The Arvada enterprise., 1914-02-26

bdAi NhS bii, SoppoS
ing there were other orders. orders
from higher authority. appointing
you to duty here?"
1T would not make any difference"
You don't mean you would go in
spite OF them?" cried the girl in sud
den alarm.
Thorne looked 1t her gravely and
nodded his head.
But II 1t were proved that your first
orders were a mistake"
She stretched out her hand toward
him. which Thorne clasped closely
again
But it wasn't a mistake. and ]
must 60" he said slowly. rising to his
feet once more. but still holding her
hand
rs 1t something dangerous" asked
the girl apprehensively.
"Oh, we'll. enough to make 1t 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 | ask
you again about your orders. | must
know"
But why?" asked Thorne curiously.
No matter, tell me-"
81 can't do that. wish could" he
answered with a slight sigh.
You needn't" said the girl tri-
umphantly; 81 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 is almost certain.
They will sacrifice your life, because
they know you are fearless and will
do anything. There is 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-thats 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 it close
against him.
No said the man at last, by the
exercise of the most iron self-controI
and repression, you shall not have
this against me. too"
Edith drew closer to him. leaving
her hand in his as she placed her other
on his shoulder. She thought she knew
what he would have said. And love
gave her courage. The frankness of
war was in the air. If this man left
her now. she might never see him
again. She was woman, but she
could not let him go without an effort
Against you! What against you?
What do you mean?" she asked softly.
The witchery of the hour was upon
him, too, and the sweetness of her
presence. He knew he had but to
speak to receive his answer, to sum
mon the fortress and receive the sur
render. Her eyes dropped before his
passionately searching look. her color
came and went. her bosom rose and
fell She thought he must certainly
hear the wild beating of her heart He
pressed her hands closely to his breast
for a moment. but quickly pulled him.
self together again.
81 must co. he said hoarsely; my
business is-elsewhere. | ought nev,
er to have seen you or spoken to you
but / had to come to this house and
you were here. and how could ! helt
it? OH couldn't for my whole-it's
only you in this" He stopped and
thrust her hands away from him
blindly and turned away. As there was
a God above him he would not do It.
Your MOTHER would like to say
goodbye to her"
NO, you are not going" cried the
girl desperately, playing her last card
Listen, they need you in Richmond;
the president told me so himself
your orders are to stay here. You are
to be given special commission on
the war department telegraph service
and you"
mo, no, won't take tt can't take
1t, Miss Varney."
said the girl with winning sweetness.
and again she put out her hands to
him.
1T is for you that will do nothing
OF the kind" he answered quickly; "ir
you ever think of me again after
well, when | am gone. remember that
refused"
But you can't refuse: II is the pres
ident's desire. it is his order. you have
got to obey. Wait moment. | left
1t upstairs. | will fetch It for you and
you will see"
She turned toward the door.
No" said Thorne, don't get IL. I
won't look at it"
But you must see what It is. II
puts you at the head OF everything.
You have entire control When YOU
see It know you will accept it. Please
wait"
NO, Miss Varney, | can't"
"Oh, yes, you can" cried Edith. who