The daily tribune., 1909-02-16
THE FLYING
HUSBAND

ChpC lcn6rQ sumner nad Ie1t NoW
York ~ first lieutenant, and but two
months married. He had wooed and
won pretty Marjorie Van Orst of Har-
lom during his West Point days, and
was about to make her his wife when
the sudden opening Of hostilitles be-
tween the United States and Spain
tore him from his sweetheart and sent
him to Cuba, q second Lieutenant Of
volunteers.
But the fall following that men,
orable spring brought him safely back
again. He returned to the arms Of
his little wife-to-be, a hero, brown
from the heat of battle, and on his
shoulder-straps the proud and ad-
vanced distinction of a golden star.
How sweetly happy. then. had be-
gun their honeymoon! The earth
with Its autumn gold was dross com.
pared to the JOY of their love-a love
rooted in the hearts Of youth, strength
and hope.
So. when opportunity and appoint
mont, like two eaptor knights, . sec
ond time tore from Marjorie her val.
liant lord. 1t was with many tears and
misgivings that she released him from
this paradise to brave disease and
treachery in the far east.
But now he was coming home for
good. Coming homo after they had
braved 1t out, two long years apart
coming back . hero, captain and
her lover.
As Marjorie read his letter her
heart leaped with Joy. He would fol-
low in two weeks on the transport
Grant, and II she would write him. in
care Of the Preside at San Francisco,
he would get a letter Immediately
upon his arrival there.
Marjorie lost no time.
Ny Own Darling Dick,
oh, you don't know how happy Am to-
day. Your letter has sent me wild. and
I Just want to sit down and cry for Joy,
ny heart IL 30 full OF happiness.
Hurry to me. dearest; waste no time.
To thinkl Only two moro weeks! An,
like two more years. l want you to hur-
~. The fastest train will be too slow.
Oh. how I wish there were some quicker
way. Wire me from Frisco. and every
day along the line. want you to.
want to know that you are getting near
Or. Fly. Dick. HyI I'll be At the train to
meet you. I shall count tho hours till
thsn-so ny-ny to the loving arms Of
Your longing. waiting wife.
MARJORIE.
Tho last day of two long. miserable
weeks was Just dragging TO Its close.
a. Marjorie sighed heavily in her Har.
lem apartment.
Then three more days passed. then
four, when her former hours Of hope
and expectancy grew slowly into those
Of terrible doubt and fear. A the
hour hand crept YEARLY around toward
II O'Clock, noon, on the fifth day, Mar.
joris's doubts became niaxlsl WITH
feelings Of aSony and despair.
She ia not dare allow herself to think,
now. It couldn't be possible that Fate
would BE- 70 cruel ~ to take him from
her BY some dreadful kccident after
they had braved It out 30 long. and
when he was actually coming home.
The thought was terrible enough, that,
though . message should come now,
five or more days must slspss before
he could reach her.
How unutterably slowly dragged tho
hours that afternoon. Dusk came. the
streets began to blaze with lights,
when Q ring from the door-bs
brought her tremblingly to her feet.
A Western Union chap delivered his
little yellow envelope, and Marjorie
soon found herself nervously, almost
fsarfully. tearing her fingers into the
message.
San Francisco. 11:so q n. Dec. Z, iSel
Ars- Richard Sumner,
+B Manhattan Ave-, New York
Anchored last night: delayed. Letter In
hand on to-day. Love.
DICK.
Further fear OF accident now left
Mar1orie's mind. For awhile she felt
contented. but she dreaded tho few
lonely days to follow. and wondered
many times what delayed the Grant
She shuddered as she thought Of how
many times Dick may have escaped
death from storms.
However. her heart felt lighter, she
partially enjoyed her evening meal,
and succeeded in becoming quite
cheerful.
The clock had barely told eight,
when, to her surprise. another tele-
gram was thrust into her hand. All
tho hope and spirit Of her being
seemed to be torn terribly from her at
one fell swoop.
What else but calamity could II
bring 10 soonf
Ogden, 3:os D. N. DscL 1 iSo1.
Mrs. Richard Sumner.
xs Manhattan Ave. New York.
Am nyinS to you. Be chssrfuL VIII
soon b homo. DICK.
Marjorie stood stupened. 30 many
nusslInR thoushts began To vhirl