Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-04-18

that tOucn coiJufeu HIS soul 10 us lips.
At any rate he said what be meant not
to say.
.You are not all to me that I oace
hoped you would be, Ethel; but YOU are
nv friend. are you not? You viii think
of NE sometimes, aud be sorry for re
little if | fall Z"
.Yon will moi fall" Ethel said reSo-
IutoIy, forcing back the tears that threat
ened to choke her. Il shall think of
you. and beproud of my friend.
fl do not come" he said wringing
her hand as he turned away, God bless
YOU. | have no. changet, IN my estlma-
ton of Won because your heart would not
let you be altogether mIne."
He went away with these words, and
then Ethef knew how she had loved him.
The next day eame---the soldiers were
gone. and Ethel Darricott tried to take
up cheerfnIy the remnant of life which
was left her. The best half and the
dearest, she felt was gone with him; but
much remained to do, somewhat even TO
rejoice in. She was not more exacting
of Others than she was of herself. To
have yielded idly to her grief would have
been false to her ideal. Even her own
father saw no change in her.
So the months passed on for more
than wear, even to the terrible six days
fighting before Richmond. In all this
Capt. Revere had never been seriously
wounded, a.d had never left the post of
duty. Our men took fulIoughs--som
on Slight pretext-and came home: he
never. Perhaps he felt that he bad no
true home and hope to lure him north
ward, and SO grew reckless Of life.
But at last fate ard the rebels were to
strong for HIM. In the battle of Center
vile he lost an arm, and was severely
wounded besides, in the hip. The hos
pitfalls were full, and as soon as he could
bear moving he was sent home. 1t was
some weeks before he could walk at all,
and then he was told that sea air would
help to recruit his exhausted energies,
and he set of to Newport. Perhaps be
went the more willingly because he knew
/ that the Darrcotts bad a summer cottage
| there, and in bis secret heart he was con
scious of desire to see Ethel again.
He bad been III Newport q week he
fore he called on her. He trusted to
meet her first by some accident. But
| she was evidently very retired He con-
| ciuled that fortune was not on his side;
and IS he really wanted to see her very
much, gave over waiting for lucky
chances, and 60 there
She was alone when his card was
brought to her. She knew Of his wound:
/ knew what changes 10 expect in seeing
/ him. She stayed ID her room long
enoue h TO fortifY herself, and make sure
thot she would tetray 40 uncalled for
emotion With her manner schooIeI to
mere friendIiness she went down. Her
self command almost failed her as he met
her with halting step, and she saw the
empty coat sleeve hanging ut his side
Il vas so pittul to note the decay Of tho
fiue vigorous manly strength to think
Of the good right arm tl,at he would
never use more.
II am al home for good now" he said
with AN evident etfrrt to bear himself
cheertully. ut is a great disappoint
ment. | had So hoped to be able 10 help
on the good cause till it reached the tri-
umphant end which is sure to come"
Then YOU have no doubt of Tie fnnj
result g. Ethel asked, forcing herself to
speak, and knowing that she could Dot
trust her voice On any subject less gen
eraI
Not a doubt! The great cause of hu-
man liberty is not to receive its death
blow in dis land or this day. The
world has been tending for centuries to-
ward This eliminating point. The bat
tie is not between the Norlh and South
merely, but between anarchy and gov
ernmeut, honor aud dishonof, right and
wrong. Oar country is only the great
! battle ground for the conf Ict Of al eyes.
Do YOU thiuk that in sucl, an epoch the
right could fail"
Ethel's face kindIed in response to bis
eager glance. Then she looked at bis
arm, and sighed rs she said softly:
How much it costs"
ave set small value. Won know, on
that which we do not buy dear" he an
swered with that grand, brave smile of
bis 81 think no price could be too
great to ray. ! would have given life as
gave what | did, but that is not so
much for man to say who has no ties
to make life precious"
Would YOU have STAYED at home if
had answered YOU differently that night?
Ethel couIi never tell how she came to
ask that question. The words seemed to
utter themselves without her volition She
could have bitten her tongue off for
speaking them.
He looked ut her little surprised per-
haps, yet not di<pIeased, for the kindness
of his smile did not change. and his voice
was almost tender as he replied:
mo, should not have stayed at home
even in that case. Duty is duty just as
much when man has evrything to make
it hard to do it, as when great disapoint
ment makes all sacrifices easy. And yet
might not have been so fearless in he
hour Of danger if had thought there
was one at home whose heart and life
were linked SO indissolubly to mine
- who knows?"
He had spoken the last words musing