look upon his love, II was sc
great. She saw that her consent
meant everything to him: that she
was the one hope of his lonely life
tic paused for an instant and
shrugged his shoulders YEARLY. Tho
o!her did not so much as glance nj
MN Ills eyes We're closed tight, his
mouth was drawn into a thin, straight
me MS fists were clcpchcd. Hc held
himself 80 still that 1t seemed ms
'houGh nc scarcely even breathed.
seeing this browning went on
Ancc remembered his goodness tc
ner, ms thoughtful care. his bound
less tenderness, No man. remember
,iaa ever moved her heart: she know
little of life, nothing of love. II /,
easy TO understand how gratitude
prompted her to what she did. She
nromised to be his wife. She evor
permitted him to believe that she
loved him.
Had Browning glanced at his
trends face ut that moment he must
certainly have guessed the truth. II
WAS gray and twisted with main
fialniy enough. only supreme effort
enabled him to retain his self.control
But he did not notice II. Still dreari
~ intent upon carving figures on thf
floor before him. he continued.
II was after this that went tc
LcnoX for n few weeks"
Lenox.' the tone in which Ran.
some whispered the word, was So
strange that al last it attracted
Brown!ng's attention and he glanced
QUICKLY up at him. hut not quickly
enough. ANTICIPATING the movement
.hc other had bent his head down
oyer me paper he was still twisting
VI MS hngcrs. In the shadows IL
was still obscure. =
es' i-cnoN.' Browning remarked
girl lives" '''
'on " sighed Hansomv. and tho
way In which he ssaid the ono word
spoke volumes Suspicion had now
become certainty. He who uttered Il