Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-11-16


around again Sybil was gone
Footsors and weary, the travel-worn
pedestrian had sat himself down on a
mossy boulder by the read side, when 3
quick, light footstsp came up a little BY
path, leading from the back door ef the
farm house, through blackberry pastures
and mown fields, and slight figure bent
above him.
Do not mind my fathers words; he
was angry and unreasonable she said
hurriedlJ. have little to give, but |
want you to take it for the sake of nv
soldier brothsr,'
Before he could speak she had unfas-
tened from her neck blue ribbon with
tiny gold piece suspended from it, plac.
ed it in his hand, and was gliding away
acrsss the fields like sope little gray nun,
in her sobsr-hue dress. lie rose up, as
II to follow and ovsrtake her, but it was
too late, and as he bent his head ever
the cleaning token, something very like
a tear dropped upon its circlet of tiny
stars
And now tell us everything that has
happened to you, Laurence Oh, Lau-
renee, when | -waked this morning it
seemed all dream that you had come
back to us again in very truth 49,.
The bronzed, handsome young soldier
looked smiinsly down in the radiant
face that nestled against bis shoulder,
and a serious shadow stole into hi. eyes.
can tell you Sybil it came yery near
being something more than dream"
oncsaor twice | have had moro hair
breadth 'scapss than YOU know of, little
sister. | did not tell you, did /, Of the
ngnt at Gettysburg, where / stood face
70 lace wltheDeath-and ugly death, too.
hatt becoms separated from the com.
mand, and was set upon by two athletic
Yankees, when some brave csAarade rush.
educ and saved my life
w no was it Laurence 2 said cid Silas
with trembling lip and dilated ewes
l wsuld give my best wheat field for i
chance to grasp that risha hand
II doh't knoy--I nsvl. Go, oa
nut aaaEn. Probably he WAS il SOM
qther regiment. Ali know is that he
had fiery black eyes, and an old scar on
ms forehead, shaped exactly like Moor
ish crescent
And a straight nsse, and heavy
black noustachep 7 interrupted his sister.
Exactly
Father, said sybil, turning with
sparkling eyes and crimson cheek to
where Slas Miller sat, the WANDERING
soldier whom ysu turned from your door
last night was the man who saved our
Laurence's life
silss rose up from his chair and took
an uneasy turn across the room and back,
his iron features working strangely.
1t can't be helped now he said, in
trsmulous voice; but it's the l.st soldier
LII ever send with empty hands from this
door. Ihs man vino saved our Lam
rence's life! Os, Sybil if had only
listened to your wordsr
But she never spoke of the little s0,tpe
mr. ,ot gold She fanciod it mightseem
ike ostcntations this shy, iastidous little
wild flower Of the valley.
Ny STbil going to be married amsnr
the dne folks down in Richmond? ? well, !
sposs | might have expected it, and vet
1t does seam kind O hard soliloQuizsd
S'las Miller dropping the happy, timid
letter in his lap, and looking ont through
dimmsd spectaclss upon the snowy,
sun bright hills. / wonder who it is
should ike to ses ths man that's going
TO marry Sybil Miller
Silas would have bsen a proud man
could ne havFbshsld his pretty daughter
that self same night in hsr vhits evening
dress, with scarlet gsraniums lighting vi,
her browu hair and CLOWN. on hsr DO
som. No wonder that Captain Le<lis'>
face frightened with grsya quiet pride
as he looked down on his fair oetrothed
Sit down here, do.rest, in Ghis quiet
little musIc-roorl,' he said, with c1ress-
ing authority, I carft share your swe.
eyes ana sweetsr words with all the worlo
any longer. must have you all to my
self for while
She looked up with a blushiny snil.
then down again. .s.. e
Well? ? he asked, as ifshc had spoken.
WAS wondering, Allea-that scar OF.
your forehesdp
What of it?' @ |
Why, it is such singular shape
almost half circle. | never saw but one
like il before
Did not yon? And where was that :
A poor so.disr passed opr gate once
with just such scar on his forehead.
! and
! She paused, for Allen Leslie had oui-
ctly taken from some inn.r receptacle j.,
nus coat tiny pieco OF .>oid with mar
! row blue ribbon naSseI tI.ron~b IL ~