The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-11-06
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, NOV. 6, 1863.

hc asked, an hour or 50 later, rs he entered
the somewhat stylish little jowelry store in
the main street Of the town. "Yes? Then
1t is oil right, and I may just Us we'll settle
the bill"
He tossed ifty.dollar Treasury note on
the counter as he spoke.
~ hardly like to part with that money"
he laughed. "The fact is, I've kept it about
me 80 long that 1t seems almost like lucky
penny. However, there it goes-hand over
your receipt"
He dashed the bit Of paper into his pocket
book with the quickness that characterized
oil his motions, and walked out again whist.
ling the low refrain that made sort Of com.
pany for his solitude.
1t was nearly midnight-thc air dewy and
sultry, and tho stars blazing in the violet
concave of hoaven--yet Captain Werner still
sat in his balcony, idly looking out upon
the summer night, with the faint fragrance
Of his segar wreathed about him. Was he
thinking about Clara Delford, Or
"Half past eloven-high time I was
asleep" sollloquized tho Captain, at length,
giving his scgar toss into the quiet street
below, and entering the room where shaded
lamp cast circle Of subdued light on heaps
of disordered papers.
"Hallo-what's this?" he said half aloud,
taking up q tiny note that lay lightly on the
top. "This is new arrival in my chaos Of
documents, or I'm mistaken"
Tho direction, "Captain vcrncr," was in
q strange handwriting-nor did tho contents
afford any clew. Nothing appeared further
than fifty.dollar note wrapped in q bit Of
paper on which was pcnciled these words {:
"For the soldiers"
"Clara Delford again !" was Verner's first
exclamation. "What splendid creature
that is."
The next glance, however. discovered new
ground Of conjecture and perplczity-ho
held the note in full glare Of the lamp, turn
ing it eagerly from side to side.
~ thought couldn't bo mistaken" he
muttered; it is tile very note I paid at At.
kinson's to.night-hero aro my initials, e
w. in the corner. Now, how on earth"
He paused, apparently in deep thought.
"vcry provoking that I can't find out to-
night" he murmured "but I'll 90 to At
kinson's the first thing in tho morning"
The early dew was yet weighing down the
half blown roses in the simple garden, when
Captain Werner entered the jewelry store
where ho had purchased tho set Of onyx for
his mother.
"what can do for you this morning,
Captain?" inquired the brisk little jcwcler,
rs ho came forward, rubbing his smooth,
white hands.
"A great deal, Mr.. Atkinson; you can
tell mo to whom you paid out this Treasury
note last night"
He laid the mysterious "greenback" on
the glass counter Atkinson took it up and
scrutinized Il closely, then referred to his
books.
"Certainly can" he said: al purchased
a very beautiful pearl ring from n lady yes
terday evening, and paid for 1t with that
very identical bill"
"a pearl ring tho simple words seemed
to throw him off the scent again. The jew.
eler unlocked his show case, and took out
small violet velvet case, lined with white
silk, in which glimmered pearl Of suppass-
ing beauty, set in plain gold circlet.
"There It is." he sand. "Ten years ago
sent to New York for that very ring, ordered
by DR.. Moore as birthday gift for his little
daughter, then just twelve years DID,"
"Dr. Moore !" repeated Werner.
"Yes. Times are sadly changed now. yet
did not suppose that Miss Mildred would
ever have been induced to part with that
favorite jewell-the only relic, may ven.
turc to say, she has ever retained of her
wcalthier days"
Captain Werner looked down at the ring
through strange unwonted mist. How
different was this silent sacrifice Of sweet
memories and old associations to Clara Del.
ford's ostentatious gift from her ovcraowing
Golfers "Silver and gold have none but
such as I haveI give theo." These words
camo to him like revelation of Mildred
Moore's nature.
Only nine o'clock, but not too early for
Mildred Moro to be watering her sweet peas
and geraniums in the cottage garden. Nay,
so busy was she with tiny pink blossom
which had broken from its fastening, that
she never heard approaching Footsteps until
Captain Verner's shadow fell rcross the flow.
er border. Then she started up, with large.
dilated eyes, like those Of q frightened fawn,
and carmine burning In her usually colorless
cheeks.
"Captain Vcrner"'
"Do not be startled, Miss Mildred, ;" he
said, with gentle, rcamuring accents. 81
have only called to thank you for your kind
donation to the sick soldiers
She claspcd her hands ever her flushed
face.
| uJ hoo vour nardon did not tb;nk-1