ling
brook danced like silver coin beneath them, and a fair girl's face and
tender blue eyes smiled upon him. Then the picture faded and he knew no
more.

CHAPTER XVII.

THOSE WHO WAIT.

There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense. To know the
worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of
doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst. Even a hardened
criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting
for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows. If this be
so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women
whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of
war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for
weeks and months when no tidings reach them?

When the train bearing Liddy's soldier boy from sight had rolled away
she clung to her father's arm in mute despair. Pride sustained her until
they had left the town behind, and were driving across the wide plains
toward her home, and then the tears came. The memory of many pleasant
moonlit drives along the same road when her lover was with her came
back, and with it the realization that it was all ended, perhaps
forever, and that the best she could look forward to was three years of
weary waiting. Before her, miles away, rose the Blue Hills, distinct in
the clear air, and as she looked at them, back came the memory of one
day a month before--a day replete with joy and sorrow, when he had paid
her the greatest and sweetest compliment a man can pay a woman. She
could recall the very tones of his voice and she could almost feel the
touch of his arms when he had held her close for one brief moment. In
silence she rode along for a time, trying to control herself, and then
turning to her father she said:

"Father, there is something I must tell you, and I ask your forgiveness
for not doing so before." And then, in her odd, winsome way, resting her
cheek against his shoulder and holding her left hand before his face for
a moment, she continued: "Can you guess?"

"No, my child," he answered, quickly, wishing to cheer her, "I could not
possibly guess. The ways of my little girl are so deep and dark, how
could I?" and then continuing in a more cheerful tone: "Don't cry any
more, Liddy. Some one is coming back from the war by and by, and some
one else will want a lot of new dresses for a wedding, and expects to be
happy, and I hope