The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1864-04-14

| palgn here been so successful that he
should grieve to find it ended Is it
not more like that he is meditating on
the vanity of our pursuits, and contras-
ting his own lofty calling with them !?
No, no, depend upon it Captain Moul-
toms heart is not here, and he bears
away no regrets
A lull in the ball room sounds had
allowed every word of this converse.
tion to reach Captain Moulton's ears.
A red flush rose to bis cheek at he lis
tened, and then turned away indig-
nant. sfssiifa. .l'ffa s - 5.s.is.i. !
"Heartless ~ he murmured, as he
pushed his way almost rudely through
the gay crowd. eT
| When next Bertha saw him, he was
whirling along the room in the mazes
Of a polka, a pretty girl encircled by
his arm, and gay smile upon his
handsome face.
He did not approach her, but his
voice reached her continually, in tones
mirthful as her own, and never had he.
been SO recklessly gay as on that MEM
orable evening when he bade adieu to
the brilliant circle across which he had
moved through the height of the sea-
son, and from which he was now van.
ishing forever. fs..ii.sis.s..l baa. 81
A strange unrest came upon Bertha
as she saw this. Her bright spirit left
her: her gayety became ftful, and she
could no longer put far away the tho't
of that TO morrow which was to leave
her desolate.{ When at length the par.
ty broke up, Moulton found her sitting
quietly, almost sadly quiet by herself.
The light had faded from her eyes, s,and
the sparkle from her face. She rose
up like weary, chidden child, and al
lowed him to lead her from the room.
The drive home was performed in
silence. Mouton could not trust him
self to speak. The just indignation he
felt checked the impulse. 1t was only
at parting, that softer feelings rose
again. Bertha looked so pale and
weary that his heart was touched. He
took her little hand in his as they stood
beneath the hall lamp, and looked down
into her face. Her eye fell beneath
his. and a faint flush, deepening to
crimson, swept over face. Her hand
trembled like prisoned bird in his,
and she turned half from him.
"Good night, Bertha" he said, 81
shall see you tomorrow"
He dropped her hand and went out.
AS he turned at the door, he heard her
softly echo "to-morrow." She stood |
upon the stairs, her head fallen back,
and the light falling full upon her face.
Moulton thought that something like a
tear glistened in her eye. He shut the
door and went away homeward, with
sweet memory struggling in his heart
with the deep sorrow and Indignation
he felt.
These were fast dying out. Bertha's
softened manner was full of hope and
he chided himself severely for his an
ger at her girlish folly. He fell asleep
elated with hope. A few hours, he be-
lieved, and he should hold her to his
heart as his promised bride. After
that, with the sweet assurance of her
love, danger, death, aught that fate
held in store for him, would be met
bravely. To have known so much
happiness was surely enough for one
life.
He awoke from happy dreams at
dawn to find a subordinate at his bed
side. - 10 49,
Orders requiring his immediate pre-
sence at headquarters. had arrived.
There was no time for leave takings
and while Bertha yet slumbered upon
her pillow, he was far upon his way to
camp and his swift coming tate.
All day Bertha watched for him who
came not At twilight, as her white,
heavy face peered from the window,
she saw the postman dart up the steps.
Her heart beat quicker, something as
sured her of tidings q Moulton. And
presently the. servant entered and
placed note in ner hand. The tore
it open and read: sfet