The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-06-09
CHAPTER TWENTr.N'Ns.
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mo" he said slowly. but added IN
the same breath, mot yet; lot he
rotsS the quick change that had come
over her, and knew that she was us
appointed In him. Aha air,
.Je were a man" began the gHi,
and then stopped abruptly, aoasheu
and difident. realizing TO what her
words would lead.
And what would you do II you
w.re a man, Marian, surely you
wonldn't want to be soldier! he
said. smiling down at her.
YES, | should want TO be soi-
A,er, What can be more noble than
TO fight for ones country?
Stephen gulped down somethihs
that rose in his throat; his breast
seemed to swell TO bursting with au'i
anSuish. that Il should be required Oh
him to play 80 mean part III 'nis
crisis. man,
why. Marian. | believe you wanl
me TO enlist" he said at last IN MIS-
cradle perplexity. 90
"No. | don't, l haven't any right 10
want YOU to do anything" she gave
her head a scornful little toss. re,'
hama YOU wouldn't like TO be SOL
der" >.
You have no right to sneer at me.
said the boy. In tone OF oi''o' AZ
jury. sa- s,,,,.
ness: his one thought was thAt 'n,'
was the way all women wouio ieei. on
cept only his Aunt virginia "uv
seemed so resolutely opposed 10 ~
that his heart hungered Tor. hI1
father and his uncle had been or.se
men. Every one would expect somo
thing of him: and here he was aoom
ed to stay ut home and read law. neso
law. why, he would be the iausnins
stock Of the town. In his quick unres
soning vanity he saw himself dls
xraced, an object OF ridtcule; now WA
he to hold his head? He turned un
steadily to the girl at his SIDE, forsot
ful of the momentary hurt she nav
given him. ,.,
III l go. Marian shall you forse'
met" he asked.
Are you going, are you really 60
ing?" she cried. resting her hand On
his arm, and glancing into MS lace
with smiling eyes.
you'll not forget me- he repeated
we've been such good friends. ! can
z bear to think that you might De soie
TO forget me; yet II | go he Gov
cred the hand she had rested on MS
arm with his own.
4 "Of course shan't forget you,
stephen" she murmured. why, now
absurd OF you to speak Of that! !
shall always remember you, | never
forget my friends, never!
when l come back may ! tell you
something I've wanted TO tell you Ior
ever so long-may IL?
She half hid her face on bis arm
the pretty face that was making him
: traitor to his duty. A new ana
strange emotion mastered him. a. ne
felt her tremble at his side, the pres
a surc of her little hands on bis arm,
her cheek against his sleeve: he drew
\ her closer TO him, and upward, until
her flushed face was on level with
his own, and then for the first time
he kissed her-not once. but again,
and again.
You know what | mean. Marian
be whispered rapturously. I'm not
Going TO wait to tell you that love
you. I'm going to tell you now before
I TO-" for he was going. he could not
stay to be held In contempt by her.
Presently they retraced their steps,
the boy still drunk with ecstasy. The
\ band was playing now; McKeever had
4 ended his speech. Marians eyes
sparkled ut the sound, her little feet
kept eager step.
isn't II glorious." she murmured.
clinging to him. Who wouldn't be .
soldier that could be-. ! ain glad you
are going. Stephen l was almost afraid
i TO ask you at first
But Stephen did not answer her Joy
n the pride OF his asserted manhood
left him dumb; he had broken free OF
the dull ofive, with its drab walls and
dusty walnut woodwork, and Uttered
desk, its bookcases with their yellow
cAlfskin volumes: his future was
to be wholly given over to hero
ism and glory. He was sure that he
4 had made q choice that none, not even
his Aunt Virginia or Benson, when
they fully understood how he felt
about II, would censure him for hav.
X lns made.
The drums and fifes ratified on mer
4 rily, the lights In the court house win
dows flashed out over the noisy mob
{ on the square. Stephen found place
Tor Marian on the tavern steps where
y she could see all that was passing
McKeever's company. with McKeev-
\ or 1t its head. was making the circuit
Of the square. Here and there as II
moved along. man would break
through the crowd and fall In line, TO
he greeted by burst Of frantic cheer
Ing.
The company crossed the north side
OF the square. then the west and south
!, sides, now II was approaching the east
4 side and the tavern where Marian,
Z clihging to the boys arm, stood flush.
cd and eager; but as the marching
men came opposite them. she uttered
4 q little smothered cry OF dismay. for
Stephen had gently released himself
from her hold.
An instant later and he had vanish
ed IN the crowd, and when she saw
him again he was one OF the march
ing men.
CHAPTER THlRTY-ONE.
I've enlisted said Stephen to Ben