The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1865-01-05
VOL. l2:
CLARA,s II E o.
By MIRIAM CLYDE.

Charley. Fie there would bo no ro-
mauce in it. l intend to marry hero"
The speakers were alone, by the fire,
in the dusk Of the evening: the lady
sitting before it, the gentleman leaning
against the mantle. piece.
He gave something like sigh, but
added quickly, in a manly voice, "l am
sorry for it, Clara !; but I am not hero !;
good BY"
He was gone. But as he had spoken
his farewell, his eyes had looked down
into her own sorrowfully and tenderly !;
and somehow they seemed very like eyes
she had seen in her day dreams. Was
she mistaken Did she love him? She
mused, for awhile, with Q strange feeling
Of loss loss Of something very, very
dear to her.
She little knew that in the heart she
had rejected we're all the qualities requi-
site to make her hero. They only wait
ed an opportunity for development; and
that opportunity soon came.
Fort Sumter had been fired on
Drums were beating, flags flying, every.
body was excited. Brothers, sons, and
husbands we're enlsting. Among 9th
ers, Charley entered the army; he raised
a company aud marched to the relief of
Washingtons
The evening before the regimen left,
Charley called to bid Clara's family good
by. Clara had not seen him since their
tete tete, except occasionally in the
street, when he recognized her only by
distant bow. She had been but half
satisfied with herself lately. She had
missed Charley more than she had tho't
she would. When he came iu, her heart
began to beat fast. She asked herself if
he would be like himself to night, or cold
as he had been lately. Beyond few
general remarks, However, Charley said
nothing to her; he was occupied chiefly
in bidding farewell to her father and
mother, with whom he had always been
favorite; and besides, other officers
were present, also old friends, and who
had come likewise to say good by.
Clara was asked to play while Charley
sang. So Capt. Simpson came and stood
beside her. At the general request, she
played, "Bue Bonnets DER the Border. -
But while Charley's voice rose clear and
steady, her fingers trembled. The others
Joined in the chorus, and no one noticed
her agitation, except Charley, who dared
not attribute it to the right cause. Once
or twice, she had hoped they might be
alone for a minute, when she half intend
ed to speak the truth. But Capt. Simp
son left before most of the others, going
away wondering and panied by her SEEM
ing coldness.
The war went on. Charley fought in
numerous battles and rose rapidly. At
Gettysburg he commanded regiment,
and, toward the close of the third day,
fell desperately wounded. With much
difficulty he was brought home, ard for
weeks, it was doubtful whether hc would
live or die.
Meantime the ideal hero in the heart
of Clara Blake had long vanished, and the
image of Charley Simpson had taken its
place. Often, how often, did she 90
back to the old, sweet days of their
friendship. These memories were her
chief pleasure now, for there seemed nc
enjoyment in the present, no hope in the
future. She would have given worlds If
she had never spoken the words whicl,
sent him from her side. All she often
thought, If her answer had been differ
ent, his letters might have frightened
the weary days. Sometimes she was
shown those addressed to his family; and
their modesty in alluding to his OWE
deeds, with which the newspapers were
ringing, made her worship him more
than ever. And now, when he was SC
i'll, perhaps about to die, she could no,
even see him Oh if she had acted
differently, it would have been her swee,
duty, in this hour of agony, to be at hi
bedside. What words can tell how he1
heart was racked at reflections like
these? -....
At last he was pronounced out of dan
ger. Then it was said he was able to 81
up, to ride out, to walk short distance
to be able to call on his friends. Blu,
Clara never met him. He did not ever
come to see her father and mother, al
which they wondered often. But, ir
truth, Col Simpson was deeply hurt
Friends and acquaintanccs, far and near
had visited him in his sickness old in
Inmates Of the family, ladies as we'll Al
gentlemen, bad come as soon as he coulc
leave his room; but the one ionged for
face had never appeared. So near, and
yet denied the pleasure of one word, one
look even. Did she fear he would mis-
construe her if she came? Yes tha
must be the reason, he said to himself
he was hurt beyond words; and had made
up his mind to return to his post, fol
which he was now preparing, withou,
calling at the Blakcs at all.
But night or two before he was t,
leave, the longing to see her once mor'
became iusupportable, and just as twi
light was falling ho turned his steps te
her house. He was dressed in plair
clothes, for he never wore uniform ex
cept on duty, but the servant, who wa'
an old one, knew him, and ushered hin
into the drawing room without announce
ment, as in the old times. Clara ha,
been out on horseback, and was sittin,
alone, before the fire, with her hat still
in her hand She was lost in a rever,
SO deep that she did not hear Col. Simp
sonJa oIvo n; =, fooAetaoc acJ -ao oo /,