Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-10-05
weary heads, fond hearts more fond
for any i'll that might have fallen on


the applause Of loungers that she ha
driven past him without knowing i
Past him who would have known tn
very rustic Of her robe in any throne
For few moments the soldier battle
with hot tears, and swallowed chokin
sobs. Then he was calm.
$50 be it," he said. al have born
much can bear more. have gi'
en- my left arm to my country. If m
hearts best love must follow it, let m
accept my fate like a man and as
soldier should" ..
And stern look came over his face
and he leand back among his cushion
with his eyes turned seaward.
In little while he had himself driy
en- back to the hotel, and there fatigu
was a sufficient excuse for his keepin,
his own room and avoiding Edna AcE
land, and all the rest Of fashiondom.
At best he hated the endless ques
tioning and commiseration the an
swering Of inquiries as to his health
and how and when and where tha
sleeve became empty. He did not ell
joy the role of hero, nor the admirine
pity Of simpering misses and st u
mammas. Edna Ackland's sympath,
was the only sympathy he craved, anl
that he had not. SO, shut in his owl
room, while the world of Newpor
was abroad, taking his walks an,
rides when others were at dinner
Captain Ash lived quite as much alon
as he might on desert island, saw
for an occasional raid of masculin
friends, who came to "cheer him up,
and failed signaiIy in that praisewor
thy endeavor.
The sea air was doing the GONZALES
cent very little good In fact he wa.
weaker than when he came to New
port. ...
A happy heart is the best medicine
and hope better for the balmiest breez
es ever blown. These Harry Ash hat
not. He did not even wish to live.
Sometimes on the nights of the re
nowned Newport "hops," when musi,
came stealing OH the balmy air to hi.
very window, and the sound Of dane
ing feet, timing it gayly, broaght bacl
the memory of hours when he was the
merriest of the throng, the young sol
dier would sit with his aching head and
heart and listen, almost believing tha,
he could see Edna among the dancers
Edna, in the white dress that he loved
to see her wear, with pearls about hel
throat and in her ears. , ..-.... .....
All, and with young Fitzfoodle for a
partner, and a throng of brainless
boys about her when she grew tired
of the German. Perhaps they whisper.
ed praises of her skill with whip and
rein. Perhaps she looked and spoke
as other girls did now, not with the
modest glance and tone of the Edna
Of old, and yet he longcd unseen t.
see and hear her.
One night the longing grew SO
strong that to get rid Of it he left his
room and sauntered feebly out into
the open air, and d"wn romantic
path where he hoped he should not
hear the music and the twinkle OF
feet. But it came to him even
there. The lights flashed through the
dark foliage-the notes of waltz
mingled with the far-of sob of the sea
The music was like his memory, ht
could not escape it. For he had walk
ed too far already and was fain to 81,
down and rest--he who had once been
so strong. He flung himself on gar.
den fence and wiped the damp drops
from his brow.
" | am getting no stronger" he
thought shall never live to see
flowers die. Will she care, wonder?'
Even as he spoke soft sobbing
broke upon his ear. Itseemed close t.
him he turned and looked. The gar
den seat rested with its back against
a great tree dos a dos to this, facing
a walk, was like seat. On this la.
dy sat, her head bent down, the moon
light lying on great coils of faxen
hair, little hands clasped, sobs sup.
pressed but audible to the young sol.
dier, hcaving her bosom. That wealth
Of hair, that slender form, surely he
knew them. He bent forward to be
certain, and branch rustled, and the
lady started up in alright. 1t was
Edna Ackland, and she saw him, fol
the moon was bright and full upon his
face. For moment both remained
motionless. Then she arose and came
around the tree and sat down beside
him.
Her eyes were swollen with weep
ing, aud she held her hand ont to him
What could he do hut take it.
"You are bctter?" she said. a.
feared you were very i'll. You have
been here u whole week and neve
been near as. Was that right?"
"You forgot | am an invalid ant
not equal to society yet" be said
coldiy.
"forget-.-oh no |! and her glancs
took in his empty sleeve" how conlt
I?"
"How could you, indeed ! | an
sadly altered-neither useful nor Orna
mental to the world. The best thin,
| can do is to quit it, as expect I
soon"
she stretched her hand toward hin
with sudden gesture that looked a.
most like a caress, and drew il bacl
blushing scarlet.
Nay, you are better. The docto
told mamma 80. All You need is exer
else. You shonld drive out, or go up
on the water more"
1.-The word drive" angered him
He answered curtly: Driving is yer.
pleasant to one who possesses Mis-
Ackland's new accomplishment. 1t i
not so charming to one who can neye
handle a whip or rein again. In
same with boating Perhaps you ar
also mistress Of the oar"
Yes, can row very well, believe.
10 she boasted Of it. Ills lip cnrled
We're Miss Ackland a genilelna
/ shoald compliment her. As it isl
"Weli, Captain Ashf"