The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-12-29

Then taking her little hand thin, an,
colorless almost as snow flake, he hel,
it very tightly, sitting down and bend
ing towards her as she lay among tn
purple cushions, gazing into her face
and drinking in Of its swee tness.
If you were not so weak, Alice !
there was meaning in his voice be
yond the mere expression of regret. AL
ice felt this and as she tightened hel
hand in his, answered. @
IF / were not s4-Esak what then
Howard q
His mouth grew serious. He looked
at her for little while, and then his
eyes dropped to the floor. -7
What then 2 She pressed him for
an answer.
would GO from you little while.
tie saw her start. But instead oil
grief or pain, smile lay on her lips.
Where p
He stood up drawing his form erect.
am man, strong, and Of full stat.
ure.'
She did not answer, but her eyes
were in his face.
Do you understand me, Alice p His
voice was just little unsteady. He sat
down again taking the hand he had re
linquished moment before.
Il think So She spoke very evenly.
When our country calls upon US, Al
ice, God calls
l believe it, she answered.
1t has called upon me-has been
calling for months. The summons is In
my ears dry and night, and without sin
| can no longer remain disobedient But
how can go, and you SO weak, so fral ?
Oh, Alice, it is not that love has dimin
iohed, but the call Of duty grows more
and more trumpet-like every hour
You speak truly, Howard was the
frmly-given answer. When our coun-
try calls upon us, God calls. | have
heard the voice, and recognizing it as
the voice OF God, have looked up, asking
what can | do {? l. so weak, so helpless
just ready 10 be blown away by a
breath--not able to minister even to my
own needs. Oh, | have trembled in ey-
cry nerve with excess of desire to res
pond
Let me take of your spirit, darling 7
said the young man bending down to
her until his breath was on her cheeks.
Let me lift from your weak shoulders
the burden of active duty, and lay il up
on my own. Strengthen me with thy
love Say to me. Go forth, and offer
the service of two hearts. am ready to
bear your gage of honor to the battle.
field as a true and loyal knight
No fear came upon her heart God
was giving Eer strength for the hour
Her face grew warm, and the shrunken
flesh, infilled by stronger pulsations,
seemed TO round with the fulnesss oil
health.
Go forth she answered. and may
God give you courage and endurance
The sick girl laid her head upon the
bosom Of her lover, and in the enthusiasm
Of the hour was happy.
But did not her steps falter as she
moved along this new path of duty
No Her love of country was genuine,
and the ardor that flowed from this love
no evanescent heat. For herself, she
knew that her steps were daily descend
ing to the river of death, and that in q
short time she would be among the en-.
comprising waves. Over the river faith
saw the land Of immortals and the shin
ing ones on the bank ready to receive
her soul. She had conquered the hu'
man weakness that would hold her love
by her side, and in sanity strength Civ
en- him to his country in the hour Q
need
How brave he looked in his uniform
how strong-how manly Pride twioec
itself with her love. Never word o
weakness-never look OF pain-never
hindering tear. But always an inspiring
strength. She hardly seemed 10 him
frail, dying woman, but beautiful spir
it, pointing the way through danger t'
duty.
The time of parting came, Alice hat
not dared TO trust herself to think Of thi
hour. Would size have strength for III,
trial? Strength of Spirit? Yes. Blu
the heart would beat faster and stronge
with human emotions and The frail bod
might not bear the stratu.
Gods love and Gods strength Z
with you, Howard ? She tried TO b
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