Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1864-06-11

was her solace-the only the only thing
she seemed TO love to her she was tender,
devoted, and self.sacrifcing. The sole tie
that bound Hildred Hayne to humanity
Even this was rent away. A malignant
fsysr..swept over'the vicinity Of Red Rock
farm, and Mary was among the first smit.
ten. Three dreadful days of dumb agony
TO Hildred passed, and, Oh the morning
of the fourth, she held her dead sister in
her arms! And when they buried the
sweet girl, Hildred's human love was laid
70 rest in her grave. Tbenceforth, for the
dark eyed, lonely woman at Red Rock, the
world had not solitary charm!
Once only since her punishment of him
had sne seen Paul Lancaster The day
her sister was buried he had thrown a
snow drop into the grave; and as he
turned away, they two met face to face
There was a wild, imploriug, passionate
tender look in his eyes--a stony, immova.
Bile look in hees and not word was spo.
ken. He understood her.
lie went away into the world shortly
afterwards. The Hall pashed out Of the
hands of his father, who removed to a
distant State, and Hildred knew nothing
more of the family. No one ever men.
toned 'hem to her; she made no enouir.
les she said to herself that she did not
care to know.
Life passed on monotonously enough.
She hardly noted the change Of seasons,
except as agricultural interests compelled
her to do so. She took little thought for
things Of the morrow; she never looked
forward; it was doubtful if she ever re.
called the present. She might have in.
terestsd herself in the poor, but she did
not; she gave nothing to beggars sat in
the sanctuary, and lived life hidden from
the view of all. &c.,.
That November night, Hildred, for the
first time in many years, was looking over
her past life. Somehow her heart felt
sosIer-there were tender memories at
work !; the spirit of mercy pleaded with
iron handed justice; sho almos. felt that
she could forgive Paul Lancaster all he
had made her suffer- A rap at the door
araused her. She waited, expecting old
Francis or his wife to answer the call !;
but evidently they did not hear, and TAX.
ing up the lamp, she went herself. The
air was thick with snow, ard on the door.
step, his blue overcoat white with the
feathery flakes, stood man in the Federal
uniform. He lifted his hat and spoke with
courtesy:
SIS this, the residence of Miss Hidred
Hayne?"
at is," she answered coldiy; "what is
your business"
The young soldiers bronzed cheek
flushed at her naughty tone. but be re.
piled with feeling:
" Madam, have in my charge q wound.
ed officer who was given over to die by
our regimen,al surgeon; and on his dis.
charge from the hospital, he made one
solemn request, probably his last one.-
He asked TO brought here, that his dying
breath might be drawn i'll tho place where
the only happiness Of his life had come
TO him. |, as his friend and subordinate,
have complied with his request. Shall
bring him in ?'
Miss Haynes cool hand trembled slight
ly; n faint quiver OF scarlet shot up to
her forehead.
What's tho gentleman name ?" she
asked. ....
Colonel Paul Lancaster" ..~..
She made O movement as if to close the
door, but the soldier put himself in the
way. ...- -...
Madam, you MAY be refusing shelter
to a dying man. Reflect before you De.
eide. Colonel Lancaster was once your
friend; will you shut the door Of your
house upon him when he asked with his
expiring breath, the cover Of its roof?'
Miss Hayne underwent struggle, but
it was momentary. She threw open the
door, and called to old Francis.
Garry him in there she said, point
ing to the warm parlor; II will come to
him directly She went up to her cham.
ber and locked herself in. What fear.
ful trial she. passed through was known
only to God and her own solL ....- -
In little while she came down, pale
and quiet, and entered the room where
they had taken her guest, The sofa was
drawn up before the FIRE, and the pale,
wan face that was lifted to meet her eyes,
was hardly recognizable ~ that Of the
Paul Lancaster shs had once known. "