The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-09-25


jolt, louder shrek, and the'sound Of bell.
"They're going to stop, they're going to
stopv' cried Faith. wild with excitement.
There was sudden rush-the crowd surg
ed up around the passengers waiting plat
form.
"Train stops five minutes" shouted a
stentorian voice from the tender.
ooh! Natalie, they are getting out" with
terrible squeeze of my hand. "See, there's
John Green, and Will Gray, and Nelson
Sprague. Come, come with me; must
speak to him, he'll wan! to send last word
to Rose-she is sick, you know. Hurry
dear" And she dragged me along with her
through the crowd.
Suddenly she paused irrcsolutely.
"Oh Natalie there is Cloudy Carroll =
Shall we 60 back ?"
But had seen him first, and though I
grew deadly faint, could not stop.
"No, Faith, you run on; I'll take care OF
myself"
She gave me searching glance. My face
was calm, though very white.
"Well then, I'll be back in a minute; you
know they haven't but Ave to stay" And
she was off like shot.
Then I crept through the crowd, crouch
ing almost out Of sight, till stood behind
him. must hear his voice once more, if l
died for it.
He wore a captains uniform, and was lis
tening to some poor fellow whose voice was
tremulous with emo ton.
"This is terrible, captain--this having it
all over again. Itjust upsets the poor fel-
lows completely. think it would drive me
crazy to go through another parting this at.
te,noon. Thank God it's all over for me-
and for you too, guess; isn't itw
"Over?" he said, and his voice was saddel
than had ever imagined il could be-that
voice once so full of cheer and joyousness
"Yes, Wilson, 1t is more than over with me
for it has had no beginning. have had nc
ones heart to break in coming away; fol
there is no one, believe, in the world just
now who would care to give 'God-speed and
Good by to Cloudlesly Carroll 1"
."Your parents, captain, don't they"
"They are dead, Wilson,"
"And you're not married!"
"No; nor ever shall bel You see am
one of those poor, unfortunate odd-fellows o.
creation whom nobody owns" And he
laughed almost bitterly
His companion turned away with sigh
Then something-I know not what--im
PEELED me to steal closer, and lay my hand
softly on his arm.
"Cloudy r.
He turned, with great start.
"Nataliel Miss Elmer! You here g'
"Yes want to say 'Good-by' and God
speed to you, Cloudy"
He seized my outs.retched hand, and hi.
lips quivered,
Nothing else?"
i "Yes 4 want to ask your forgiveness fo
the great wrong did you in never givini
you chance to clear yourself from the Sian
ders of those who hated you."
His face grew radiant.
"Then you know the truth at last?" Hi
eyes were seeking mine, now. in way tha
made my lids drop and my cheeks fusl
rosily. "And, knowing it, can you say no
thing else?'
i "Ycs," said, very softly, but his cage
ear caught each syllable; "yes, that il yo
can forgive me and love me again, and wi
| take back what you said, while ago, abou
, never marrying-I-- T."
"God bless you, Natalie, my dsrlingl"
And there, in broad daylight, in the fac
} OF at least three hundred inquisitive neigh
: bors, and more than three times that nun
! Der Of strange soldiers, he drew me to hir
and kissed ne twice upon the lips. Howeve
{ there were partings equally feryent going o
/! all around us, SO no one noticed us only
!; saw Faiths eyes, cilated with amazcmcn