The Washington times., 1910-06-16

AFTER that bitter hour or selI-coIH-
mGnion. when her lovers abandonment
Of her had been borne home to her. she
had awakened to stern resolution. she
would get well that she might leave the
hospital and go out Of his life. Since he
had deserted her he need not expect to
find her on that problematical return OF
his.
She would bend all her energies TO re-
cover her Bodily vigor. There was no
use wasting any time on her heart.
That was dead, and a dead heart such
as hers admitted Of no resurrection.
She was a very energetic woman ca oc-
casion, and she amazed the doctor by
the rapidity of her recovery.
She had not yet left the room. but she
would soon be ready for departure She
sat by the window wondering what
would be ner destination, and what
would happen 10 her out in the world
which looked bright and fair 10 her
and which she had always regarded
smilingly until the disasters Of the last
fortnight
She was dressed in some comfortable
garments which had been fashioned Tor
her by the sergeants VIE VINO nao De
come her faithful and devoted adherenL-
Her hair had been cut short during her
illness, and what was left clunG IN
bright curle about her neau, an IN
familiar fashion then, but one douDly
picturesque and beautiful for that rea-
son
A faint touch OF color had come back
10 her cheeks, and all her former beauty,
softened, chastened by sorrow and SUI
fering, but more striking than ever
surrounded her.
She had not been left alone since the
first day she could get up The heuten-
ant had called upon her several tunes
and endeavOred 10 smlrk his way INTO
her good graCeS. Major Weggdrd5 an
officer who had risen from the humblest
walk, and who lacked the instincts and
habits Of his present station, mad also
made love TO her.
Totally without experience and think
ing and caring nothing for men, all her
affections following that one man who
had gone away. she had not realized the
signifcance Of these and other similar
attentions from the lieutenant, the major
commanding and some Of the other Of
fICers Of the camp.
From the window IN the hospital she
had a view Of the parade.
She was listlessly looking out without
thinking Of what she saw vixen she be-
came aware that the stout, beeiy nSUIe
OF the major. reSplendeut lp fun reSl-
meutals-his habit usually was some
what untidy Oue-was coming toward the
hospital a moment after the door was
opened and he stalked in, removed nus
hat. smiled at her. and without ask
ing her permis5iOu-indeed, why should
he stand upon ceremony with woman
SO circumstanced2- drew a chair up TO
hers and sat down. His chair was so
close 10 her own that Susan looked at
him in Amusement. which was greatly
increased when he reached over and
took her hand
She was positively too astonished to
struggle.
MY dear, he began. with a leer Of
gross familiarity. 1.-The doctor says you re
about ready 10 leave, and ''--
VIII you let go my hand, sirE' she
cried as soon as she could get her breath
"Of course not" said the major
Why should I? I hope 70 hold 1t long
er and more tenderly later on.
After wat she had gone through Su-
san was still terribly weak. She strug-
gled family TO draw her hand away, but
without success.
Please. | beg OF YOU" she began. re
lease my hand.
Never said the major CALAMITY
"a gentleman never lets 20 Of lady 8
hand once mes got it,
what do you know about the actions
OF a gentleman flashed the girl. If
you do not instantly let 60 OF my hand
and move your chair, III scream for
help If if kills me-
well. YOU can scream as loud as you
want" was the reply Everybody
around here is under my Orders-includ-
AlLE 40A
DO your orders give you the right 10
insult helpless prisOners-wOmen2 -
They give me the right to do what
ever 7 please continued the other.
Sulkily.
He still retained his hold on her hand.
After the first moment or two Susan
had realized the futillty Of the struggle,
but she was a resOurcefUl young wOm-
an. Her neckerchiCf was held together
by a common brooch which Mrs Fish
lP Tho nurse had 1ppr her
Before the major could realized what
she was doing she had unpinned Il
quietly with her free hand. and the in
slant she got IL loose she jabbed the
point into the back of his own coarse
red hand With a howl Of pain he
dropped her hand Then he rose and
stood over her wrathfully, while she
coOlly replaced the pin.
"ThisH get you into trouble, miss.
came here on a pacific errand, 20 treat
YOU nicely" he began, but as he pro-
cceded further he realized that this was
no way TO accomplish the end he had