The Gavelyte, October 1914

CEDARVILLE COLLEGE 9 "Shot?" She asked with horror. "You must let me h e lp you. I--." "But I am a :Northerner, you remember," he warned with a wan smile. "Tho I woulid take h elp from a Southerner-but now-no--l can't wait. I must lose no time. It's a horse' that I want, and I will pay handsomely for it. This one i done for." "A horse?" cri~d ilrs. Rathburn. "You had better be in bed, si r . You haven't the strength to go on." "Go on," he criEd weakly, "I must go on. i\ly ijife, my honor, my 1 eputation-a.11 depend upon it. 1\YhY, 1 would not tarry a moment for-a million dollars." In his earnestness he tried to raise his arm, but a spasm of pain cros ed bis white features and he swayed slightly, then almost fe:l from his mount. An old negro servant was calleld and he carried him unconscious into the house. "He has fainted!" exclaimed '".\liriam. "Bring some water, quick!" From the ball the young so ldier was taken to an upper bedroom and there attended 'by Aunt Chloe, a faithful old muse. For an hour he lay in an unconscious state, suffering intense pain from the severe wound in his arm. ThEn quite suddEnly he regained con sciousn ess and looke'd wonderingly at the unfamiliar room. But only a moment was his gaze one of wonder . It soon turned to one of hopelest- despair. He lifted his arm and tried to speak . "•A horse," he cried very weakly; "I must go on. It is important. I must; J must." But firmly Aunt Chloe held him jn bed and r ang fo r Mrs. Rath– burn. "My dear bor," S! 'J.id Mrs. Rathburn, soothing his hot brow with her cool hand. "You must not think of going. Your arm is in a ver y dangerous condition and to go would mean death." A low moan escaped his lips and she heard him murmur: "The papers.·· "\\'bat is trou'bling you, my boy? Do not be afraid to trust me, even if I am a •Southerner," she said, a delicate blush overspr eading hPr face. The soldier boy lifted his eyes to hEr. For a moment a mist ~warn before him. ViThy was it? Ah! Was it because the sweet gentl face of the lady looke~ so much like the face of his own dead moth 1·? '''ho cou1d eseape the plealcling of her eyes? Just then :\1 iriam Pntered, bringing a glass of cold water. "Do you fed better?" she asked softly. "Y , . ve1 y much, thank you; but-- ." A Figh scaped his lips and h<' tul'lled his face toward the wall. '\\'hat must he do? Should he tc>IJ th1•m all his rrancl, or should he forreit the commander's trust and Jose all? A momc nl d cided him ancl, turning again to the two soutlwrn woweu, he told them his sPc:1 et. \\'hen he had finish d, liriarn's fac-P wa · quilt• as pale as hi", wLile llfrs. Rathl.rnrn e -