The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1919-01-03

still fingered, and he went on with
his scrubbing. Somehow he did not
want to meet her eyes.
| She came toward him and stood near
him. by the table. Something splashed
down TO the floor-then something else
Mark raised his head. They were
tears, and others followed them down
| the nursing sisters face. The girl was
| Eleanor
She put out her hands blindly. "Oh,
Captain Mark she whispered
| Mark felt himself beginning to
shake; fate seemed TO have played
wretched trick on him just then.
why, Captain Mark Why-why
did you do this?" asked Eleanor.
Hey, Weston" called his fellow or
DERBY from the door of the sterilizing
room; and then, seeing him with the
sister, withdrew.
on heard my name?" asked Mark.
Il heard it, Captain Mark. Won't
you tell me what it means, what it all
meanS?"
What it all means?" he repeated
vaguely, wondering at the concern on
her face.
"Why you disappeared as you did
from Washington. / knew that you
had applied for leave OF absence, be-
cause you had overworked in the hot
weather. But you never came
back" Her voice broke into sob.
THE Colonel didn't think it strange.
He wouldn't admit that there was any
reason, except that you must have
gone back to your regiment Did you
and he quarrel, Captain Mark? It's
unthinkable. 1 could learn nothing
about you, but Major Kellerman had
said you were tired of the work and
might have got some appointment out
of the service. Their tales were con-
flicting. And you weren't on the army
list any more. Won't you tell me, just
because-you know-because-"
Mark could hardly restrain his feel
ing.
I'll tell YOU" said Mark, raising his
eyes. II was accused of treachery, of
betraying secrets to enemies of my
country"
Eleanor laughed in a little, mirth-
less voice. You're still the same,
Uncle Mark" she whispered. did you
think l would believe that?''
at was not true" cried Mark, net
tied and desperate. But 1t was found
that / frequented gambling houses"
You are so fond of money, Uncle
Mark -
II wanted money. You We're rich,
and 1 wanted your esteem. 1 wanted
to move in your circles. to win your
favor, as others could"
She gasped and grew red; he saw
that his arrow had gone home, and
went on pitilessly.
when / was at your reception you
had smiles for everyone"
That's enough, Captain Wallace"
she said, with an indrawn breath. 'You
fnsulted me the last time we met, you |
see that all my thoughts of you |
were wrong. I was always burden. |
And when you didn't write so many |
years, and when you didn't come TO |
sea me. thought-oh, I'll tell you now, |
since you have Inundated me as deep |
ly as it is possible to humifiate q /
woman. / thought you stayed away /
and kept away because you liked me.
and because you were afraid that I |
might come to care for you, and ruin
my prospects among the rich young
officers. 1 thought it was sort of |
absurd. misplaced, quixotic chivalry,
Captain Wallace"
Wallace was choking So she had
known,
But he had won his miserable game,
as he realized from her next words:
1T was a foolish idea, Captain Wal
lace, and now I've given il up, and I
know that men aren't so idealistic and
as l have imagined them.
But''-she bent forward-"I don't be-
lieve you are traitor. Captain Mark ?"
And over her head Mark saw the tall
figure of Kellerman In the doorway
The recognition was mutual and in
Kellerman's surprise was
changing into a sneering challenge
when Eleanor turned, saw the new
conner, and. with superb effort of
will. smiled at him.
$50 / see you got here. Sister How
laugh.
"Just in time" answered the girl.
Have you come to order us all UP to
the trenches?"
.'Some of you, but not the ladies'.
No. I'm attending the General on his
tour of inspection of the lines" 1
The talk grew indistinct as they
drifted sway. Marx. staring after