The Scarlet Feather

A D

r. When he awakened, the sun of spring was shining on the quivering le

was general factotum-coachman, gardener, footman,-and usually valeted his young master. No

kfasted in their rooms, sir. The recto

ssed in the handwriting of Dora Dundas. Rudd knew the outside of a bill as well as hi

opened the girl's letter

see you this morning. There are many things to be talked of before

lov

o

and thinking of the shameful scene of last night. "Well, I'

not confess the fact even to himself, he was now consumed with chagrin that he had refus

contained there. Dick put in his fingers, and pulled forth a white feather. For a few seconds, he stared at it in bewilderment, wondering what this thing might mean. But, in the next instant, the significance of it flash

ender, he was filled with an overmastering rage against the one who dared thus to impugn his courage. He looked at the envelope, which was addressed in a straggling hand, and was convinced that the writer had disguised the handwriting. But he felt that he had no need of evidence to know who

s completely as he wished, and he breakfasted without appetite. He was s

ully outlined by the lines of her walking dress. 42 This was of a gray cloth, perfectly cut, but almost military in its severity. Her mouth was small and proud, her eyes gray and solemn, her color high f

ed. Her eyes lighted up and moistened with tenderness. She could not

th a blush. "I did so want to see you!

d all about last night

the war, and I overheard a little of their conversation-about last night. How sad

Dick's face, and lef

ed, and there was no question of cowardice abo

t Jack Lorrimer or

on't know?"

face made her h

nformation came from a tainted source. Ormsby had told her father, in her hear

go. How could I go? You know all about my finances. You know what it costs, the outfit, e

a girl born in a military camp, and reared among men who regarded the chance of active service as the good fortune of the go

l more of the unfortunate state of his family affairs than he had hoped would be necessary. Of course, she was sympat

It's not too late. I'll have to swindle somebody to get my outfit, and add ano

nly a word to him would be enough. He

the end, and leave his money to strangers. But, as it's settled, we need say no more. I suppose I

, D

having braved the inevitable anger of your father in giving yourself to me, you'd show som

the girl. "I'm a sol

often enough. I don't 45 know much about the war, but all I've heard has s

s hand, sullen

quickly: "It's more than ever necessary, Dick, now that you are g

creet. And, if I'm killed-well, n

of battle, I should be proud to

some staring passers-by, who saw that t

ing," said Dick haughtily, drawing himself up to his full height,

t leave me

ious decision to stay at home that she might have him always near. When he was out of sight, tears still blurred Dora's vision, and she bowed her head. A strange fa

as the authority upon everything military. He fairly bristled with patriotism, and his views on the grad

s the burden of his platitudes; and his motherless daughter had listened reverently ever since she was

y, all rich men. The miser so frequently advertised the fact that his grandson would not inherit a penny of his money that people had come to believe it, and they looked upon Dick with corresponding coolness. He surely must be a scamp to be

h women until he fell in love with Dor

ed by his love, and he drank deep to dispel his melancholy. Harry Bent-who was already under the spell of Ne

or ever. Dick worshiped with his eyes in such a manner that only the blind could fail to read the signs. He was not loquacious, and Dora was unaccountably shy. They never spoke of love until one day Dick, with simple audacity, and favored by

ured, with a great sigh of

and came to his heart a

s all too precious and wonderful and beau

g around that Swinton was going, after all. Jack Lorrimer explained that Dick had at last procured the consent of his grandfather, without whic

rectory, Dick met his

to go. I've just given my name in to the colonel, and the money must

our outfit; I've got enough. I suppos

if that's all I

all I can

dfather's tw

t wretch who was here yesterday, and the rest to pay some of my own debts. My luck has desert

gro

for it does belong to us, to you and me, I mean-as much as to him, doesn't it? It's maddening to t

e," growled Dick,