The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-03-11

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tagging convalescence. A fire young fel,
low that-very. We surgeons are COM
monty supposed 10 have no feelings, Miss
Clara but | can tell you it went to my
heart to take that boys hand off. How
ever-but bless me it's nearly noon. Be
sure you take care of yourself, Miss Msr-
vyn 7" and away hurried DR.. Wilde, who
never knew what it was to have a mo-
ment's leisure
Clara was left alone, her head dropping
on her breast. The next instant she rose
up and looked at her own slender right
hand with shuddeIing, sobbing sigh.
"Oh, if | could have given nay useless
hand to save his - she moaued. "If |
had but the right to cheer and comfort
him All me what can woman do but
endure -
Clara was learning hard lesson in
lifes saddest school-to suffer and be ST.
lent.
"Mlss Mervyn!'
She started at the words. He had
never called her "Clara" since their part
luS uuUef lue luuSu-tTS65.
"Are you very busy tonight"
"Not particularly 80 why do you ask?"
"Then come and sit beside my pillow
for little while. | feel conversational
just now"
She obeyed silently.
care you better this evening, Lieut..
Audley 2"
Il think so. The red, glorious sunset
has done me good. Did you know that
this was St. Valentines Eve 2"
"The 18th of February--so it is F"
"Do you believe in the goodly Offices
of St. Valentine, Miss Mervyn? l as
sure you nay faith is limitless in the pat
ron saint of lovers -
Clara smiled as she remembered all the
timeworD valentines" she kept under
lock and key at home.
81 confess to little superstition in the
subject" she SAID, coloriug, for she felt
that Clinton's eyes were fixed on her
dowpcast lashes.
"Very well, then; you won't consider
me mawkishly sentimental if | ask you
to be SO kind as to act as my right hand
for once"
81 should be so glad. But how"
"WiIl you write St. Valentines love
letter for NE 2"
"Cerrainly."
"Stop, though |! Answer me one ques-
tion first, frankly and fully. Do you think
it would be piece of presumptuous folly
ln me to ask a woman's love to bless a
maimed, useless wretch like me Nay do
not spare my feelings. wish to hear
th3 TRUTH"
Clara Mervyn was silent for moment;
and when she spoke it was in distinct,
though very lew tone.
"lf the woman you love be worthy of
the name, you will be far dearsr to ber
how than ever you were in the prime of
health and strength"
"You have taken a great weight frouI
ny heart, Miss Mervyn; and now will
you assume the role of amenuensis 7"
Writing love-let;er for Clinton Aud
ley to another womau-it was strange
duty-yet Clara Mervyn went through
with it with sort of mechanical calm.
ness, needless OF the sore heart that aohed
SO bitterly in her breast, while every word
seemed the knell of death warrant. I'll
was the bitterest cup she had drunk vet
"a cup that must be swallowed to the
dregsI
Thank you, Miss Mervyn. I won't
trouble you to direct it. All, if | were
but certain that St.Valentine would speed
my suit !"
He smiled but it would Lave been
difficult to tell which was the paler-the
cheek that lay against the pillows of the
hospital pallet, or that shadowed by Clara
Mervyn's brown .resses
She gave him the folded letter, with
its earnest words of pleading, and then
went away to her own room; for, fortu
nately, the might watch, as it was called,
had been con6ded to another. And only
the quiet stars saw the convulsive bursts
of grief that shook her frame ere at last
she sobbea herself to sleep, her flushed
cheek lying on her drenched hair, and
the lips quivering in her dreams
How gloriousl y the crimson banners of
Vslentiue's dawn were draped along the
sky waen at length she opened her eyes
how radiantly the morning lighted up
those blue, far-of hills ! Unconscously
her lips formed themselves into a smile,
and theu-ah, then the old pangs of heart
ache came back TO her!
She was nearly dressed before her eyes
fell upon tiny bunch of violets, dew
besprinkled and fragrant, that lay on her
toilet-table-shc caught it up with an
exclamation of delight, and note fell
from its blue heart-a note directed in a
strange, struggling hand.