But I'll tell you, Carley, we fellows who went across got
to see things strange when we came home. The good old U. S. needs a lot of
faithful girls just now, believe me."
"Indeed that's true," replied Carley. "It's a hard time for everybody, and
particularly you boys who have lost so--so much."
"I lost all, except my life--and I wish to God I'd lost that," he replied,
gloomily.
"Oh, don't talk so!" implored Carley in distress. "Forgive me, Rust, if I
hurt you. But I must tell you--that--that Glenn wrote me--you'd lost your
girl. Oh, I'm sorry! It is dreadful for you now. But if you got well--and
went to work--and took up life where you left it--why soon your pain would
grow easier. And you'd find some happiness yet."
"Never for me in this world."
"But why, Rust, why? You're no--no--Oh! I mean you have intelligence and
courage. Why isn't there anything left for you?"
"Because something here's been killed," he replied, and put his hand to his
heart.
"Your faith? Your love of--of everything? Did the war kill it?"
"I'd gotten over that, maybe," he said, drearily, with his somber eyes on
space that seemed lettered for him. "But she half murdered it--and they did
the rest.
Pages:
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263