The Soldier's Wife — page 37: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

he ¢ ‘pow | wish you yood night.” * emysterious confidence, “Tam = very much mis- . 26 THE SOLDIER’S WIFR. back a couple of paces, and surveying Lonsdale of Mr. Bates. Lonsdale in arswer to the usval slowly from head to foot, “you will make tie question that the serveant put, admitted ina ‘ft finest man in the regiment. Our captain inj firm voice that it was with his own free will eommand of the depot will be proud of yous and consent he had offered himself as a reerutt our colonel when he comes home will be de-'nhis Majesty's service, Serveaut Langley felt lighted !’—then placing his hand upon “Lons-;his satisfaction to be now complete, and took dale’s shoulder, he said ta a lower tone of jhis leave, reminding the recruit that he would | have to attend him on the following Monday taken if there won’t be an epaulette here before morning at hall-past nine o’elock, my t J . long.” We must here observe that Frederick Longe - There was something in the sergeant’s manner | dale had visited the vrove as usunl that even. which Lonsdale did tot like. Indeed, he already | ing—but in vain: Lucy Davis appeared not at half read the character of the individual; and|the wonted place of meeting. Was she then for a moment he was smitten with distrust of really a prisoner 2 had she heard of the ate the bright representations whieh had been made) he had taken ¢ would she make no effort to see to him by the,barber, and of the brithant hopes|him ere he left Oakleigh? Such were the Which he had formed in his own reverie, But| questions which Lonsdale, asked himself, but if he averted his gaze from the rose coloured) how could he answer them? He Gould not. picture, 1 was only to encounter the sombre}! And yet, as he thought that the day was now gicomn of his own present @reumstanees: and|so near when he would be compelled to turn therefore, with the desperation of a man who!his back upon the picturesque little village, his suddenly adopts the only alternative which|heart sank within him at the bare thought of appears to promise the slightest retrievement | leaving It without bidding farewell to his ef his shattered fortunes, be said in a firm (one,/adored Lucey. And yet, how was he to see “Mr. Langley, if itis only for seven years that;her? He dared not proceed to her father’s the enlistment is made,* [ desire to become a|cottage aud openly solicit an interview, Jt soldier.’ would be equally useless to loiter about the “You have been rightly informed, my young) vicinage of that dwelling in the hope that she friend,” responded Langley, “as to the term}would come forth to speak with him: for if for which you enlist: and never had I greater|she could issue thence at all, she would have pleasure in proflering any one the King’s|}come at the usual hour to their wonted reudez- money,” added the sergeant, with a tinge of |vous. There was one hope. Would she not triumph permeating bis wonted poniposity.| be permitted to repair to church on Sunday % “Therefore iu his Majusty’s name do 1 enlist youjand if so, might she not endeavor to elude her thus ?—and he put ten shillings into the had | father’s vigilance, if only for a few minutes, of Frederick Lonsdale. and fly to the spot where she would be sure “ Now what ceremony am I to go through #’)}to meet him? But, Ah! remembered he not inguired the young man. (hat on the preceding Sunday Luey did not * Nothing more at present, my friend, unless |appear as usual at church? and might she not you choose to come aud take a glass with/stiliremain away, ov the one that was now at me” ~ |hand¢ Was she ill? Heavens! the thought “T would rather not,” rejoined Frederck,) was distraction; and Frederick experienced a *and trust you will excuse me Do not think) bitterness of anguish more poignant than any that { shall retract from the step which | have!he had yet kuown. For his Lucy to be ill, taken. ‘there is uo chance of that,’ le addedjand he in ignorance thereof—or uncertain as to somewhat bitterly. her condition—and at all events unable even “You speak like aman,” replied Langley.|to approach her dwelling for the purpose, of “For the next two days you can divert yourself] making an inquiry Oh, \t was almost toe In any way you chvose. Let me see, this is}much to bear! Thursday. Ou Saturday evening I shall just) It was a prey to varied and conflicting emo- serve you with a little notice—a mere matier| tions of pain and apprehension that Frederick of form to prove that you have enlisted: and| Lonsdale proceeded to church at the morning’s then next Monday morning, at about halfpast}service. ‘The day was serenely beautifu'—the nine o'clock you will be so kind fs to accompany jsun was shining upon the old vew trees, above me to some magistrate to finish the eeremony.”| which the little spire peeped forth, and the “JT eballinot fail,’ replied Frederick. “ Aud) bells were sprinkling the ar with their metallie sounds, The villagers, all in their best apparel, The young man turved somewhat abruptly} were wending their way to the temple of wor- svay, and buried home to his litle lodging,/ ship; and some of them—chietly the most aged ~here he sat down and pondered deeply —paused in the churchyard to contemplate yes, and even patufuily Upolu whit he had] those vrave stones Which stood there as me- done. But he did not repent: for if he had} morials of departed relatives or friends, Sir not taken this step, what altermative had he #) Archibald Redburn’s carriage rolled up to the ‘Lhe Saturday evenly CiLile, abd the notice pate of the chureh-yard ; and thence descend- of his enlistment was duly presenced to him by}ed the Baronet, his Jady, and Aunt Jane; Sergeant Lanyley iy person and in the preseuce) but Gerald Redburn seldom attended church; service—he generally happened to be very un- * Previous to April, 1829, enlistments were made for) well indeed on a Sunday, As the Baronet, weife periods. Lt was at the date just mentioned that with his wife on one arm and his sister on the «he War Office issued « warrant ordering ull subecquent sd ist Ne f gulistinen’s tc be for life — other, threaded the churchyard towards the ~ a J cComicbooks.« va