The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-11-06
Sf(iseellar>eous.
MILDRED's SACRIFICE.

The vases OF heliOtrope IN Miss Deiioro
dainty little parlor were distilllng their
sweetest fragrance in the delicious evening
breeze that tossed the muslin curtains to and
fro, through tho wide-opened windows, and
the chsery boughs ovcrshadowing the piazza
caves were hung with sparkling jewel sprays
Of crimson fruit. July was purpling oil the
horizon with amethyst light-July broodcd
over the hills with tender warmth; and
Clara Delford, in her dark, rich beauty,
seemed like typic blossom Of the richest
month in all the year.
Did Captain Werner notice the changing
color in her olive cheek-the blaze that
glowcd beneath her jetty eyelashes, in
strange, seductive brilliance? Did no OBJ
serve how artistically she had posed herself
on the tiny footstool, close beside Mildred
Moore's shadowy white draperies, and pure,
colorless.? Clara Delford understood con.
trast and harmony-Captain Werner did not,
he only knew that the two girls were like
rose and lily.fervid sunshine, and pale with
starlight.
"If could only do something for those
poor, suffering soldiers" she said, breaking
the momcnsary. silence, as il in continuation
Of the previous conversation. "Would IT
not be possible for me to devote at least a
portion of my small means to their comfort
and bappiness?"
Captain Werner INDUCED in quiet smile;
for the heircss to speak Of her "small means
seemed, even to him, like an unnecessary bit
of ostentation.
"Certainly," ho said, "and ! can assure
you tho money could not bc spent to better
purpose"
"Will you object to acting rs my treasu-
rcr?" smiled Clara, with appealing softness
in her eyes.
"Not at all there are, in my regiment,
many cases of hardship-even destitution-
which 1t would give me great pleasure to ro-
lieve. Thank you'-as she opened the tint
est of silken purses, and placed q bank note
in his hand with b!ushing confusion-"I
know from experience how much good twen-
ty dollars can do"
All this time Mildred Moore had sat silent
in the shadow Of the CHEEKY boughs; now
she rose, and quietly withdrew. Captain
verner's eyes followed her slight willowy
figure. with involuntary attraction.
"You mustn't misinterprct poor, dear Mil
dred's silence" lispcd Clara. as the door
closed of course she is interested in your
hospital reminiscence: but l don't thing she
cares very much about the poor soldiers
Milly's nature is not very sympathetic.
and"
"And," added hc straightforward soldier,
quickly, "ber means arc very limited, indeed.
She gives music lessons, or something, don't
she?"
He had risen, and stood there, tall and
handsome, in the golden July moonlight
Clara's beau ideal OF q man.
"Good night, Miss Clara. must stop at
Harwood Grange for Eve minutes, to tell
about their two boys who fell at Fredericks-
burg and I've two or three little errands to
attend to in the town. We soldiers, you
know, are scarcely ut our own disposal"
He held the little jewelled hand in his a
moment, perhaps unconscious how closely he
pressed il, and then vanished through the
crimson-sprinkled branches Of the cherry
trees. As he walked along, whistling softly
to himself, no thought Of Clara in her
strange, transccndant bcauty-of her melt.
ing, liquid eyes, and her mouth, like Cupids
bow, carved in scarlet coral.
at was generous in her to give that mon
ey," he thought. "But can't understand
hang it! its no business Of mine, I sup.
pose; but why couldn't Miss Mildred have
expressed her sympathy in words, at least.
II annoys me little; and yet l don't for
the life Of mo SEQ phy II should"
"You sent that set Of onyx to my mother!"