Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-02-13


ceeded to carry her hastily formed plan into
effect-informing her uncle that Herbert had
been wounded, severely, the paper stated,
but that she had receiveda telegraphic dis
patch from friend who was with him, assur-
| ing her that his wound was, in reality, very
slight, and not in the least dangerous
"You are sure of it, Esther" said the old
man in a pleading voice +" oh, if could on
ly 90 and see for myself that it is So"
@But you know, my dear uncle, itwould be
madness. in your state of health, to attempt
| il. Yet YOU will feel so anxious-what II L
were to go in your stead?"
"Bless YOU, my dear Father, how soon can
| YOU set out? And Rose, she shall go with
you-the sight of her will do him more good
| than all the surgeons in the army.
A gleam of fierce passion shot from Els
theirs ewes. but with an effort she restrained
herself. and said calmly, "My dear uncle, you
surely forget Yourself Would it be right for
Rose TO leave her invalid mother, who de-
ponds SO entirely upon her, to go to Herbert,
| when by the time we reach there, he Will In
| all probability be well enough to reJoin his
| regiment? Would Herbert himself wish 1t z"
"You are right, Esther, my affection Tor
| the dear bow renders me selfish"
"No. uncle, not selfish, only little forget
full. But | must make my preparations i'm
mediately, and have Thomas drive me to the
depot in time to take the first train. And
/ you will see Rose to-day and explain 1t all to
her. will you not, uncle? And on no account
allow her to start, at least until you near from
me-"
The next evening found Esther in safety at
her journeys end. Her hardest task was now
before her-to meet the cousin whom she
loved so passiOnately, and yet whom she had
| yronged so cruelty in such manner that he
| should suspect nothing of either. At the
| first glance her heart almost failed. He lay
| with closed eyes, and the paleness seemingly
of death, on cheek and brow. As she APP
nroached the bedside, he lifted his lids Ian
ouishly. and then glad look of recognition
| flashed over mis- pallid face, followed by one
of eager expectancy as he turned his eyes to
/ the door by which she had entered. Esther
| saw il all and hardened her heart against it.
| His lips moved, and she bent down to catch
the accents almost inaudible:
/ "This is kind Esther, but where is Rose z"
Her mother is sick, Herbert, and we did
think you so very i'll" she answered soosiing-
| ly, parting back with her soft hands the neg
| lected curls that Swallowed his brow. He
lifted his dark eyes to hers with look be-
fore which her own fell. Perhaps with that
keener intuition which the approach of death
| sometimes gives he realized the whole truth,
but he was silent. Esther thrilled through
| all her frame with a nameless terror, but she
forced herself to speak lightly
| al will take such good care OF you, and
YOU will soon be well enough so that l can
| take you home"
Again that strange look in his eyes checked
| her. He closed them and seemed to sleep.
As Esther stood gazing fearfully upon him,
| the surgeon entered. In answer to her in
tently wistful he whispered softly" His arm
was amputated this morning and he has been
| sinking ever since. We hoped he might en-
dure it, but he had lost so much blood before
poor fellow"
As he was going out, Esther touched his
| arm. She tried to speak, but could only
/ frame the words with her lips "How long 2"
| he answered, as if she had spoken" till
midnight, perhaps, not longer" And then
| Esther was left alone with her dying cousin.
| A lifetime of agony seemed condensed into
that hour, as she sat straining her ear to
catch the faint irregular breathing that, it
seemed to her, grew lower and fainter every
| moment Her head was burning and throb-
bling with pain, and at times cold, deathly
chiils crept over her, until it seemed as if
her blood was curdling and freezing in her
veins. And still Herbert lay, seemingly un-
| conciOus OF her presence. At length che
| heard the sound of wheels without her tent,
and the hustle which announced a new arrival
of friends and nurses for the wounded sol
diers. She listened to it as in dream, but
presently there was a light footstep at the
door of the tent. Her gaze was resting Oh
Herbert's face, and she felt as if she had nc
mower to remove it, Again she saw the
white lids lifted, and the yearning look in
those ewes now dim and glaring-then a
fash of unutterable joy broke over his face,
and Esther felt, rather than saw, that Rose
stood by the bedside. "My God, | thank
thee" murmured from Herbert's bloodless
lips, as with one last effort he raised his right
arm and drew the slight form to his breast
| There was not even a sob. Rose hushed heI
very breath to listen to the last words OF
tenderness from those dear lips, upon which
when utterance failed, she pressed her own as
if she might thus impart the warmth and life
that were vanishing away forever.
And then Esther, still sitting speechless and
motionless, saw change pass over the be-
loved face. and the arm fall relaxed upon the
pillow With ore wild shrek she sprang for
ward, and fell senseless upon the floor
And Rose-gentle, self-sacrifcing Rose
pressing one last kiss on the lifeless brow
crushed down her sorrow into her heart anC
with christian meekness took up the mex
1
and nursing of the wretched Esther through
the dangerous illness which her own uncon
trolled passions had brought upon her. Al
though well aware of the manner in which
Esther had sought to wrong her, yet Rose:
voice was none the less tender, or her vigil:
less constant and devoted. At length the
crisis was passed, and health slowly returned
One day when Esther had been lying for
long time, apparently in a half-doze, but in
reality watching furtively the sweet coun
tenance that bore the traces of care and
watching, as well as the impress of a heart
consuming grief, she broke out suddenly with
these words:
"Rose, have often thought during my ILL
ness that my sins were too great to be for
given, even by merciful and long-sufferine
God. But if you, whom have wronged SC
deeply, can not only forgive me, but sea-
your forgiveness with acts of such unparalel
led kindness and DEVOTION surely L have nc
reason TO despair of Gods forgiveness.
will put nv trust in Him for time and eter
nifty"
. "Amen," said Rose solemnly, and her pale
face seemed TRANSPORTED with kind of glory
The surgeon who had paused at the door a:
if to enter, looked at her moment, and then
walked softly away, saying to himself, "Pve
heard of angels, but | never saw one before
She'll be one in reality, Pm thinking, before
long"
And so it proved.
Esther Allen is now the wife of Henry Har
din, but she still sheds bitter tears over the
graves of Rose and Herbert, in the village