The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1918-10-30

born in q mind attuned to the victory
of that bloody day; in normal mo-
monts he would never have enter
tanned it. Yet Major Howard had
been more impressed than he had adj
mitted to Mark The idea had
spread through the minds of the other
officers. There was never a Guard din
ner but Eleanor was solemnly toasted,
though she was not permitted to be
present, and somehow the child had
become symbol in the minds of these
plain men in business and professional
life who spent two weeks in camp
each year.
After the war Mark had gone to the
regulars; but he was still in touch
with the officers of the Seventeen, and
he knew that, if ever war came, he
could obtain an appointment to it.
81 am sure that my father will prove
to have been a brave soldier" said
Eleanor, clasping her hands eagerly.
"And sometimes" she continued, Il
think that there must have been a
great mystery about him."
"Why?" demanded Mark, startled.
Because of the man who watches
for me-
watches for you? 1t is imagina-
ton, Eleanor"
She shook her head. 1--WE seen him
three or four times" answered the
girl. HE waits at places that we pass
when we go out together. And he
watches me then, though he never at
tempts to speak to me-"
"And you've told Miss Harper?'
'NO, Uncle Mark. She would think
I was hysterical," answered the girl,
shrewdly.
Mark could see that, but he was
certain that it was hysteria, that the
idea had come to the child as the re-
suit of brooding over the mystery of
her parentage. The entrance of the
lady principal put an end to their con-
versation. Mark rose reluctantly. His
visit had been all too brief, and it
might be years before he saw the girl
again.
swell, Eleanor, this is au revoir,'
he said. Perhaps for years."
She looked at him in sudden alarm.
'You are not coming back before you
leave for the West, Uncle Mark?'' she
asked.
"They won't allow me the time. ]
have to go to Washington tomorrow,
and then back to Texas"
She returned no answer, but went
with him to the house door, and turned
and faced him there, pulling at the
lapels of his coat.
"Send me a new photograph, Cap
tain Mark" she said. I'm not going
to call you Uncle Mark any more"
San older one" asked Mark, laugh
ing, though he had a strange sinking
at his heart. This child epitomized
home to him, and he had been home.
less since boyhood.
"You must forgive me-" she said, q
little wistfully. Captain Mark,
there's something 1 want awfully TO
say to you, but it takes lot of cour-
age" she added.
"Tell me just the same" answered
Mark. you know, my dear, l want
you to have everything you wish for.
And If Major Howard won't give it to
you, you just let me know. He has as
sumed the responsibility for your up
bringing, and I'm going to have the
fun Of giving you pleasure"
'It's something that Major Howard
can't give me, Captain Mark"
"Can I?'
"Yes," she said in low voice, pull
ing at his coat, and suddenly raising
her eyes to his. Mark Wallace saw the
soul of a mature woman look out of
the eyes Of the child. "When I'm old
er and have put my hair up, and wear
long dresses-when I'm eighteen, say,
II want you to marry me, Captain
Mark"
She was gone in a flash, running
along the corridor, while Mark WAL
lace stood dumfounded at the door,
hearing her footsteps grow fainter as
she hurried into the recesses of the
Misses Harpers' School for Select
Young Ladies.
Mark went down the walk like a
man dreaming. 1t was absurd; it was,
perhaps, Characteristic of the girls age
and temperament; and yet, in spite of
the absurdity, Captain Mark Wallace
felt as if he had suddenly regained
the grimy little child whom he had
found upon the hillside in front of
Santiago, and lost again.
AS he reached the gate he saw a
man watching him from the bend Of
the road. Something Of furtiveness in
the mans posture made him wheel
sharply round; then he remembered
Eleanor's words and started in haste
toward him. But the man shambled
off at a quick gait and when Mark
reached the bend he could see no.
hndu