The Coolidge examiner., 1933-07-07
CHAPT-R Xl-Continued
-I6-

They are grand ladies, sir. They
did not give their names
Colin admitted the servant who,
with candle in his hand, lighted
those on the table. 1t was a quar-
ter after eight. The young man be-
gan 10 dress saying: Why such
dream about Nancy?"
He dressed and went below
stairs The only sign of the deviltry
OF war upon him was a bandage on
his big right hand. A pretty maiden
met him in the lobby saying: Il am
the secretary of the Baroness de
Riedesel. who has gone up the river
with the Lady Howe. Miss Wood
bridge is having supper in the din
ing room and wishes you to join
her"
Nancy! lie had begun to think
better OF her. After all the future
was now full of uncertainty. lie
had some curiosity as TO that
change of spirit which had won the
sympathy of the Lady Washington.
He found Nancy al table IN q
remote corner OF the almost desert
ed dining room. She was becom.
inEly dressed in black. and white
lace. Her left arm was in a sling.
She arose and ran TO meet him with
an exclamation of JOY. Their lips
met.
20 comrade Forgive me If
weep" she said MY heart flutters
Ike bird in n snare. have
50 much To tell you. know not
how 10 begin"
This arm what has happened
10 you:"
Romance You would call ii
solly. First. let us sit down and
comfort ourselves with food and
wine"
Colin was in high spirit. After
the excitement of battle and the
stern seventies of the retreat, the
wine. the food. the comfort of the
place and the beauty of his compan-
on filled him with a grateful sense
Il JOY and relaxation.
She began her story: You see
NJ lover was out in the line be-
yond Brooklyn. couldn't rest
thinking of him, fearing that harm
vould come 10 him. longing TO see
1ini. You men are different. Yon
do not know what IL is TO lie awake
and rise often and look out of the
window and count the stars and
pray 10 God that He will help you
in your loneliness. | have done all
that. had made my peace with
Mrs Washington. The Commander
forgave my broken furlough and
gave me letter 10 General Putnam.
| went into his hospital behind the
lines. | had a romantic faith that
a chance would come 10 show the
1ne man how devotedly loved him.
was sure that fate would bring US
ogeiher. lie did not come The
oatile was raging near us all the
afternoon Our hospital was q farm.
house In the dusk of the evening
Il went out with the litter men to
pick up the wounded. The field
was covered With dead and injured
men Many were in red coats.
Often called the name of my lover.
He did not answer. stopped TO
give water 10 wounded man. A
bullet from a sharpshooter In some
distant tree tore the flesh Of my
arm. fell as If dead al il was
dark. ! went to the hospital. My
little wound was dressed. | was
not quite fii for work. Next morn
ing before daylight a surgeon took
me 10 the BROOKLYN ferry. | went
10 the house of my aunt. And you
You had great adventure. heard
of IL. Your poor right hand was
wounded. Tell me of that charge
you led"
''It was no great matter. My
wounds were slight. We got through.
That's enough TO say about It."
Colin had been touched by her
account of devotion almost heroic.
His heart warmed TO her.
"You are brave. dear girl" he
said. Il hope that the young man
is worthy of you"
She sat a moment in silence. her
chin resting on her hand, looking
down at the table.
HE is a thousand times too good
for me-" she whispered.
"Who is the fortunate young
MANI"
do you really want to know?"
she asked with a faint smile.
las a friend of yours ! have a
right To know"
II was i'm his mind to have frank
and friendly talk with her.
Come to my aunt's house with
me and may tell you. A time has
come when can no longer play
with YOU"
why not? haven't stolen your
marbles"
NO. you have stolen the best of
all my nlaythlngs. 1t is a costly
treasure"