The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-07-09

him. though never till this day had she
admitted it to herself
The porter came round to make up
the berths. They moved to an adjoin-
ing section aud forgot the passing
hours forgot everything except each
others presence. More than one pas
senger watched them curiOusly and
wondered what fascinating topic held
them in such rapt interest. The last
lingerer from the smoking section had
long since retired before they took any
cognizsnce of time. At last he looked
at his watch absently. He was star
tied to see that it was past o'clock.
at must be late" she said. noting
for the first time that the lights were
low and that they were alone.
mo; it's early" he replied unblush-
ingly. Don't go yet. You'll have
plenty of time to sleep after | leave
you"
She stayed, against her judgment.
She told herself that she would leave
him in a few minutes. He had not
mentioned love. but she felt the strong
undertow of 1t through all his turbid
speech. When at last she broke away
from him it was to lie the night
through in vivid wakefulness.
For Ralston the night was filed with
the stress Of emotion. The one wom-
section across the aisle, and he had to
face the fact that he was bound to an
other. Two years before, in that utter
loneliness of soul that comes to men in
exile, he had met Major Remington's s
daughter and had asked her to marry
him She had neither accepted nor
rejected him, but when she left for
the States three months later there
had been an understanding between
them that he was to seek her out and
renew his suit when he came back to
America He had been detained in the
Philippines longer than he had expect
ed, but he was now on his way to her
They were both up early from q
sleepless night. and they drifted to-
gether again inevitably.
Presently they were climbing the
mountain side, with two engines il
front and another behind to push. The
woman could see the burning misery
in the mans eyes, and from him to he
there passed the subtle sense of som'
alien force which divided them.
"You are not married?" she askeC
him suddenly.
mo, | am not-married."
"You mean that
A reckless bitterness welled up II
him. "You may congratulate me.
am probably on my way to be mar
ried."
Her level eyes fixed him. They wer
both very white.
Probably, you say. Don't yo
know?"
"There was a provisional engage
j, ment 1t was understood that l wa
q to offer myself again when l returned.
"And you do not love her? So muc
!. your tone implies"
81 never loved but the one woman
have played at love with others"
She shivered. ut is horrible. Yo
must not do that. You have no right!
;, Sometimes man has signed ava
:. his right to do right" he answere
:. steadily 81 thought it all out Las
~ night, and shall live up to the lette
10 of my agreement"
A brakeman passed through the ca
calling: Next stop La Junta! Chang
cars for Pueblo. Denver, Colorad
y" Springs and all points north Of there!
The train slackened speed, jarre
y down to a halt. He rose and locke
e down on her with dumb, anguishe
eyes. He did not kiss her; he did NJ
even touch her hand.
- whatever happens, l want you
remember that I never loved but IL
e one woman"
NJ She answered. 81 shall remembe
Robert"
10 Ralston swung from the car into
collision with Lieutenant Hasbroul
of the Seventh infantry.
e. 81 say, my man. be little careful
= well, where did you drop from. RAJ
y ton?
20 wasn't it at Samar l saw you la:
=, or was it Talaos? You were doing
~ picture of a burning Gugu villag
70 Hang it. but I'm glad to see 70
Where you bound for-Denver? ju
'e came down from there-been attendil
Nan Remingtons wedding memb
her?--second daughter of Major Rel
n n ington of Bells brigade"
=, Ralston's pulse hammered. He gri
=, ped the lieutenant's arm with clut
in like steel. Whose wedding did y,
sayY' he demanded.
Hasbrough eyed him curiously, b
~ charitably laid bis excitement to
s., lingering touch Of the island few
:; >. Quietly he extricated his arm. mi
Nan Remington-I say, Ralston. y
needn't grow so enthusiastic. I'm u
:, the groom"
~ you're sure2i
:. "Sure I'm not the groom?" laugh
a. the lad.
~ mo; sure of the wedding. Their,
w no possibility of any mistake.
Aha