The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1863-07-17
StIett Talt.
Tan LOST FOUND.
ny RUFUS HARE.

l was IN the St0re-rOOm OF tne I1osPlt-
al. rolling bandages, when Mrs. Denham
knocked at the door, and asked if she
might help me. This woman was an
enigma. Tall powerful made, with a
dark face almost masculine in its rugged
character, she has been at the hospital
night and day for the past six months
Always collected, always on the alert
never paling at blood or shrinking from
an ugly wound, she was truly an efficient
aid. ....s ..'.. -...-. v-....
But her tacturnity was the marvel
, Tn the whole six months l had scarcely
heard her speak as many words with
her black dress, and her expression OF
profound melancholy, she went about her
work like statue, and no one questioned
her. ...
Standing opposite to her, this day. roll,
ing the bandages, l heard her sigh heaVl'
ly. l looked up at her. Our eyes met
!, Hers were dry and burning, but her fea'
lures worked strongly as with an inward
spasm. l have seen mems faces cohVui-
sed after that fashion when something
was wringing their hearts--but never a
woman's.
She dropped the linen and sank into a
chair pressing her hands dlstractedly to
her head. Every gesture spoke some
uncomfortable agony. '
my good woman" said l. with SYM
pathy, .'you are either very i'll, or very
unhappy. What can l do for you?"
"Nothing," was the abrupt answer. And
rising. she made an effort to resume hel
work. But her strong hands shook like
child's. took it from her and made
her sit down again. ,Ha
"You are not fit for it just now. You
burden, whatever it is, is too heavy fo
YOU to bear alone Let me share 1t Will
YOU" .
She looked up at me almost hercely.
"why should L? You have neve
been mother-you would not under
stand it," .ue yt .a, sB.
!, My hand was upon her arm. .sna
"You are mistaken, Mrs. Denham.
was a widow, and childless one, when
entered the Sisterhood."
|. She grasped my hand in her strong
brown ones and looked at me with sin
gular tenderness. . ..... .-..l,...
@ "Listen then. l had a son an only son
This is the anniversary of his DEATH ii
II was killed at Balls Bluff" H atA
10 She sank her chin upon her bres
breathing hard, but without q tear
Words are empty things. l pressed he
hand and said nothing. 7g 10 a'fHn-
1t "Nor was that all, nor the worst 81
A. went on in hard dry way. 81 had ais
10 daughter" aa aa49S .aa.
Il II A long pause. os '7- .'a @
" nWho is also dead 2" asked. softly
She dashed her clenched hands pa
sionately on her knee, and looked up at n
with blood shot eyes. m a7
= "You ask me more than can ahswe
., She disappeared the day he was ourr'e
| have never seen her since. t,.-
"Nor heard of her, poor woman!
Nor heard of her. She was very pa
sionate, my girl was. and impulsNe.-
er Sometimes l think" she said, lookir
m down musingly, "that she made way VII
herself; sometimes, again e szia
There was rap at the door, and the Sc
geon put in his head.
"Sister Bernordine, l want YOU g
, an "What is it?' tGh ei.al '2 ,-i0aa
He beconed me out Of the room. p
"There is an unmanageable case
eiy Ward A. You must come and look
m.
,ti him." sUatl
ns. =. Ayfresh load Of sick and wounded hi
8, come in that afternoon and as we wal
's- 'r ed along, he told me the "uInllmnapnagear Illn
y, y, case'' was among them. sa fsuut-
"The nurses had a time with hun. 1
would submit to nothing. A striking
m handsome man, by the way, or rather b
"a. s for he is beardless and badly wounde
es from atl accounts" laas's aI {iia sd
es tes "Could not Judge for yourself ~ sa
I. ,.l..'.;'..
ii "That is the point" he replied. som
{ what annoyed /; she would not Jet T