And indeed there were scores of familiar faces among the boys that were passing perhaps forever out of their lives. Some saw the girls and saluted them gaily, but most of them were too intent upon boarding the train and embarking upon the glorious adventure with as little delay as possible to look either to the right or the left.
Then, just as the girls thought they must have missed "their own particular four" and were bracing themselves to stand the disappointment, they saw them!
They were together, the four of them, splendid specimens of young manhood with their cropped heads and service hats and packs slung over their backs.
"Allen," cried Betty impulsively, and he turned as though shot, a deep flush staining his face.
They came over then, those four, to the girls they were leaving indefinitely—perhaps forever. Their young faces were very grave, their jaws grim and set, and the girls realized suddenly that these were not the boys who had so joyously left Deepdale in the service of their country. These were no longer careless, irresponsible boys, but men with a great and glorious duty to perform, and their hearts thrilled with a new pride.
And while eloquent things were being said, not only with lips, but with eyes and clasping hands, Allen bent nearer to Betty's little, upturned face.
|
"IT MAY BE A LONG TIME, BUT—I'M COMING BACK." |
|
"IT MAY BE A LONG TIME, BUT—I'M COMING BACK." |
"It may be a long, long time, little girl," he whispered, gravely, "but—I'm coming back. And, Betty, I have your picture—that little snapshot you gave me, the laughing one, you remember?"
Betty nodded, smiling bravely while she choked back something deep down in her throat.
"And—" his eyes had grown very wistful, "and—I'm counting on some letters from you, Betty?"