The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-11-24

room for the new comers; but we give them
the best care we can while life is in Frank
Gordon isn't dead yet, but l am sorry to say
of the poor fellow that there is no hope for
him. There was rumor this morning that
he had slipped away; but am glad to say
that half an hour ago he was still alive"
In few moments they stood by the pallet
of the dying man. as.stl 3 tnas1
"Gordon, here is friend inquiring for you"
said the doctor. "I will leave you with him,
Lieutenant" ....s
3 ] was well he turned his back to depart as
he spoke, or he might have been witness to an
indescribable scene. The wounded man rails
ed his eyes languidly, and Instantly started to
sitting posture. Then in minute more
they were in each others arms, the wounded
man unable to say more than single excla-
nation, the other speaking hastily in reply to
the doctors protest. - ~ .o
"We are only brothers. Pardon me, doc
tor" rrrfffF
"Yes-but my dear sir, this will never do
the excitement would probably kill him at
once" .f-sns - - 81
"Oh, no; must and shall stay here and
nurse him. There, Frank, lie down and be
quiet; you must mind me if am to be your
nurse sarl s# tsHI blaie4.b III
The wounded man lay down once more, but
over his pale face flush had spread that look
ed something like returning health. In his
eyes burned a sacred Joy that made him for
get hospital life and its surroundings, and
looked upon the face of the officer holding his
hand. 4t.af|iJsf jra3 4.oa
Now, doctor, you must let me be nurse. l
will not trouble you bit, and will take the pa
tient off your hands. He must get well for
mysake."
with all my heart" responded the doctor.
"Gordon, Pm glad you've got somebody to
look to you. It's tight work to give every one
their due. hope your nurse will do you
good. III you want anything of me and the
thing is possible, Pll do it," sae
10 And SO the doctor bid them goodbye and
walked away. s .Ca
"Oh, Eleanor, why did you come to this
place 2" 1t seems like a dream But YOU
bic hospital" '+s-1 'e
YES, Frank when I. can take you with me,
but not before. And now remember, darling.
this IS my first lesson as nurse. My name IS
not Eleanor, but Lieut.. Smith Gordon OF the
11th Michigan, and am your brother. You
must call me Smith, but remember my posi-
ton is sale unless you betray me. Now then,
one kiss only to seal the bargain, and then re-
member that men don't kiss each other"
Towards evening, when the doctor made
his rounds, he was astoniShed to be able to re-
port that there was manifest improvement in
+ Lieut.. Gordon, and congratulated his brother
on the effect OF his nursing. The servant of
the latter arrived, and according to directions
had been admitted with the young officers
luggage, from which appeared a pair of blank
cts, a clean shirt, and many little necessaries,
and even luxuries, that the good doctor de-
clared contained health in their very looks.
The days sped on. and each was marked by
the improvement of the man who had been
given up to death. Unceasing by his side sat
the never-wearying young officer, sometimes
reading such books and papers as scould be had
to while away the time. H9N 'e'
We arc come to an end. AT last day ar
rived when the officer could leave his couch
and go out into the open air, and then it was
upon the arm of this young lieutenant that he
leaned for support Pale they were both
one from the weary confinement of the hos
pital pallet, the other from watching beside it
but upon the face of both shone happiness
that could be generated only by love. We
claim the privilege of listening to some oil
these walks. ltI rJ.l5f1.I0 0tnH ~
"That unworthy life you saved, Eleanor,
shall henceforth be devoted to you only"
Had there been lOokers-on as well as listen
ers, they would at that identical moment have
witnessed the extraordinary spectacle OF two
persons in the uniform of the Union service,
clasped in each others arms-the taller press,
ing kisses upon the lips, cheeks, eyes and fore
head of the other; and within week after, il
I they bad scanned the columns of the Cncin-
natl papers, they would have seen the follow
ing paragraph: D'"
Married, on Thursday last, by the Rev. Mr..
M. Teasdalc, Lieut.. Frank Gordon, u. S. A.,
to Eleanor, only daughter of Samuel Price, Of
this city. - s
Our story is told.