shivering. “He says to wire him immediately. He says it’s important. I[132] guess you didn’t take notice to the message.” [132] The soldier tried to smooth out the crumpled paper with his numb fingers; and Mary Amber, seeing that he was feeling very miserable, took it from him, and capably put it before him. CONTENTS “Am sending you a thousand. Wire me your post-office address immediately. Good news. Important. “(Signed) “(Signed) “Arthur J. Watkins.” Arthur J. Watkins. “I guess I can’t answer that now,” said the soldier, trying his best to keep his teeth from chattering. “I don’t just know—” “Here, I’ll write it for you,” said Mary with sudden understanding. “You better have it sent in Aunt Rill’s care; and then you can have it forwarded anywhere, you know. I’ll write it for you;” and she took a silver pencil from the pocket of her coat, and wrote the telegram rapidly on a corner she[133] tore from the first message, handing it out for his inspection and then passing it on to the operator, who gathered it in capably. [133] “Send this c’lect too, I s’pose,” she called after the car as it departed. “Yes, all right, anything,” answered Lyman Gage, wearily sinking back in the seat. “It doesn’t matter, anyway.” “You are sick!” said Mary Amber anxiously; “and we are going to get right home. Miss Marilla will be wild.” The soldier sat up holding his precious check. “I’ll have to ask you to let me out,” he said, trying to be dignified under the heavy stupor of weariness that was creeping over him. “I’ve got to get to a bank.” “Oh, must you, to-day? Couldn’t we wait till to-morrow or till you feel better?” asked Mary anxiously.
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