Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-27
Observation-Disclosures
1.-THE NATIVE BORNE
: L A. r. WYLE =
= oppyrakh4, lsHe, fhe Bobbs-M Merlin Co. -
L A. R. wYLE
CHAPTER VIII.
Face to Face.


well. what news, Capt. Nicholson?
she said. you can say 1t outright. l
am not afraid" She turned as she spoke
and looked around her. Are your nerves
strong enough. Mrs. Berry? II not, pull
yourself together. We can only die once
and there's nothing to whimper about
Mrs. Berry, who sat covering in the
corner Of the sofa. lifted her gray face.
The clumsy lips tried to move. but no
sound came forth except an inarticulate
murmur. Mrs. Carmichael shrugged her
shoulders as one does at an irresponsible
child. ''Well?" she repeated.
Nicholson came farther into the room,
SO that he stood within the circle Of lamp
light. In rapid glance he had taken In
the occupants, and their attitudes were
to him what symptoms are to quick
sighted doctor. Mrs. Cary sat In an arm
chair, bolt upright. her hands clasped be-
fore her, her small eyes fixed straight
ahead. Beatrice stood at her side, almost
in an attitude OF protection, pale, but
AS he had entered Lois had been prepar-
ing some food at a side table. She now
came closer. and her dark, serious eyes
rested penetratingly on his face. so that
he felt that, even II he had thought OF
deceiving them as to the true state of
affairs, It would have been In vain. so far
as she was concerned. AS for Mrs Car
michael. she stood In her favorite position
her arms akimbo, her chin tilted at an
angle which lent her whole expression
something bulldog and defiant. The at
mosphere Of danger with which the little
drawing room was filled acted differently
upon each temperament. but upon this
typical soldiers wife the effect was TO
arouse in her all the primitive passions.
the fighting instinct, the love OF struggle
against heavy odds.
''Comer she exclaimed, as Nicholson
still remained silent. DO you think, be-
cause one or two Of US are bit 'nervy,
that we are really afraid? Not in the
least For my part, II rye got to die,
shall take good care that one or two OF
those black heather come with me-" She
flung open q drawer. and taking out a re-
volver thumped it theoretically upon the
table. Now then, captain!
my dear lady, l never doubted your
courage" Nicholson answered. 'and my
i's spoke e with Nth Nehai Singh" He saw Bea-
trice start and glance in his direction
with an expression Of sudden suspense in
option. There could be no idea Of COM
ing to terms. At the same time 1t seems
that he has no desire for general mas
sacre. His sole ambition Is to drive US
midnight to escape-those who want to. !"
Does he think we are going to be got
rid of as easily as that?" Mrs. Carmichael
broke In. do you think that I have for
gotten those months when George was
fighting around Marut? Do you think l
have forgotten all the fine fellows that
laid down their lives to take the place
and put an end to the disgrace OF being
held at bay by q horde Of heather? And
now we are to run away like. sheep? Not
IL George listens to me-!
"You need have no fear Nicholson an
swered. mot a man Of us is going to
leave Marut alive But you ladies'"
"Well. what about US 'ladies'?" in a
tone as though the description had been
an insult.
1T have just told you-Nehal Singh gives
you till midnight to get away"
Mrs. Carmichael snapped her lips to-
gether in a straight, incorporating line.
Every much obliged to his highness,
she said.
Nicholson could not repress a smile at
this description Of her husband. but there
was something more than amusement In
his frightening eyes.
"Thank you, Mrs. Carmichael, I knew
that would be your answer. But 1t is my
duty to ask the others-to give them their
choice. There Is little hope for those who
remain" He could not bring himself to
turn to the covering figure upon the sofa
There is a shame which is not personal.
and he was passionately ashamed for that
qufvering bulk Of fear, for that greedy
hope which he felt rather than saw creep
up into the livid face. He looked at Lois
thusiasm which spoke out of every line Of
the small dark face transformed her from
saddened woman back to the girl who
never played losing game but she won
III shan't be bother. wish to stay
with you ALL" she said. with studied sim
plicity. But her tone was eloquent.
"A brave comrade Is always welcome"
he answered. your husband" He
hesitated. and then concluded, in q low
ssVny,r hnOhQnd offered f0 with
you. He il waiting outside with the
horses" He avoided her eyes, but her
tone betrayed to him the pain that he had
unwtllingly caused her.
please tell Archie that will not let
him sacrifice himself for me. know that
he will wish to remain. and I. too. wish
to remain. We are all English. and who
knows how little or how much we are all
to blame for this disaster? We must
share It together"
Something like sigh Of relief passed
Nicholson's compressed lips, but he said
nothing. In duty bound, he dared> not
offer encouragement nor plead for the full
fillment of his hopes. With mixed feel
he now was of all the details Of her con-
duct, he could not but lay at her door the
consequences Of a frivolous and heartless
action. But her pitiless self-denunciation
at the meeting, her present quiet and dig
nifty, subdued in him all scorn and anger.
Courage saluted courage as their eyes
met.
And you. Miss Cary?''
Lois has already answered for me-"
she said. III there was any justice in this
| world, 1 alone should suffer; but one can
| never suffer alone, 1t seems. The least I
can do is to stand by you all" Her tone
| revealed all the remorse and suffering OF
| which human nature Is capable. 1t stirred
| in him q sudden, impulsive pity. He
| crossed the room with Outstretched hand.
| You are a brave woman.
| She smiled bitterly, but the color rushed
to her cheeks.
Thank you. You have paid me the only
! compliment for which care. But 1t is a
| small thing to take ones punishment
without crying. After all. death isn't
the worst"
She saw him glance doubtfully at her
mother. and she bent down to the frozen
face, speaking now gently but distinctly,
as though to q suffering invalid whose
ears had been dulled with pain.
| Mother, what do you want to do?
There Is still time-and Capt. Nicholson
| says there is no hope for those who re-
MAN, You must not be Influenced by my
| choice"
Mrs Cary looked up into her daughters
face with q perplexed frown. She seemed
scarcely to have heard what had been
said to her, not even to have been aware
/ that any escape was possible. She felt
| for Beatrice's hand. and taking 1t in her
own, stroked it with pathetic helplessness.
"A pad mother" she said, absently.
We'll. perhaps I was Yes; no doubt
and you think so. too, though you never
said anything. It was always position
| wanted. Now it's all gone. What is it,,
dear? Why do you look at me like that
| I haven't said what / oughtn't, have II"
mo. no. Only Capt Nicholson wants