The Argosy — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

A Story of the Day. 29 The soldier’s face, which had been wearing an expression of the deepest sadness, now for an instant lighted up with a happy, confident smile, as he readily promised obedience to the Doctor’s mandate. Keep all worry from her, his almost idolized wife? Aye, that would he indeed ; no need to press this upon him. Ashort year only had elapsed since he had made pretty Blanche Cameron his wife. She was an orphan, not without means of her own, but living with relations who understood her little and cared for her less). She had never known what it was to have anyone who cared to enter into any of her pursuits, or to whom she could confide her best thoughts and feelings, until she met Ronald Douglas. Their fnendship quickly ripened into love on both sides, and after a short engagement she became his wife, and went out with him to S——, to which place his regiment had just been ordered. I have not space here to tell how happy their married life was ; how, after her lonely, neglected past, she valued his devotion and per- fect sympathy, his unfailing courtesy; nor of how she returned his leve, and strove to make his home happy. Their life was almost an ideal one, in its perfect confidence and affection. But alas, there was one trial from: which all Ronald’s care and devotion could not save her. Her health, which hitherto had been fairly good, though never robust, failed : she could not stand the enervating climate of S ; and, as we have heard from Dr. Spencer, the choice lay between sending her away from the husband who was all on earth to her, or allowing her to remain in a climate that was almost killing her. This had now ended in her husband having made up his mind to exchange % possible into a regiment stationed at home. Captain Douglas lost no time. That same evening he went to his Colonel, with the intention of asking him to write the necessary application for leave to exchange. He found Colonel Deane at home, and in a few words made him acquainted with his errand. The Colonel expressed regret at the prospect of losing him from the regi- ment, in which he was a general favourite, both with officers and men, but quite agreed with the motives which had led him to come to this decision, and did not hesitate to comply with his request. “Let me see,” he said, speaking rapidly, “this is the 11th, the mail goes out on the 13th. I will write this letter to-day, Douglas, and if you will come down here to-morrow afternoon with two of your brother officers, in whose presence you will have to sign the necessary declaration that your motive for wishing to exchange is nothing affecting your honour, I will then have my letter ready for your en- closure. And I heartily hope the change may completely restore Mrs. Douglas to health, though we shall miss you both greatly.” Ronald warmly thanked his Colonel, and took his leave. He did not then go in search of any of his brother officers, as the hour was getting late, and he knew Blanche would be nervous if left too long alone; he therefore hastened home, and found his wife somewhat GOMMGIO@ S >