The Ordway new era., 1919-01-31

II suppose ] didn't realize how big
you were getting" said Mark penitent-
ly. "But you can't think how glad /
am to see you; anyway"
"It's a shame sticking you for years
girl. II wish, Uncle Mark. you hadn't
stayed in the army after the war;"
"Why. my dearT'
because then you could have gone
into business in New York. like Cap
tain Murray and Captain Crawford."'
"Tve been thinking about as much
myself. Eleanor. But guess the army
got hold Of me-"
"But they haven't treated you right
ly. Uncle Mark. They haven't promot-
ed you for years, and they have
jumped all sorts of officers over your
head. Major Howard was saying 30
only before he left for Alaska. But, of
course, he's out of favor, and he
wouldn't have any influence. anyway.
It's years since he was In the army"
81 suppose I'm a back number, my
dear. Some of us have to be. Per
haps I'll get my chance. I'm not thir-
ty yet, you know. and thirty Isn't con-
sidered awfully old in the army. At
least. 1t isn't the retiring age"
Don't be so absurd, Uncle Mark
You don't look an old man at all. 1t
was just that your photograph was
taken SO long ago, and I didn't reflect
that you must have changed"
"And II ever another war comes Tn
sure my experience will count for O
lot. And I'll probably have command
over Captain Murray and Captain
Crawford II ever the National Guard
is called on for serious work. And
then you'll have your function as our
mascot, you know"
He was surprised at the girls sud.
den responsiveness to his words. She
grew very serious.
i've often thought about that, On
Gle Mark" she answered.
"But. Of course. 1t may never hap.
pen"
II suppose not. But II ever 1t does
mean to try to be what you meant
me to be when you made that condi.
ton to the major. How I wish-how
I wish"
"Yes. my dearf
'.That we knew who my father was
Sometimes I think he was only an
American planter. perhaps. who lived
in Cuba and was forced to fee when
the war began. And then again ]
dream that he may have been a brave
soldier who was trying to serve his
country by going into the Epaniel
lines in disguise, and hope that
may be worthy Of him."
you don't remember anything
EleanorT
"Yes. Uncle Mark. Tn sure I do
and yet I've thought SO much about II
that I'm not sure how much Of 1t Is
memory and how much Is just child's
inventions. Perhaps invented all Of
1t, and made myself believe remem
bered 1t. And yet I am sure part of II
is memory"
"What do you remember2" asked
Mark rather fearfully.
swell. Uncle Mark, my first connect
ed memories are of Major Howard's
home. of course. And have very
vivid impression Of being brought into
the dining room and toasted at thai
dinner which the Major gave to the
officers after the war. But before al
that I seem to have memories, as Il
they were pictures"
"What is the first thing you remain
ber?"
II see q woman lying In a bed in 9
strange room. Her face is whittier thar
any face have known: a man sits be
side her. with his head in his hand
and, though death has no meaning fol
me. am afraid. for know that sh'
was my mother"
"Was this in Cuba, Eleanorf
IT don't know, but think SO, Unclt
Mark. because I remember running tc
the window and seeing a great palm
tree outside, with spreading branches
And there are other cities. and WI
seem to go from place to place. Away
watching for somebody, and yet. as i
were, hiding from people. / know We
avoid people, but 1t is an instinct onl,
that tells me so.
"And again am with my father IL
the jungle. I don't know how we go
there, but see the trees all arount
me, and am afraid. We walk on ani