THE LADY OF THE DECORATION by ANON

LONDON : HODDER & STOUGHTON : 1913 : NINETEENTH EDITION

SAN FRANCISCO, JULY 30, 1901  ...  My dearest Mate - Behold a soldier on the eve of battle! I am writing this in a stuffy little hotel room, and I don't dare stop whistling for a minute. You could cover my courage with a postage stamp. In the morning I said for the Flowery Kingdom, and if the roses are waiting to strew my path it is more than they have done here for the past few years. When the train pulled out from home, and I saw that crowd of loving, tearful faces fading away, I believe that for a few moments I realized the actual bitterness of death. I was leaving everything that was dear to me on earth, and going out into the dark unknown - alone. Of course it's for the best; the disagreeable always is. You are responsible, my beloved cousin, and the consequences be on your head. You thought my salvation lay in leaving Kentucky and seeking my fortune in strange lands. Your tender sensibilities shrank from having me exposed to the world as a young widow who wasn't sorry. So you 'shipped me somewheres East of Suez' and tied me up with a four year contract.

A smashing little book, in reasonable condition. No foxing or markings. Previous owner's details inside front cover.

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