Nebraska advertiser., 1865-06-08

Gu nc dOOi'
"YOu deserve your home, brave girl, y
and seizing bucket after bucket, he threw
the waertt on the flames that were rap
IDLY gaming headwAy.
Some one to help her, .Annie's spirits
rose again, and together they worked
the officer only pausing to look a, the
bright eyes and flushed face Of the. brave
and now beautiful girl. They worked
long and steadily, and saved the little
house, ba. the contents of the store were
gone. The work and excitement over
ANNE leaned languidly against the door
and gazed sldly round her. Bending
over the dreary girl, the officer whisper
ed
Tell me your name, noble girl
must go now but you shall see me again. y
"My name is Annie Brown" she an.
swered and who must l thank for saw
ing my home"
1T was Rebel, sweet girl, who you
shall see agaln; he has saved your life
and honor to- Farwell." :"
Annie could see his tall figure but a
moment, for it was lost in the black
smoke that covered everything She
turned from the heated heavy atmosphere
and found her mother. and father in the
1ltlle back room overcome with grief and
terror.
"The store is gone, dear father, but
our house is safe, she said cheerfully. :
"And you saved it my child. God
bless you"
Tears rolled down the old mans
cheeks as he drew the little dreary fig.
ure to his heart.
And Annie felt more than repaid for
her labors, when her father proudly
smiled upon her through bis heart.
A week of fearfol suffering followed
that day of fire. Neighboring towns
sent bread to tie famishibg and clothes
to the naked. But thousands were
houseless and beggared who had lived
in luxury and taste. They fingered
among ,he runs. hopeless aid helpless,
cllnging TO The 4Iackened walls and lau-
Tng tnem because they had been ,homes.
Annie Browns home was a refuge for
many who knew not where to lay their
heads; and the little she had saved was
freely shared with those who had moth
ing.
A week Of toll, privation. and suffer
ing had passed. but bravely Annie
Brown had borne it. She had seothed
and comforted those around her; and
had felr the cravings of hunger that
others might not suffer. But even An
nie's courage and bravery was commen-
cling to fail,-she sat upon her litlle back
porch vainly trying to check the tears
that would come, and thinking sadly and
hopelessly of the future.
All were asleep within the low house
and she sat wondering what she could do
TO keep hunger and wretchedness from
those she loved so well. A weary pros
pect lay before her aud prayer rose to
her Ips,tha! God would teach her whal
to do.
The prayer was scarcely offered when
she heard llllle, quick step; and look
ing up, she saw tall form beside her
She could scarcely Distinguish it in the
darkness. bot as the igure turned to.
wards her, the light from the window
fell upon him. and Annie recognized the
officer who had helped her to save her
house.
He put his finger to his lips and whis-
pered
Il am alone, Annie, and have risked
everything to see you again"
She did not speak, and he sat down
beside her.
"Are you not glad to see me Annie g.
he asked.
''Yuu have saved my life and all thai
| have owe to you; but," she added
THAT is very little, and God only knows
what we are to do. 1t would have beer
Kind soldier, TO have thaken life. too
when all else were gone. We are beg
gaFs, and you have made US so.'
He did not seem 10 notice Annie:
bitter words, but drew hsr TO him. A
first she resisted, but his strong arm wa.
around her, and there was something II
bis manner that soothed the weary girl
He told her of his hone-of its beau
ty, its wealth, its luxury, he said he hac
come to offer 1t TO her. He told her o
his love that she would be to him more
than all else /; that be would shelter ant
comfort her, and she should never knov
sorrow, or trouble, or WEAKNESS.
Annie listened to the strange, swee
words. Her life had been given to 9th
ers. She had borne her burdens alon,
and unmurmuringly. but life seemed of
ten weary and fnlI Of care. The stran