h a sigh, and he lay back, breathing
heavily.

CHAPTER VII

GOOD-BYE

"Go and get shot!"

The old man's words rang in Dick's ears as he rode away.

Well, perhaps he would be. His eyes traveled over the undulating glens of
Asherton Park, where beeches and chestnuts in picturesque clumps
intersected the rolling grass land, and wondered if this were the last
time he would look upon the place. He wondered what Dora would be doing
this time next year--if he were shot.

Well, it would be easier to face a rain of bullets than to step into the
train that was to carry him away from Dora. To-day, they were to meet and
part. To-morrow, he started.

At once, on returning to town, Dick hastened to the Mall in Central Park,
where he was to meet Dora again, by appointment. There, the elms in the
avenue were still a blaze of gold, that shimmered in the afternoon
sunlight.

Dora set out from home equipped for walking in a white Empire coat with a
deep ermine collar, a granny muff to match, and a little white hat with a
tall aigrette. Her skirt was short, and her neat little feet were
encased in high-heeled boots, that clicked on the gravel path as she
hurried toward the Mall. She looked her best, and she knew it. She wanted
Dick to take away an impression vivid and favorable, something to look
back upon and remember with pleasure. She was no puling, sentimental girl
to hang about his neck, and crush roses into his hand. The tears were in
her heart; the roses in her cheeks. Warm kisses from her ruddy lips would
linger longer than the perfume of the sweetest flowers. She had wept a
great deal--but in secret--and careful bathing and a dusting of powder
had removed all traces. As she proceeded down the avenue, her faultless,
white teeth many times bit upon the under lip, which trembled
provokingly; and the shiver of the golden elms in the Park beside her
certainly was not responsible for the extreme haziness of her vision. It
was her firm intention not to think of Dick going into the death zone.
This might be their last interview; but she would not allow such an idea
to intrude. It was a parting for a few months at most.

She turned into the Park and, after walking for a minute, caught sight of
Dick, moodily awaiting her. She gave a great gulp, and pressed her muff
to her mouth to avoid crying out. Oh, the horrid, shooting pain in her
breast, and the stinging in her eyes! The tree trunks began to waver, and
the ground wa