The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-11
THE ORDEAL OF BATTLE.

llCtle hacnel clay, with ncr large .WiStful ewes
trembling with blue, radiant light, like a yelled
cheek stained with pomegranate crmson-an
empress of hearts from her cradle up. And
sitting in the framework of roses that trailed
athwart the easement, with white ribbons hut-
terng from her satin brown curs, and one red
Jewel flashing among the folds of her muslin
dress. you would almost have fancied her some
lar pictured saint.
Harry Cleveland was leaning against the
WINDOW, a tall, handsome young fellow, with
u'ih eyes ana hair, and u brown cheek. flushed
oeePy WIN suppressed anger and modification.
ieo MI Cleveland, it is" said Rachel,
caiihiY hitting her clear eyes to his face. lyon
have asked me for my reasons-apd oltbouoh
question your right to make such demand
SUI, nave no objections to render Them
speak OIL said Harry, biting his Inns furi
ously, let me know why am condemned "
lhcy are soon spoken" said Rachel quietly
Il have liked YOU very much. Mr.. CleveIondW
still like you-but in the man whom marry
look Tor greater irinness and decision of mr.
pose than you have ever displayed. Earnest
ness, resolve these are the only qualities that
l can respect. DO YOU misunderstood me.
10 you suppose tlat l blame you for the lack
OF qualifications Whch-which--
Rachel paused instinctively, while the porne-
granate tinge on her checks blazed into vivid
scarlet, in sympathy with the deep blush that
dyed her lovers whole face. He bowed sim
ply. and walked out of the room with q firm.
Eaughty step.
Late that evening he sat at his window, with
clenched teeth and lowering brow. Watching
the neIy embers of sunset fade into the purple
gloom and noting the silver of innummerable
consultations Us they followed one another
over the blue cOncavc of heaven. But the
CLEAN OF sun and stars might have been Egyp-
tan darkness for all he knew or cared about
about their gentle Influences
Lie. he murmured darkly to himself
what is it.Worth to me now? What care
who wins the glittering prizes in fatc's lottery,
or who is rejected-and for mere within, too
IL L could only forget her as quickly as she will
forget me. the tickle. beautiful enchantress."
Halo, Cleveland, I'm going to call on
too?"
Captain Morrell had paused under the win
dow; with his brown, merry face turned up
ward, and the dim gas lamp tiickerine over his
gold shoulder straps.
Cleveland shook his head.
No. tonight
And Morrel went on his way, the fiery eve of
his cigar cleaning fittully through the dark
ness.
There he goes" muttered the solitary mis-
anthrope, with his gilt buttons and his mil
tary airs and graces-and it for such as he that
Rachel throws away my lOve!"
- SO you've enlisted, Harry" said old Squire
Clay, polishing the glasses of his spectacles
"Wel, it's what I'd do myself if | was forty
years younger Amt you comm in to tell our
Rachel good-hHei Haven't time? Well, do
declared"
The Squire gazcd in astonshment after the
vanishing figure of Harry Cleveland on horse
back. as it disappeared among the trees
II wonder what Rachel will say" was his
| unspoken comment.
But Rachel said nothing
While. day by day. the old wound ranked
and grew sorer in Harry Clevelands heart.
"Will he live DOctOr2"
Every pulse in Rachel Clays being seemed
to stand still as her blue, dilatcd eyes searched
the doctors kind sun-browned face
Live! Why shouldn't he i? All he needs
IS little care, and l see he is likely to ret that
Now don't blush up, my dear. he's not the first
solder in my ward that has pretty girl come
to nurse him, and like them all the better for
it! Give him the draught when he wakes, and
Keep the bandage on his forhead He'll prob
ably carry an ugly scar to his gravel but that
Will be the worst of it,
The good old man trotted brisklvaway 10 the
next ease, while Rachel. kneeling down be-
SIDE the low iron bedstead, cried tears of in
tense thank1ulness that Harry Cleveland would
not die.
" Rachel! am not dreaming surely-yet it
was but moment ago we made that cayary
charge on fixed bayOnets!"
His large. unnaturally brilliant eyes wan
dered vaguely around the rOOm-and then
returned to the tender face bending over him
IL was three days since, dearest; you are
lying IN the barracks now, wounded, and |
have come from Chenille to nurse yOu."
YOu Rachel?'
- Yes, Harry, !"
why did YOU Gomez" he asked quite
gloomily.
81 Because l love you, Harry" she muir
INJURED, the br ght crimson sutfusng her whole
face.
A strange light of rapture flashed into Har-
rvs eyes-his pulse leaped within the fevered
veins.
Love me, Rachel--yet it is not month
since You refused mel"
Dearest, because I fancied you weak and
vascillating. In the fiery smoke of the battle
field you have proved yourself worthy of the
tendercst love-you have written your name
hero on the glorious though sangune rolls of
your country, Harry, because l refused you
once. you Will not reject me now?"
Reject you, my hearts queen, O. Rachel
how can | be sure that this is not q bright
treacherOus delirum 2"
She bent her soft cheek on his-and then he
knew that it was no baseless vision. but sweet
reality!
Then you did not care for Captain Morrell.
after all ?"
never cared for any one but YOU. Harrv!"
ana when September hung her crown of
purple mist over the hills, Harry Cleveland
came home to be married, still handsome, al
though his forehead bore fresh scar across its
cioou oAPt.hSe when the villagers asked Gu
rlously If it was lifelong mark. Harry an
swered gayly-
would not lose it for q fortune; that scar
won me wife,"
Some of the rebels pretend to think the
bOmbardment of Charleston Il barbarOus
and cOwardly thing, and JEFF. DAVIS
talks piteously about the "cruel fate of
woman and children in Charleston, ex-
posed to murderOus fire." The rebels
have had abundant not ce at Charleston;
let them move the women and children
out of the way. But DAVIS is on record
in vindication of just such barborous war
fare as Gen. GILMORE is using. In 1868.
in the Senate, he defended Gen. HARNRY
against charge of shooting down Indian
women, and said:
As to the killing OF women and children