St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-11-10

prevail and speedily. Meantime, !
know my friend, that you will pray for
me, and it will BE- comfort. when sur
rounded by danger, to turn my thoughts
to this quiet retreat, where my dearly
beloved little sister remembers to plead
my cause at the Throne Of Mercy"
How the remembrance Of those words
thrilled her, aud the touch of the hand
while he uttered them seemed to carry
her back to that moment. They were
the last he ever spoke in her car before
saying "good bye," and she had watch
ed him as he went through the lawn,
with glisteDing eyes, wondering if he
would ever return again. 'Iomcr was
with him then. The two walked off
side by side, and their forms disappear
ed together among the trees. Since
that time she had many occasions to
remember gratefully, services done for
her husband when in trouble or DANGER.
A friend lie had been indeed-truc aud
faithful to the last.
Poor .Astrca! All these things came
back to her with the rapidity of light,
even in the midst OF her terror. But
she could not sustain the terrible strain
upon her nerves long, and with low
moan, sank to the floor perfectly un.
conscious.
When morning d.wned they found
her still lying upon the carpet, but
broken and feverish murmurs issued
from the scarlet lips, and sbe tossed her
head restlessly from side to side
Hearing her voice thus incohcrently
uttering words had alarmed the family,
and they we're obliged to force the door
ope" then they began to understand
something of the nature Of the case.
For weeks Astrea was very i'll, aud
Mrs. Heartily wrote private and ur-
gent appeal to her son to come home.
He responded by obtaining farlough
and fastening away as soon as possible,
but it was two weeks before this could
be accomplished, for it is always = te-
dious business TO- get through the for
mula Of "leave Of ABSENCE" and BY
the time he reached home, Astrea
could begin to sit up a little. The
strong man thought it pltiful sight
when he bent over tie little wasted 6g-.
ure and kissed the wan lips that smiled
upon him so sadly. He was moved 10
tears even by the picture.
"Oh, darling, what is it!-what has
made you so i'll? Tell me, my wife 2"
II will, Homer. Sit down here BY
me, and I. will tell you al now" she
answered gently, and the fearful old
mother stole from. the room, leaving
them alone. =
Without hesitation or reserve she
told the story through to the end, keep.
ing nothing back !; aud as he listened,
the husbands heart swelled pityingly.
Could 1t be otherwise, with his eyes FIX
I'd upon the pure, pallid face, and those
holy eyes looking into his? Never
once did pang of jealousy n'inele
with the regret he felt for the loss Of
his own aud his wife's friend, Or de-
tract from the purity Of his sympathy.
Sitting there with hands clasped in the
twilight shadows, their te:rs mingled
together, sadly and sorrowfo!ly, but the
ttorminess Of her feelings had subsided
ana peaceful expression came after
awhile to the pale face.
When little silence had fallen be.
tween them, she broke it by saying,
II think it was terror that made me
i'll. / had been so excited over the
sudden news, and strove so hard to
conceal it, my nerves were all unstrung.
Imagination took the reins and led me
to supernatural differences l believe
it was that which made me i'll, though
l mour"ed for him bitterly, and ever
shall Alas that he should die while
SO much needed! America has lost
brave and faithful servant in him."
That night for the 6rst time Astrea
went down to tea. tlomcr took her up
in his strong nrms and carried her to
her acc lstomed seat, where he placed
her, and assumed one Immediately at
her side. Seeing the cheerful and
manly tenderness Of his manner, and
the faint tint, like the pink Of sea
shell, upon her daughter-in-law's cheeks
Mrs. Heartily, senior, dismissed her
tears and allowed herself to be made
happy at once.
Homer remained at home for two
weeks, and then returned to his COM
mand. To-day he is still in the SER
vice, and Aatrea, his lovely vife,, is