The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-20
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. MARCH 20 1863

praised and still he was unframed. She
began to believe that the ball was not yet
cast which should work him woe; and at
times, when she thought of the future, a
sweet, scarcely recognized hope began to
tlutter its wings tremblingly in her heart.
Grace might not have been right, after ALL
He might come back yet, and say over
again the words for whose remembered
music the soul thirsted
But at last fate and the rebels were too
strong for him. In the battle of Center
vile he lost an arm, and was severely
wounded besides, in the hip. The hospit-
ais were full; and as soon as he could bear
moving he was sent home. 1t was some
weeks before he could walk at all, and
then he was told that the sea air would
help him recruit his exhausted energies,
and sent off by his physician to Newport.
Perhaps he went more willingly because
he knew the DarricOtts had summer cot
tage there, and in his secret heart he was
conscious of longing to see Ethel again.
And yet Grace had been right when she
OWNED that he would never ask Il second
time the question he had asked on that
February night. To have been twice re-
jected by the same woman would have
been moral impossibility. He hardly
knew himself why he wanted to see her,
or what vague hope he had. .l..
He had been in Newport week before
he called on her. He had trusted to meet
ing her first by some accident. But she
was evidently very retired. He concluded
that fortune was not on his side, and as
he had really wanted to see her very much,
gave over waiting for lucky chances, and
went there.
She was alone when the card was brought
to her. She knew of his wound--knew
what changes to expect in seeing him.
She sat in her own room long enough to
fortify herself. and make sure that she
would betray no uncalled for emotion.
With face and manner schooled to mere
friendliness, she went down. Her self
command almost failed her as he came to
meet her with hating step, and she saw
the empty coat-sleeve hanging at his side
1t was SO pitiful to note the decay Of that
fine, vigorous manly strength-to think Of
the good right arm that he would never
use more.
81 am home for good now" he said,
with an evident effort to bear himself
cheerful. &c 1t is Il great disappointment.
/ had so hoped to be able to help on the
good cause till it reached the triumphant
end which is sure to come"
"Then you have no doubts of the final
result?" Ethel asked, forcing herself to
speak, and knowing that she could not
trust her voice on any subject less gen.
eral.
Not a doubt! The great cause of hu-
man liberty Is not to receive its death blow
in its land at this day. The world has been
tending for centuries toward this cumi-
mating point. The battle is not between
the North and South merely bat between
anarchy and government, honor and dis
honor, right and wrong. Our country is
only the great battle ground for the con-
tlict of all ages. Do you think in such an
epoch the right could fail 90
Ethel's face kindled in response to his
eager glance. Then she looked at his arm,
and sighed as she said, softly:
elbow much it costs"
owe set small value, you know on that
Which We do not buy dear, he answered
with that grand, brave smile of his. Il
think no price could be too great to pay.
| would have given life as cheertully az |
gave what | did; but then, that is not
much to say for a man who has no ties to
make life precious"
"Would you have staid at home if had
answered you differently that night?"
Ethel never could tell how she came to
ask this question. The words seemed to
utter themselves without her volition.
She could have bitten her tongue off for
speaking them moment after.
He looked at her, 4 little surprised, per-
haps, yet not displeased, for the kindness
OF his smile did not change, and his voice
was almost tender as he replied:
''No, should not have staid at home
even in that case. Duty is duty Just as
much when a man has every thing to make
it hard to do it, as when any great dsap-
pointment makes all sacrifices easy. And
yet might not have been so fearless in
the hour of danger if had thought that
there was one at homo whose heart and
life were linked so indissolubly to mine
who knows?"
He had spoken the last words musingly,
as if more to himself than her. Embar-
rassed beyond expression by the question
she had asked, she did not know how to
take up the conversation. just then her
cousin Grace came in, and made her task
easy. Never was interruption more well
come.
After that they met often but the old
subject was not again limited at between
them. Now, strangely enough, something
like intimacy seemed to be springing up
between Captain Revere and her cousin
Grace. At first the sight of it cost her a
bitter pang, but she conquered 1t bravely-
conquered it so entirely that she was able
| to love Grace as before, and to kiss her
tenderly night and morning, as she had
| done since she was little child. Yet she