"I marry Major Strause now, and here—now, in this time of war, and famine, and siege, and misery! My dear little sister, you ask too much. If that is what you have sent for me for, I must leave you, and I cannot do what you ask. The sick and wounded are wanting me. This is not the time for personal feelings, or for marrying and giving in marriage."
"Then I am the most miserable girl in all the world," cried Kitty.
She fell on her knees, and looked passionately up in her sister's face.
"I can't give you the promise, Kitty. It is too much; you had no right to ask it."
With a quick movement Mollie tore herself from Kitty's embrace and rushed from the room.
CHAPTER XXII.
MOLLIE'S PERSECUTOR.
The next day the bombardment was severe. Long Tom at his nearer range was more formidable than ever, and no less than two hundred and fifty shells burst in the town and forts. Only the cave dwellers felt safe. Even the cattle were beginning to suffer. The noise caused by the constant firing was incessant. The wounded could not sleep, and the doctors and nurses found it impossible to do their difficult work properly. Rations for the sick, too, were running terribly short, and comforts and dainties for the convalescent were far to seek and impossible to find.