Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-02-09
SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 9, 1867.

that Nettie was her own charming little self,
as she and Rosalie entered the long dining
room. As they took their seats, a handsome
officer approached Rosalie with an exquisite
bouquet, which he smilingly laid on her
plate Ia 't nt ON .-e
miss Howard, let me present my friend,
Col. Sydney" said Rosalie, with slight
blush. Nettie knew instantly who he must
be from her cousins description; Splendid
sodierly- looking fellow, with his right arm
in a sling. a.-f'7
$50 you are here at last, Miss Howard y
said the colonel, as he seated himself and
began to stir his cup of tea rather awk wkwardly
with his left hand. III have heard Miss
Rivers counting the days for week past,
and got at last to speculating upon your ar
rival myself. Thank YOU" as Nettie put
out her hand just in time to save his cup
from landing on the floor. 81 am so exceed
ing awkward that l have to make series of
apologies all the time; and yet one would
think | might be about used to it now"
glancing at his sling as he spoke.
YES" said Miss Phillips, with merry
laugh, "Col. Sydney has ruined two silks
and one muslin for me already; and yet do
you know, l believe you are sometimes half
glad of that wound, for it gives you an OPP
portunity of 5estowing such generous praise
upon friend" The colonel's eyes lit up.
''Such a friend !" he cried, enthusiastically;
then checking himself "But Miss Rosa!ie
is quizzing me now. You have heard the
story once too often ]" .
But have not" sale Nettie, rather ca
gerly, (she was always eager where a tale of
heroism was concerned y and if there is
story connected with that wound of yours,
you must tell it, Colonel Sydney"
"Ah you should see him to appreciate
my story" said the soldier, warmly-"this
friend of mine, Ray Laurence. His family
is one of the very first in the Old Bay State,
and we were boys and schoolmates lang
syne.' But about two years ago, Ray and
6uarreled. l don't hesitate to say it was all
my own fault, U am hot-headed, youknow,
Miss Resale , but never knew how much
my fault till of late. How loved the dear
out volunteered, and they gave me a cap
tain's commission in the - Massachusetts,
1t was consolidated company, and my sur
prise was great when, among the privates,
saw Ray Laurence. If had not been so
proud I'd have made it up at first; but
didn't and the ice between Us grew harder
day by day. After awhile l was promoted
to be major, and our regiment went through
some severe fighting at Balls Bluff and Lees
burg. l used to wonder why Ray did not get
promoted but know since then that he
twice refused commission, preferring to
serve as private. So it went on till we were
before Yorktown with Mcclellan. About
that time, I began to fairly long for my old
friend but still was too stubborn to make
the first advances. Then came the battle Of
| Williamsburg but our regiment was in the
reserve, and not engaged. Then that day
! of Fair Oaks-oh what charge that was
under the gallant Howard ~ and the sol
dicrs eyes flashed at the bare remembrance.
"Our regiment was ordered to take a bate
ry; the colonel was down, our lieutenant
colonel killed-so | led it. In the thickest
of the fight noticed that somebody was
! fighting hard at my side-and looking up
saw Ray. The tenth Georgia was coming
| down on us at run, and knew it was an
even chance if he ever came out alive.
wrung his hand hard; he threw his arm
around me with the Old boyish love. God
bless you dear fellow, said land then we
! were at it. got along well enough till one
! huge fellow set at me, and gave me pretty
severe cut in the head; the regiment, with
thinned ranks, was slowly falling back, and
| heard Ray say, Are you mad, Fred 2 My
! sword arm fell disabled at my side, and
nothing but death, and l don't know how
it happened; but they say Ray shot one
with his pistol, and sabered the other, then
carried me off the field himself The grand
noble fellow. Can say anything too strong
in praise of such friend But the worst
of it was, in carrying me of, Il was insensi
BILE, you know he received a dangerou:
wound in the thigh and when ] came tt
myself, was lying on the ground, grasped
tightly in Rays arms, with his blood stream
ing all over me-"
"Did he live2" and Nettie's lips were
white and her great, brown eyes full o
tears.
Liver Yes, thank God He has beer
slowly recovering, and was on the sick leave
last week, the Adjutapt wrote me. ! wisl
he were here. should like to show you {
real hero" a
Often as Rosalie had heard the history o.
the coonel's wound, she could not helE
being affected by his manner; but moi
caring to have him know the fact, she said
write for him, then. l always told Netti'
that her willful heart would be carried by
Storm a##s l.f
"In the meantime the tea grows cold,
said Colonel Sydney, changing the subject
But our friend Nettie sat still and pom
dered ; and thought, VI couiu love such
man as that" At last her reverie was CLOSED
by Rosalie's rising and the trio proceeded
to the parlor. E.
Now Nettie had surprisingly lovel,
voice, and, after much coaxing, the colone
finally escorted her to the piano. Some
how gay songs wouldn't come; her finger
played restlessly over the ivory KEGS, till a
last they struck the chords of that sweetest
most plaintive cry of broken heart
"Auld Robin Gray" Nettie did not see tina
the large room filed rapidly with charme,
listeners nor did she know that the "pecu
liar eyes" were gazing at her through tn
lace curtain by her side. She finished he
song then took Col. Syduey's arm IN he
quiet, graceful way, for promenade ON tn
piazza Net.ie's adventures and surprise
were not over for the day, for as they walk
ed slowly along, she beheld the old. fade'
uniform, and mst the gaze of her soldier o
the cars Just as she passed him, to he
utter amazement, Colonel Sydney darte'
| from her side, exclaiming:
"Good heaven Ray, my dear fellow
/ what cloud did you drop from2" hi ..1i
Nettie didn't wait any longer. With
little, low cry of astonishment she fle'
away. Up, up to her own room, and havin
Al. l.x,. hs.a