El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-04-20
The HeraId's
Daily Shsrt Stsry


sob. at is something quite differ
ent-something that
s What on earth is the natter"
asked, seeing that she was in genuine
distress rs there any real trouble
Cousin Bessie? What is it?"
I did not mean to let you know to-
night" she faltered, pushing the even
ing papers towards me across the
table; but seeing you so happy and
triumphant made the contrast all the
more dreadful, and lit upset me-
Is there some news in the paper
that you-that L"
My own words died into silence as
her hand pointed to column of the
paper headed in large letters Frontier
Campaign" and for one moment my
heart stood still.
AS picked up the paper and glanc-
ed at what followed the big headlines
1 read these words:
The British casualties were as fol-
lows:
Wounded-since dead, Douglas Fra
SER" I looked stupidity across the
table at Cousin Bessie; a large tear
drop was coursing down her long, thin
nose; it dropped upon the table, and
1 laughed. The sound of my own
laughter seemed to make something
II,
dizziness seized me, so that 1 gripped
at the table to steady myself.
Douglas Fraser = wounded = since
dead. Douglas could not be deadl
And all I could hear was the hurt note
in his voice as he said:
God grant that when you get 1t,
your hearts desire may not bring
leanness into your soul"
My hearts desire! 1 had got it to-
night, and now
L think I'll go to bed said. mo.
I don't want any supper 1 couldn't
eat my supper. And my flowers-oh,
they can just stop here. II don't
want to talk any more
When Cousin Bessie kissed me with
extra warmth, had a sudden hideous
longing to strike her face that was
wet with the tears she was shedding
for Douglas. And I had not shed one
not one-for my old friend who had
told me that 1 was shutting the door
on my woman's kingdom. When I
was alone in my rooms, 1 stood there
looking at my own image in the long
glass and wondering what Douglas
would have said if he could have seen
me now.
But Douglas would never see me
again. Something climbed into my
throat and choked me- but I could not
cry My eyes Were dry and sore; they
aehed because of the tears that would
not come. and the ache at my heart
was almost more than I could bear
Douglas. Douglas. Douglasr' 1t
broke from me, that exceeding bitter
cry, and my hands went out to the
empty air in impotent passionate
yearning. If 1 might see his face
again-the fair. strong face which had
looked a me so sadly. so sternly on the
downs that day.
Douglass words were true, leanness
lad come into my soul with the full
'ilment of my hearts desire.
"Oh yes. it is perfectly true: one
If those extraordinary things that
ioes happen sometimes even in real
ife. Not that it is all unmitigated joy
rhe poor fellow is hopelessly handi
'apped."
In what way?"
Lost his right arm, you know.
Goodbye to the Service. Goodbye to
lis career; and he was such a thor
ugh good soldier, too"
The speakers regretful accents con- |
inced me that he must be speaking of |
personal friend. and 1 craned my |
lead little forward to catch a |
limpse of his face. He was a tall, |
'ood-looking man, talking earnestly |
o the woman by his side, and they
occupied seats Immediately in front Of
he at big At Home where private
heatricals were being acted for some
harity.
He threw all his heart into his
the voice of the woman in
ront of me struck across mythoughts.
Yes; he gave himself unreservedly |
his career when girl he cared for
efused him. l never knew who she
Tas, but l can vouch for it she was a
ooL The woman who could refuse !
Douglas Fraser deserves no better /
ame"
l leant forward impulsively.
Excuse me-" said, wondering if to
theirs my voice sounded as strained
nd hoarse as it did to myself. ARE
GU saying that Douglas Fraser is
live?" The man who had spoken
lrned to me courteously Perhaps he |
aw something more than mere Curl
SHY In my eyes, for he said gently:
Yes, Douglas Fraser is alive. The
eport OF his death was a mistake. But
e is manned for life poor chap; he
is lost his right arm. I saw him yes
rday in his old rooms in town"
/ am very sorry. I used to know
i'm"
The man in front of me bowed and
lrned away, whilst I sat there like a
erson in a dream. Douglas was not
cad. But he was manned for life; he
ad lost his right arm He had put
lat right hand of his on my shoulder
hen we stood and talked upon the
owns.
1 drove to Douglass lodgings, and
caring he was at home. / told the
ndlady 1 was an old friend of his,
Id that would go in and see him un-
lnounced.
When his voice said Come in" to
y knock, my heart gave one great |
at and then seemed to stop alto
ther, and only when he repeated his ]
'ome in" little impatiently did 1
IN the handle and enter He was
anding alone by the window. and
hen I say his down-bent head. when
saw the empty coat-sleeve that hung
his right side, my eyes grew dim
it'll tears. But after he had turned |
my entrance he only .tood |