The Lamar register., 1913-02-19


thing. and that is that It II very
Richmond now"
"Oh, but you don't know"
yes, do"
We'll, what do you knowf" asked
Thorne curiously.
Whatever you were going to say.
Most likely 1t was that there's some
thing or other don't know about, but
I do know this. You were sent here
to recover. and you haven't nearly had
enough time for 1t yet"
81 do look as II a high wind would
blow me away. don't II" he laughed.
mo matter how you look. you ought
not to go. You are just making fun Of
1t, as you always do Of everything. No
matter. you can have all the fun you
like, but the whole thing is settled:
you are not going away at all. you are
going to stay here" she concluded
with most decided but winning empha-
sis.
oh, I'm not goingi Well, that is
quite a change for me-" said Thorne
composedly. He laid his hat back on
the table and came closer to Edith
Perhaps you wouldn't mind telling
me what am going to do"
Il don't mind at all. and 1t = thls.
You So, havs BEEN 10 sss-I am a.
most afraid to tell you"
/. Don't tell me-" said the man with
sudden seriousness. laying aside I'll
his pleasantly. because 1t can't be
true. have my orders, and I am leav-
Ing tonight"
"where-to Pstersburg-to the
frontr
We can't always tell where orders
Will take u.s." he said evasively, again
sitting down beside her on the lounge.
He could scarcely tear himself away
from her. from the delicious yet pain
full emotion aroused by her presence
He ought to have gone long since. yet
he was with her. as he supposed. for
the last time. Surely he might In
dulge himself q little. He loved her
30 desperately. 30 hopelessly.
But listen" said the girl; "suppos-
ing there were other orders, orders
from q higher authority. appointing
you to duty heref"
You don't mean you would go in
spite Of themT cried the girl In sud
den alarm.
Thorne looked at her gravely and
nodded his head.
But If 1t were proved that your first
orders were mistake"
She stretched out her hand toward
him, which Thorne clasped closely
again.
But 1t wasn't a mistake, and
must CO." he said slowly, rising to his
feet once more, but still holding her
hand.
us it something dangerous?" asked
the girl apprehensively.
"Oh. well. enough to make It inter
esting."
But Edith did not respond to his
well simulated humor She drew her
hand away. and Thorne fancied with
leap Of his heart that she did 1t
with reluctance. She began softly:
Don't be angry with me II I ask
you again about your orders. / must
know"
But whyf" asked Thorne curiously.
NO mdtt6r, tell me-.
Il can't do that. wish could" he
answered with slight sigh.
You needn't" said the girl tri-
umphantly; Il do know"
The captain started and, in spite
Of his control. look of dismay and
apprehension fitted across his face as
the girl went on:
They're sending you on some mis-
sion where death ia almost certain.
They will sacrifice your life, because
they know you are fearless and will
do anything. There is a chance for
you to stay here, and be Just as much
use. and am going to ask you to take
It. It isn't your life alone-there are
others to think of and-that's why |
ask you. 1t may not sound WELL per-
haps / ought not-you won't under
stand but you"
As she spoke she rose to her feet.
confronting him. while she impulsive-
ly thrust out her hand toward him
again. Once more he took that be.
loved hand in his own. holding 1t close
against him. Burning avowals sprang
to his lips, and the color famed into
her face as she stood motionless and
expectant, looking at him. She had
gone as far as modest woman might.
Now the initiative was his She could
only walt