To be sure, all the boys made much of her and petted her-- for there
was not one of them who had not competed for her favor in the old days
before Allen had shouldered them all out-- but no amount of attention
from any one else could make up for one little word from Allen.
At each sunrise she awoke thrilling with the thought that perhaps
Allen would be with her before the sun went down. And as each evening
came without him she sighed and thought, "Perhaps to-morrow."
Since the tragic death of Professor Dempsey they felt that they need
no longer fear the woods, although they never ventured near the river
or the falls without a heartache and the fervent wish that they might
have reached the poor demented man with the glad news of his sons'
safety in time to avert the tragedy.
However, they did enjoy their liberty, and took long tramps with the
boys through the woods and picnicked with them beside little
unexpected brooks and streams, quite in the nature of old days.
Then at last came the day when the boys announced that they would have
to return to town and to the military camp to obtain their formal
discharge from the army.
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