Siberia!
CHAPTER XII
UNTIL WHEN?
I
“We’re entraining on the ‘eleven o’clock’ for New York to-night, Madge. I’m supposed to have my men on the transport to-morrow at noon.” Gordon pulled back a khaki sleeve and looked at his gunmetal wrist-watch. “I must be back at the Armory at nine o’clock sharp. It will take me half an hour to reach it. It’s now five minutes to eight. So I suppose, like most of the boys about the city to-night, I’ve got to cram eternity into thirty-five fateful minutes.” Gordon said the words with a smile. But his features were white as chalk. “I suppose, Madge, it’s good-by!”
“But you didn’t expect orders for two weeks yet, Gordon!” Madeline arose from the divan with a hand against her heart.
“I know it, Madge! But the order came through suddenly.”
“Sit down, Gordon!” The girl’s request was a piteous whisper.
Gordon laid his officer’s cap on a corner of the table.
His new puttees creaked as he sank in an opposite chair.