Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-10-30

ny--"And I told him would not pray
for himl" Each with the one purpose
of fastening to her hero. h
Miss Gage did not delay. She put
on her bonnet and went at once 10 his
mothers house. Mrs. Dare received
her coldly.
81 do not understand your coming
here now" she began. II su 10 too
much trouble to receive visitors. Do
you not know-hsve you not beard-r'
Every thing. Cant you see that
It Is Killing me? Even though you are
his mother. you would forgive me II
you kneS what have Suffered. i love
him. ] did love him all the while. I
must, 1 viii go to him. I must hear
him speak my pardon before he dies. %
Mrs. Dare's warm, inpulsive heart
sofiened to the poor, shgdish-tofh
creature. who sank imploringiJ on the
floor at her feet. She kneli down be-
side her and folded her arms round
her, and raised her up.
"You shall go. Clara; you shall go
with me. and I pray God that we may
yet look upon his face again in shis
life's life. The train leaves at FOUR
Can you be resdyf" .e
"You will find me waiting for you a.
the depot"
Itwas well for Clara Gage that she
had q proud woman's fortitude. Once
assured that she might 60 to him. she
did not suffer her limbs to tremble,s or
her face to betray her. With step as
lofty as ever she went home. She met
her father going up the steps. ''
"Father," she said. speaking with
the calmness OF one all whose plans
are 6xed-"Devereux is dangerously
wounded. and l am going TO him. /
shall start at four with Mrs. Dare"
Seldom is woman in any position
more entirely her own mistress than
was Miss Gage. Her father never
thought Of disputing her will. or in
terfering with her purposes. Moreover.
he had never been informed Of the dis
solution Of her engagement. and
thought II hut natural that she should
resolve 10 go 10 her lover.g She en-.
ccuntered no opposition from him,
therefore, but rather help. Hurriedly
her preparations were made, and when
Mrs. Dare reached the station she found
her companion waiting for her.
1t was midnight Of the second day
when. after long travel and many de-
lays, they reached the hospital. for
8 moment Mrs. Dare held parley With
the surgeon.
WAS it safe to go TO him? Would
he know them? Where was his wound?
Clara Gage listened for the reply.
clasping Mrs. Dare's arm with her ner-
vous fingers till it ached.
Eyes. they might see him and tend
him; it would do no harm; but he
would not know them, he was delirious.
besides, a severe wound 10 his chest"
"Was there any bope?"
"a little-there might be chance
for him with good nursing. It5ooked
more like it now than it did two days
ago."
Then they went to his bedside
those two women who loved hi
He lay there, bis cheeks fus d, his
eyes wild with fever. He was talking
incoherently--living over again. as it
seemed. the brave charge in which he
had fallen. At last be murmured, in
tender tones.
You said you would pray for me.
mother. Are you praying for your boy
now7" .tg
Then, indeed, tears rained from his
mothers eyes as she stood bending over
him. But Miss Gage could not weep;
had she not said she would not pray for
him? ........
For days they tended him--almost
il seemed, without sleep or rest; hard
ly knowing. In their anxiety, whether
II was one day or many. There were
slow steps from despair toward hope;
and BY .and-by there came an afternoon
when he locked at them with calm eyes,
and spoke to them in his own voice.
"Mother, you here7 This makes
home in strange land. And Clara--?'
Miss Gage was not too proud then to
sink on her knees by the bedside, and
her voice shook 40 with her sobs that
he could hardly hear her say. -,
"Forgive me-oh. can you? did
not mean it when I said you were my
enemy. asd I would not pray for you
hate prayed for you. Devereu1."
"And / have forgiven you. Clara
Not at first, though; the sense Of wrong
was too bitter then. It was just be-
fore that last charge. The bullets were
raining thick, and I knew it was sr
even chance whether l came out Of 1
alive. Then l thought OF you. re-
membeted how had loved you. tn,
bitterness went ont Of my heart, anG
that mighty love surged back. Wher
the rest shouted their waf-ery ! only
cried 'ClarsP and on we swept"
mo more taking. ladies. unless yot
would lose again all We have gained
It was the surgeons voice, as h
went his round. and It put an end Il
conversation that gste back to Clsr'
Gage hope and youth.
It was not until they bad been abl'
to remove the beloved patient BY easl
stages to Boston that anything was salt
about the future. Then. one day. b
} drew from his bosom ring fastened Z
his neck BY blue ribbon. 9s
Unite IL. Clara"