Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-01-14

Of earnest, manly talk, then a few words
in voice full of tears, then again the
low manly tones; and then, after while,
Mr.. Keere led his sister 10.
"Miss Barclay" he said here 10 your
protege. She quite understands your po-
sition as regards her, md | hope she
will exact little, and not make you mush
trouble"
Hates warm heart overfowed instant
". She put her arm round the shy, trem
bling Girl, and drew hey to her side.
She whispered:
Il have no mother, dear, and no SIS
ter l shall need you much as you need
me. Let us love one another"
Mr.. Keeno did not hear tho whisper,
but he saw the quick blush Of pleasure
flush his sisters cheek, and the eonfling
gesture with which her hand stole into
her friends. and he was satisfied.
ave neel not detain Miss Barclay any
longer" he said gently. Il will walk
home with her now. This afternoon |
shall be busy, but will come to you
again this evening
There were few words spoken during
the short walk, but when they were part
ing on Miss Barclays doorsteps she gave
her hand to Richard Keene, and said,
earnestly, "do not doubt that all can
10 Cor your sister will be labor of love.
There has been vacant place in my
heart, lonely longing for some one to
care for, and she viii fill it. "If-her
eyes flied with tears-"if anything
should happen, she shall be as near to
me az she would have been to you.
Richard Keene pressed the hand he
held. II believe you" he said Emily
is good child. You will not fad in
her GOODNESS or ingratitude.''
That evening Kate Barclay sat alone.
living over in thought the parting which
she knew was taking place, farcying how
these two, who were all the world to
each other, would say good bye-a good
bye which might, all too possibly, be for
ever. She almost ropented of her own
doing-not quite-for she knew her
soldiers heart was in his work, and she
felt that if he had been her own brother
she could have sent him forth cheerfuly.
She was not dealing to another such
measure as she would not have borne to
have dealt to herself.
1t was a little past nine o'clock when
the bell rang, and the servant announced
Mr.. Keene She had not expected aft
their bargain was made to sec him again ;
but she was glad after all that h should
have reckoned her among those to whom
it become him to say farewell. He came
in rs calm and self possessed as ever.
81 have been bidding Emily good
bye" he said as he sat down. Il had
to leave her at nine o'clock. and | thought
| might venture 10 come to you. a fter
all, it is by your means that [ 60, and
that makes a sort Of tie between us; a
bond which it would be presumptation
to call friendship, and yet which will
make one think Of you when | am gone"
Kate had not tue courage to tell him
that his young sisters thoughts would
scarcely follow him with a. more constant
atorost than her own. She asked him
instead how Emily had borne the par
ting.
"Brayely" he answered. "He knew,
the chid's heart had been almost broken
but she had kept back any utterance of
complaint or lamentation, whose memory
might have unneryed him when the hour
came to test his courage.
Then there was silence between them
for few moments, and he was the first
to break it.
81 will tell you honestly why came
here to night, Miss Barclay. | have
been thinking how possible it was that |
might never come back, and if that hap
pened feared You might regret Tint
Won sent me away. / wanted to guard
against your yexjng yourself with any
such needless sorrow. 1t was tic one
longing Of my heart to 90, and if | could
have effected it in any other way should
have done so long ago. Como what
may, shall never be sorry. I have but
one life, and there is nothing else I
would like 50 we'll to do with it. rs to
give it to my country. / can trust Emily
to you without fear, aud she was all l
had to keep me back. In any event, l
want you should be thankful, as | shall
be, that You helped me to CO."
Hates tears weIe choking her. How
manly he was how unseIf8h, trying,
even IN this last hour, to shield her whoaa
he scarcely knew, from a possible pang!
She could not speak, but she put out her
hand. He took it tenderly.
81 ain going now" he said, his eyes
resting on her as if he longed to sooth
away Der tears, as if he might have done
his sisters God keep you, Miss Barclay,
and give me strength to fight valantly in
the cause for which you have sent II G
forth to do batte!"
Before she could speak the God bless
YOU. p which trembled on her lips, he
was gone. Would she ever see him
again--her soldier?
The next Saturday the princil,aI Of the
establishment ut Gramercy Park was
summoned to an interview with Miss
Barclay latter lady explained
briefly the relation of protectoress in
which she stood to Miss Emily Keene,
and expressed her desire that thereafter
her ward should spend all her vacations
and every Sunday at her house. The
poor, solitary. bereavcd child was glad
enough to 60 home with her; and that
L