The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-05-13

low. strange tone,
Do You know what a mpckery il Sc ems
to me to talk of enjoyment? People enjoy
with their hearts, don't they? Nv heart is
dead
She got up and took scrap of paper from
her desk, and put it in my hand. 1t was the
account Of desperate charge in which Colo
mel Saltonstall had been dang y wound
ed while leading on his men. There was
yery little probability, so the item said, OF
MS ever recovering.
How long ago was this q asked, turning
TO her.
Six weeks
And YOU never told me9
.Wh5 should I?'-in those slow, dreary,
inexpressibiy mournful tones-'yo never
liked him. 1t was my SORROW
While she was speaking the door opened,
and | saw figure standing in it-a wan,
strange figure, with pallid, hastily tace-and
YET, through all the change wrought by sick
ness and anguish, l knew Captain SaltOns'ail-
With a low cry Marcia rose and stretched
out her arms. He came toward her.
Your wife p cried. meaning to stop him.
He turned toward me for an instant, and
answered me.
She is dead-died in the asylum, two
months ago. Do YOU not see that am dy-
ing too? have come here TO lie with Mar
cia beside me. In Heavens name LEI US
alone
| did not wait to see their meeting. As
shut the door upon them and went into the
hall | saw Charley Cahill coming in. went
up to him, and said. without considering
enough, perhaps, the pain was giving,
Guy Saltonstall has come back. He is in
there with Marcia. His wife is dead, and |
think he will soon follow her; but he and
death are stronger than you and life
4 petient smile, cold and pale 4. moonlight,
crossed his lips, and be took my hand.
'You have been more hopeful for me, al
along. than have for myself. 1t is hest az
it IS
But did not believe il could be best. /
was NOS satisfied. After Charley went away
| sat alone in the hall. and thought about it
with feelings not altogether right, am afraid.
After Will. an hour perhaps, Marcia
came out to NE. Her face was kindled with
a glorious light. II her heart were dead be-
loce, could see its resurrection in her eyes.
'Rl;h.' she said, We mus, be married to-
night. The circumstance viii make such
haste pardonable. know that nothing but
III, closest care can save his life. must b.
sh;e 10 nurse him as only his wife can. |
would no, willingly be away from him nc
men,
y Re selfish enough asked, Il little BIT
terry. 10 want you II marry him now"
.Will YOU always he unjust to him, Ruth !?
He does not want me TO mary him; but
vii. II j. my proposal. He loves me, and
he needs NE; anu there is n shame in max
ing him let MT devote myself 10 him. Viii
Won, for my sake, undertake 10 convince
! father and mother that il is best and neces-
sary' want to have their approval; but
whatever they may say, ain resolved
She went back TO her lover. | went to n,
parents and told them all. They were sarry.
but they recognized the uselessness Of oPp3-
sition and since they could not hep The
matter. resolved to make the best of it.
/ Marcia's strong vii conquered all obs.a-
cles jas: d; sunset of the glad June day
she stood by Guy Saltonstal 5 side while her
/ brief marriage VOWS were spoken. With
what tender pride she looked on her wan.
ghos:ly bridegroom. In h:s glory Of mani!
strength arId lofty courage he Could never
have seemed 10 her nObier or more worthy.
she had never been more beautiful. Her
violet eyes fu.i Of light, pink f1shes on her
cheeks, rays of sunset in her rippl!ns chest
nut hair, and on her simple white muslin
dress, sne looked a bride for any mans woi-
ship. But it seemed pi,ifIl to see such youth
and grace, such beauty and such tender truth
given TO the clasp of death. How soon
would the earth, and not that bright head,
lie ON his bosom? | know wasted pity. Ii
ever woman spoAe her marriage vows with
full joyful surrender, Marcia SO spoke them.
That was June, and now it is October
The Cool Captain is net dead, thanks 10
Marcia's nursing He will never have his
Old strength bach-neyer again lead on has
men where muskets ratified and bug les cali
but h. is well enough to enj9y the pomp OF
autumn days, and reflect bac. in his smile
the deep conleniment Of Marcia's eyes. And
when see her so happy. think she under
stood her own needs best alter all.
! During the battle of Shil)h an officer hur-