Red Fleece Part 31

The table was between them.

"But first," said Boylan, "there is a little business in which you can help. My friend, Mowbray... is just coming back to life from Russian wounds. I could not leave him without being a.s.sured of his care. There is one little nurse from the entrainment wards--it is a good story, which I will tell in good time--competent to care for him. She is there now, but I have already stayed longer than her leave granted.

She must be set at rest, and word sent also to her own post--"

"So much words for a little thing--dictate and I write. Then tell me of yourself, which is more imbortant--"

It happened, even after the messages were sent, that Boylan spoke very little of himself. He was grappling with a certain final disposal. His talk was colored with desire. In fact, within an hour he had reached the critical part of his narrative, and was becoming more glib momentarily as the way out cleared:

"...You see, they met in Warsaw, where I was stationed before the war.

She did not tell him what was in her mind. He parted from her--as any other married man taking the field. We were together with Kohlvihr's column, of which I will tell you later.... Now what do you think?"

Herr Hartz snorted. He did not care to think.

"She didn't stay in Warsaw," Boylan went on, with great intensity.

"No, my friend, she joined the hospital corps, and followed him afield--"

"The Russians take anyone for the hosbittles," the other remarked impatiently.

"Exactly; and my friend Mowbray found her nursing sick soldiers in Judenbach. It happened that they were together when the city changed hands. By the way, there was much of interest in those days of which I will tell you later.... This is the point. She was a Polish prisoner-- he an American non-combatant. I advised them to say nothing for the present that they were married. It was very ticklish to change hands anyway, and would have complicated the position of each one. So they were separated. He was with me day by day until he was wounded. He moved in a dream without her--a good boy, Colonel--and a good girl-- but war. I say, we learned something about men, you and I--long ago--- "

Herr Hartz now beamed.

"We learned it," he breathed.

"They make only a few on the pattern of Mowbray.... Last night I saw her in the street here at Sondreig.... So you see why I arranged for her to take my place at his side--but you can arrange the rest--"

"For G.o.d's sake, what do you want? You talk and talk about such people and women and love stories--when we have so much to say about ourselves--"

"Be patient. We have all time," said Big Belt. "I only want them together--a true married pair. Then they will be off my hands. You can make Headquarters forget she is Polish--that is all. Some little place apart--for them to be together while he heals--"

"Such a lot of talk for small things. It shall be done, Boylan, with a paper. I will send them to the country and mon.o.bolize you myself. This is a big war--yes?"

Chapter 8

A last time he climbed to the floor above the apothecary shop. If only she wouldn't act up. A serious thing, this he had done. Big Belt felt that he had rushed matters, possibly treading upon a host of delicate and incomprehensible affairs. But, when he had found in Colonel Hartz a man to make action of his words, he had plunged....

Peter was asleep. The woman came forward noiselessly, offering her hand. By her face he knew that all was well with the patient. Boylan had stiffened to resist the pang of Peter's pa.s.sing from his life.

This had so far prevented his voice from softening to the woman. It was now evening.

"I've done what seemed best," he began abruptly in a whisper. "It appears to have accomplished what I set out after, but it's likely a ruffian's way--"

Her gray eyes widened, her face blanched.

Big Belt cleared his throat. Whispering was difficult.

"I met an old friend who made possible your remaining here. He's to send you into the country--as soon as the young fellow is able to be moved. You are to take care of him there. You see, my friend happened to be second in command here at Sondreig, and he thinks he can make all concerned forget that you were picked up from the opposition in Judenbach--"

"Can make Sondreig forget that?" she whispered.

"We are very old friends. We were out together in a former service--"

"And we are to be sent into the country--as soon as Peter is able?"

"Yes."

"But what is the terrible part?"

"There might have been a better way, but I didn't think of it--"

"Oh, what, Mr. Boylan?"

"I told him that you two were married--"

"Yes."

"I say, I told him that you two were married--"

"Yes--and then?"

Big Belt backed from her, and sat down.

"There isn't any _then_," he said. "That's it.... That you were married in Warsaw, and followed him to the field--without his knowing."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, you frightened me."

...Boylan was on the stairs. He halted, turned back. She came to him eagerly.

"But _were_ you married?" he asked.

"No. But it's such a little thing compared to what might have happened--to keep us apart. I mean what might have happened here....

Oh, G.o.d bless you!"

He twisted his chin away from his collar, drew it clear with his hand, cleared his throat to speak, and vanished.

VII

THE GREEN OF CEDARS