The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-10-27

noeu-IOTtubeteiy on lts way u met win ~
obstacle in the shape Of this pocket book, and
iost 80 much of its energy 10 penetrating IL
| that Il was turned aside little, and It stopped
short Of It's destination; the result Is that your
pocket book has ! clean-cu round hols through
it and that you have continuation Of said
aperture uncomforbIy near your heart. How
ever, my dear fellow, jesting aside, although
you are badly wuuaded, there is no danger, II
you are properly attended. must try and
find good nurse for YOU" 'ooI iHA' " q
Poor Captain Rick !and he had really hoped
to diel He opened the let,er.case as tho kind
surgeon hurried away, and there, within it,
lay tiny perfumed uo,e, pierced through its
centre; he held l, up before bis eyes with a
melancholy smils--the seal was cut complete.
ly ousl He wondered II that talismanic initial
was not craven forever where the ball had
lodged close by bis heart; then he sighed and
closed bis eyes. 1t was strange! TnAt mo
rocco lelter-case would never have bern 10 that
left breast pocket but for the letter, which was
all il contained. Maud Hilton dream
ed one night ofbattle--and strangely enough,
she dreamed Of Rick Randall; she saw him at
The head Of his men, with his sword aloft, and
his barred head proudly erect, she head the
familiar voice ringing, above the roar aud din !!
rhore was quick, snap pagg through her
heart, and she awoke, trembling and weeping,
Mex morning the newsboys cried under
tho window, "Another great bait le! splendid
victory of the Union army !the enemy routed
and flying list OF the killed and wounded p
and somehow thsirshrli, CHEEKY voices seemed
full Of ioreboding, knell like. r @ eaf
When she leaned over, her fathers shoulder
as be sat at the breakfast table, poring over the
orniug paper, one hour later, il was not i'm
out an inward sbudder that her eyes searched
the columns for The fatal list, with sort Of
scepical curiosity. She fouul il readily,
enough, and followed it down carefully with
her fagar: then, suddenly, shs caught her
fathers arm with sharp grasp. and over her
face stole the ashy palor we have seen once
beforc; then she bent down until her cheek
brushed Lis, aud, hiding her face, wept silent
ly, softly. He did not ask why, for his eye
had followed her fugsr ill it stopped at this:
" COMPANY A, wounded, Captain Richard
Kendall, morlsllyw That was all Ab!
Maud Hilltou, did you think God had helped
you to crush y ur love Tor hint Afterwards
with luminous eyes, Maud sat, pale but calm,
lilly balancing the spoon on the rim Of her cof.
fee cup-suddeuly she looked up to her faith
or, aud said, quietly: III must go!' He did
not ask where, for he knew, and the remon,
STRANGE that roso 10 his lips he did not utter
when he saw the light Of holy determine.
tion in her eyes.
Poor Captain Rick he had suffered terri
tly with his wound, and, al last, fever sat
in upoa him, that wasted him to a mere skel-
eton 10 one little week, Tut the crisis was past,
aud lie was safe, though fyou had seen him ly-
ing thore on his rude bed, with sunken cheeks
closed eyes, and folded hands, you woali have
thought him dead-he was so white and mo-
tionless.
Maud Hilton thought so as she bent gently
over him, in the gathering twilight of an au
tu'nn afternoon, and j,st touched his firehcad
with cool, caressing fingers; ard her hear,
beat warniugly. Captain Rick knew that
touch 10 an instant; he opened bis eyes and
met her fearful gaze; then he drew froIu bis
bosom morocco ietter case, opened it ner.
vousIy. while she looked at him wonderingly,
took out a little note, and held It up before
her-"I have loved you always, Maud" he
.aid "And love you, Rck," she murmured,
s'nkiog on her knees by the humble bedside
Of the wounded hero, aud throwing her arms
around him.