Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-05-17
THE ORDEAL OF BATTLE.


a velled cheek stained with pomegranate
cr1mson-an empress OF hearts from her
youth up! And sitting in the framework
OF roses and trailed athwart the easement,
with white ribbons futtering from her satin
brown curls, and one red jewel flashing a
mong the folds of her muslin dress, you
would almost have fancied her some pictur-
ed saint
Harry Cleveland was leaning against the
window, a tall, handsome young fellow, with
dark eyes and hair, and brown cheek,
flushed deeply with anger and modification
Yes, Mr.. Cleveland, it Is, said Raeh
ell, calmly lifting her clear eyes to his face.
You have asked me for my reasons-and
although lquestion your right to make such
demand, still [ have no objections torend
er them"
!. Speak on, said Harry, biting his lips
furiously, let me know why [ am con-
demned ~
They are soon spoken, said Rachel qui-
ety. 81 have liked you very much, MIR.
Cleaveland-still ike you-but in the man
whom | marry | look for greater frmness
and decision of purpose than you have ever
displayed. Earnestness, resolve, these are
the only qualities that | can respect Do
you misunderstood me? Do you suppose
that blame you for the lack of qualifca-
tions which-which-''
Rachel paused instinctively while the
pomgranate tinge on her cheeks blazed into
vivid scarlet in sympathy with the deep
blush that dyed her lover whole face He
bowed simply and walked out of the room
with firm, naughty step.
Late that evening he sat at his window,
with clenched teeth and lowering brow,
watching the fiery embers of sunset fade in
to the purple gloom, and noting the silver
of inDumerable consultations as they follow
ed one another over the black-concave Of
heaven. But the CLEAN of sun and stars
might have been Egyptian darkness for all
he knew or cared about their gentle infu-
ences.
Life |" he murmured darkly to himself
what is it worth to me now? W hat care
who wins the glittering prize in fate lot
terry, or who is engulphed in the whirlpool
of despair! To be rejected-and for mere
whim, too! III could only forget her as
quickly as she will forget me, the tickle,
beautiful enchantress -
Halo, Cleveland I'm going to call on
pretty Rachel Clay! Will you come along,
too?''
Capt Morrell had paused under the win
dow, with brown, and merry face turned up
ward, and the dim gas lamp Pickering over
his golden shoulder straps
Cleveland shook his head.
Not to- -nightY'
And Morrell went on his way, the fiery
eye Of his cigar cleaning itfully through
the darkness:
''There he goesr' muttered the solitary
misanthropic, with his guilt buttons and
his military airs and graces-and it is for
such as that Rachel throws away my love y
$50 you've enlisted, Henry? said old
Squire Clay, polishing the glasses of hisspec-,
tacles ''Well its what ID do myself, if [
was forty years Younger. Ain you comm
in to tell our Rachel goodbye? Haven't
time? Well | do declare -
The Squire gased in astonishment after
the vanishing figure of Harry Cleveland on
horseback, as it disappeared among the
trees.
II wonder what Rachel will say, was his
unspoken comment.
But Rachel said nothing
Day by day the old wound ranked and
grew sorer to Harry Cleveland's heart.
"Will he live doctor?'
Every pulse in Rachel Clay's being seem
searched the doctor kind sun brownd face.
Live? Why shouldn't he? All he
needs is little care, and see he is likely
to get that Now don't blush up my dear,
he not the first soldier in my ward that has
got pretty girl come to nurse him, and l
like them all the better for it Give him
the draught when he wakes, and keep the
bandage on his forehead.
He'll probably carry an ugly scar to his
grave but that will be the worst of it.
The good old man trotted briskly away to
the next case while Rachel, kneeling be-
side the low iron bedstead, cried tears of in
tense thankfullness that Harry Cleveland
would not die.
Rachel I am not dreaming surely
yet it was but moment ago we made that
cavalry charge ON fixed bayonets -
His large, unnaturally brilliant eyes wan
dered vaguely round the room-then return
ed to the tender face bending over him.
1t was three days since, dearest; you
are lying in the barracks now, wounded,
and [ have come from Glenvllle to nurse
you"
You, Rachel p
'sWhy did you Gomez" he asked gloomi-
Because love you, Harry, she muir
INJURED, the bright crimson suffusing her
whole face.
A strange light of rapture flashed into
Harry eyes his pulse leaped within his
fevered veins.
Love me, Rachel; yet it is not month
since you refused mel
Dearest, because fancied you weak and
vascillating. In the fiery smoke OF the bat
tle-feld you have proved yourself worthy OF
the tenderest love you have written your
name there on the glorious though saDguine
rolls of your country Harry because re.
fused you once you will not reject me now!