The Soldier's Wife — page 40: what you’re looking at

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THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. 29 clarmed Lucy: and in the enthusiasm of her joy |then separated,—Lucy flitting back to the cot- sie Hung her arms round Frederick’s neck and |tage, which she succeeded in reaching ere her kissed him of her own accord. “ Then you con-|father’s return—and Frederick retracing his sent to my proposal? Yes, yes—I see that|way to his humble lodging at Bates’s house, you will! And think not, Frederick,” she|but in a very different condition of mind from added, more slowly and seriously, “ that because|what he experienced when he issued forth in one sense I shall prove a disobedient daugh-|thence an hour previously ter,—-I mean in flying from my father’s house, and against his will bestowing my hand where —_—— my heart is already bound,—think not on this account that I shall prove.a disobedient wife CHAPTER VIII. algo \” “ Heaven forbid that I should entertain such THE SMART-MONEY. au idea!” cried Frederick, his looks showing how pained he was that his Lucy should have} Lonspate said not a word to the barber of even thought it necessary to give him such an|what his intention was—nor to Mr. Langley, assurance. “No, my dearest girl—! am nowj|when at the appointed time on Monday mortr receiving too many proofs of your devoted love |ing he repaired to the Royal Oak to accompany and your all-trusting devotion, not to feel how th individual up to the Manor House. The great is the treasure that I shall possess in|sergeant was dressed with as much neatness mt. = and precision as ever; and he looked as stately “And now forgive me, dear Fred,” she re|and as pompous as was his wont. It was his sumed, pressing his hand in grateful acknow-linvariable policy to maintain the most friendly ledgment of the words he had just uttered,—|demeanor towards his recruits until the final “pardon me, if I again touch upon a purely |scene of the enlisting ceremonies had rivetted business matter. This money which is required | the chains of the service inextricably upon thei to procure your release, must be paid, you say, |limbs: but whether he subsequently treatec by Tuesday morning. I will manage to convey |them with an equal affability and kindness, we it to you to-morrow evening. Possibly I may |shall perhaps hereafter have an opportunity of contrive to meet you myself: but if not, we |seving. For the present it is sufficient to ob roust trust Martha in the affair. She loves me!serve that he still maintained his recruiting well, and will do anything to serve me There-|smile, as he proffered his hand to Frederick fore, if I come not myself, you may rely upon | Lonsdale. seeing her. Let us not appoint our old trysting-| “ Well, my friend,” he said, “ you are indeed place at the bridge, for fear my father’s suspi-|punctual. Upon my honor, I think you will cions should be awakened. But let ¢/?s be the | become the flower of the regiment. It is quite epet to-morrow evening—within half an hour |delightful to see such punctuality. Therefore, of sunset. Aud now one word more. Shouldjas Sir Archibad has received an intimation from it be impossible for either of us to get out to-|me that Iam about to pay him a last visit ere morrow evening, there is no doubt that Martha | leaving this neighborhood, we will not keep him can manage to run down into the village be-|waiting. It is at ten punctually we are to be tween seven and eight o'clock in the morning./at the Manor.” You say that the money need not be paid till] Frederick was half inclined to deal frankly at ten; and therefore in any case there will be/{once with the sergeant, and to avow his inten- ainple time. Martha will discover that there is|tions: but as they had a walk of two miles no tea or no bread for the breakfast—or some| before them, he did not wish to be exposed to excuse of that kind—and she will speed to fetch | whatsoever cajolery or threats Mr. Langley what is needful. Can she not deliver a little|;might think fit to adopt in order to induce him sealed packet for you at Mr. Bates’s ?” to change his mind and adhere to his enlistment. “Yes,” replied Frederick. “ Bates is well dis-| He accordingly said nothing; and they set out posed towards me; and he will punctually de-|upon their walk. During the whole way Ser- liver anything that may be entrusted to him|geant Langley expatiated in his usual stram fur me. Ah, my dearest Lucy, how can I evet|upon the happiness of a soldier’s life; and Fred- sufficiently testify my gratitude towards you for|erick continued to listen in silence—or to speak all this forethought ?” more correctly, we should say that he did not “ Gratitude ? murmured Lucy, half reproach-|listen at all ; for his every thought was absorbed fully, half archly: “do not I possess something |in the happy and unlooked-for change which that is above the comparative coldness of grati-|since the previous evening had takeu place in tude ” his prospects. On their way towards the Manor “Yes, yes—my love—my ardent, devoted,| House, they had to pass within a hundred yards unchangeable love!” cried Frederick, embracing |of Mr. Davis’s cottage; and Frederick rivetted her with enthusiasm, his eyes upon the windows in the hope of catch- “In two days, dearest Frederick,” she said,|ing a glimpse of that countenance which was the “you will be once more free; ard then——” _| brightest and most beauteous in the whole world “Oh, yes—and then you must not delay the|for him, Nor was he disappointed, He beheld consummation Jf my happiness. We will away/an upper window open abruptly, and a white to some town whither there is no danger of im-|handkerchief was waved for an instant, It was mediate pursuit; and there our hands shall be|then withdrawn—the window was closed again united.” , ;—but above the muslin blind he did recognize The lovers emb-aced @ach other fondly, an- ‘the countenance of his well-belovea! gee gl selects ge cit te tiie LL, EL AA A EE A LI eee CONNIE HOOKS.)