“Fill him up a glass of champagne, a stiff one—it will give him some Dutch courage,” remarked Captain Ormsby sotto voce, but loud enough for the others to hear, and they laughed awkwardly at the implied taunt of cowardice. Burly Jack Lorrimer, who stood by Dick’s side and had had quite enough to drink, seized a bottle jocularly; Ormsby took it from him, and, leaning forward, was about to fill Dick’s glass, when the young man jumped to his feet.
There was the beginning of a luke-warm cheer—arrested instantly, for Dick turned in a fury on Captain Ormsby, and struck him a blow in the face with the flat of his hand that resounded through the 37 room. Then, he kicked his chair back, and strode to the door just behind him.
The colonel angrily hushed the murmurs of excitement that ensued, and with considerable tact proceeded to make a short speech to the volunteers as though nothing had happened.
The whole scene lasted only fifteen minutes. The ugly incident at the table was with one accord ignored, and the wine was attacked with vigor, everybody drinking everybody else’s health. The captain was inwardly satisfied; for had he not succeeded in publicly branding his rival in love as a coward?
Dick Swinton went striding home, a prey to the bitterest humiliation. He had allowed his temper to get the better of him, and had disgraced himself in the eyes of his fellows.
And the forget-me-not in his pocket! That had had much to do with it, of course. It was a silent appeal from the girl he loved, who had been his own, his very own, for only twenty-four sweet hours. He took out her letter, which he had not yet perused, and read it under a street lamp—the letter of a soldier’s daughter, born and reared among soldiers.
Dearest, Of course you must go. Don’t consider me. All the others are going. Our secret must remain sacred until your return. Your country calls, and her claim comes even before that of your 38 own darling. Oh, I shall hate the days you are away, but it cannot be helped, can it? Father is already talking about your kit, and he wants you to come and see him that he may advise you what to buy and what to wear.—Dora.
He groaned as he realized that this note should have been read earlier. It was too late now.