The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-13

Il
and thence to the absorbing topic OF
clothes.
1t was not until two days after thus
conversation that the little party sri
forth to go to FL Paso. They started
Just at daybreak.
All the way to FL Paso Sylyia's ears
were eagerly alert for the sound Of
warfare. She did not dare voice her
fears, but they were very large fears
and very agonizing ones too
She had been proud indeed that her
future husband should be an officer
In a fine regiment. She thought the
sight Of Timothy In his uniform the
dearest thing In the world. and the
very thought of the military wedding
that would mark her marriage to the
handsome young man sent her into &c
stasies of delight
This was the other side of the war
picture. Here We the beat of the
drum calling to arms. Real powder and
shot had been issued to the men, and
real shot would be fred. In fancy she
Jaw her beloved killed at the head of
his column. always leading, always
waving his sword and shouting encour-
agement to his weary men.
They came upon the new city, the
tented one, all of sudden and looked
with awe upon the results of deep
thinking war department, capable
executive staff and a well trained ar.
my. A day or two ago and there had
been cactus plain; today there were n
field of snowy tents and multitude
OF orderly men awaiting the summons
to-what?
To Sylvia Moore war meant desper-
ate lighting. the sudden death of Tim
othy Robson and for herself lifelong
separation from the man she loved.
When they We're In the city and saw
the flying flags and heard the outpour-
ing of martial music the heart of Syl-
via beat quickly, and she felt more
like crying than ever. If she could
only see Timothy for one moment she
was sure she could persuade him to
stay with her.
Presently through Mr.. Lakes infu-
efIce 1t was made possible for Sylvia
to meet her lover. and in the first joy
full moment the strangeness of the
meeting was quite forgotten. At last
Timothy pushed back his cap and said:
"I'll bet you were surprised to hear
was on the way. eh. Sylvan
YES" said Sylvia. suddenly very
quiet. Then. after pause she said in
q low tone. Timothy. l wonder II
you care enough for me to do a big
thing for me-a great thing-the great
est thing you ever did In your life"
"Of course" said Timothy prompt
ly. My lifes yours, you know. dear
est"
Then stay with me. Do not go into
active battle" Sylvia's voice was
strained with anxiety. and her eyes
were fixed eagerly on her lovers face
She saw the mask of reserve that
dropped over his surprised face-a re-
serve that seemed to place her and
her love upon some distant pinnacle of
space leaving him here In the active
present with the duty that lay before
him. She saw ali this and realized
what was passing through his mind.
and yet. with sehshness which had
not yet been overcome by n nobler
impulse. she set herself to exact from
him proof of his love for her.
"Shall l desertY' he asked. with n
cold smile.
"Oh. no! Tell them you are i'll. Per
haps l might explain. You know we
are to be married in the fail. Tim
othy"
81 know. dear," he said steadily,
that this Is the hardest moment of
your life. I'll think over what you
said, and If at the end of another day
you still feel the same way about 1t
perhaps something can be done"
.'Oh, Jimmy. you are an angel-nnd
l was so afraid you'd get killed.? half
sobbed Sylvia.
Timothy Robeson smiled rather mys
teriously and turned away. perhaps
III see you later. dear. If MIR Lake
will come around after parade. Times
up now"
They spent the day In the city nno
as the afternoon advanced they once
more approached the parade ground
where they expected TO meet Timothy
Robeson again. Mr. Lake and Annie
stopped to view some passing soldiery
and Sylvia lind paused TO find herself
the onlooker at curious little scene.
A handsome though rather dissipnt
I'd looking young man In military
khaki lounged against tree talking
to n very indignant young woman.
"Ah. what's the useY' he was mutter- /
Ing sullenly, when his companion in F
terruptcd him with blazing eyes and I
angry voice.
Matt Menrs. you're coward. that's /
what you nre!" she cried. Il wouldn't .
give a snap of my finger for man
that didn't put his country before the
girl he loved"
"Oh. pshnw. Laura" began the
young man weakly, when the girl sud
denly walked away from him with
her pretty chin In the mir
Her words rang in Sylvin's ears as
they went to meet Timothy Before
her was the city of tents, busy
with the hum of preparation. the hut
ter of myriads of tiags-hrr own red.
white and blue emblems and ch0k
ing feeling came into her throat. She
knew now that never. never would
she have Timothy belong to anything
ovcont this olOriOuS company. organ.