Evening journal., 1910-06-25
TIMIDITY OFLOVE
A Veteran Of the Civil War
Olyals Before a Woman
BY ARNOLD BROWN
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

reception was 10 De neld the evening
before departure In the arInory. at
which mothers. wives. sisters and
sweethearts could bid adieu to their
loved ones. some Of whom might not
return. During the afternoon previous
to the reception young Norman Eyer
ton. second lieutenant of G company,
sat at desk in his comfortable home
writing. This is what be wrote:
l have delayed to speak. fearing TO be
repelled. but now at the last moment 4
must tell you that 1 love you-love you
better than my life-everything bue my
duty. May ! hope II 1 return that 1 may
claim you for my wife? IL Yes" wear
one OF these flowers tonight at the recep-
tion.
The words. such as a boy would
write who realized into what be was
going were intended for Miss Mabel
Harding. even younger than himself.
They were written on a bit OF thin
paper. which he folded into a small
compass. and. taking up a bouquet
that lay beside him. he thrust his
missive into its center. covering it
with the flowers as II fearful the girl
would find It. Calling a servant. he di-
rected him TO carry the flowers TO their
destination and report to him that they
had been received by the young lady.
Then he walked the door till the report
had been made.
That night at the armory he watched
eagerly for the signal. Presently he
saw Miss Harding walking toward
him on the arm Of a man whom he
had feared as a rival. She wore no
flowers The young officer, like many
man in his first fight, quailed. He
left the hall and did not return to 1t.
Egerton proved the reverse in war
Of what he was in love. He returned
with an empty sleeve and coloners
commission. with brevet rank Of briga-
dier general. But he had no sooner
reached home than his lovers cow
ardice got the better of him. Sensi-
tive to a high degree. he dreaded meet
ing the girl who had refused him, his
dread being enhanced by the absence
Of his right arm. A mutilated man
nurses his misfortune, and it is doubt
full II any soldier is proud of the loss
Of a limb. The general rankled at
his manning. for he considered that Il
removed him further. If that could be.
from the woman he still loved. To es-
cape a meeting with her as soon as he
was mustered out of the service he
made a tour abroad But this only
deferred the meeting. and at last he
summoned courage and went back to
the city where they both lived.
On the street one day he saw her
coming. II be continued to advance
he would meet her face to face He
looked about him. as he had seen many
a man do on the field of battle. for
cover. An alley was near. II was a
narrow, mean looking lane, but he
dashed into II. IL led nowhere. and he
found himself IN a pocket aanked by
the rear of small shops. He stood
trembling till he knew that his enemy
must have passed. then skunk out OF
1t and pursued his way.
A few days later he received a fright
that took away his breath. 1t was an
invitation TO an evening function given
at Miss Harding's home. Fortunately
the date of the affair was some days
away. He resolved a dozen times to
regret to go. but. having time TO gel
up a little courage at the last moment
sent an acceptance. 1t had no sooner
been dispatched than he wished to re
call It. But It was too late.
On the appoirted date he got into
evening dress. pinned up his empty
sleeve. heaving a deep sigh as he die
so. and went TO the house. Half al
hour in the robing room was neces
sary to give him the requisite courage
to 20 below. The hosts were draw
up to receive their guests. TO Egertol
appearing like an opposing line OF bat
tie to a raw recruit. He approached
saluted and. seeing a look Of embar
rassment on Miss Harding's face. a
soon as the ceremony was over beat
precipitate retreat.
Later he was stalking about. won
dering II sufficient time would eve
pass to enable him TO depart with pre-
priety, when he felt a hand slipped o
his arm and. turning. saw the girl wh
had refused him,
General" she said. with her eye
on the door, why did you not com
to see me after your return from th
warp
"I-why-I went abroad"
"Then why not since your return
There was a warm hand on his lei
arm that impaired courage TO h
heart.
'q-didn't suppose-that you wishe
to see me-"
, "why notT
, There was a pause before the repl
: II came at last. do you rememb'
4 that / sent you a bouquet Of howe
E before the reception given the eve
= ing previous to our departureT
Il do.I
D .'And the scrap of paper in it?"
"The scrap OF paperT'
"Yes."
? She had led him into corner whe
no one but themselves was present
a "Wait here" she said.
{ Darling away, she ran upstairs al
d returned with a withered bouqu'
0 Diving into It. she withdrew his nc
- written six years before and. openi
3 1t, read for the FIRST time his messai
Then. taking all that was left Of
- rose, the stem, she inserted it in /
2. corsage.