Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-05-09

But more thar al, one memory saved me. |
The memory of that kind honest face, seen
but once, bu; never to be forgotten. There
were meme like him there; ropo with his gal
liant bearing, bis noble face. or good heart
Beside the picture in nv heart, the men
around me sank into utter insignifcancs;
they could not min thous hit from me, rneh
absent :
An eagle button, set in rich chasing Oh
ra,,eh rad rold always glittered like star
upon nv beast. None knew rs n,s,o's'
though many lopred to know. But look
ed upon it as . talsman wnich """u VIZ
day bring its givsr back 10 me. ~
had not once lost sight Of him during Al
.has. wa.,vv Years. The beautiful iaoy VINO
nd once greeted him, would never gtes'
rim ON earth again that PROUD oiow, ovsr
.h;ch thu diamond shons, Was is'd osnee.n
A.. sh,frch. yard mould. He was alone. he
80. e.. "a love me if he would. But when
, 1900 Of him thus, always sighsd and
shook my head.
-o,jd he there. And on the evening OF
vh,ob am writing, sat in the parler. sur |
rounded By nv usual train. secretly swat |
inc his sppssrsncs. only half listened 70
their rapid remarks, and my eyes locking
carelsssly over the crowded rooms, Kept
yiRilant, though stealthy watch upon the
doo,. How little those around me guessed
what was passing in my heart
He came at last. A little more serious
and reserved, . very little distracted, and
looking as il he longed to be away, he WAS
led up before me. He bowed lew rs he
heard my name, but saw, with an inward
pang, that he had forgotten it. Well. the
Major was now General-feted, and fat
tered. and famous-how could dream be
would remember mer
He sat beside me, talking with . we'll
bred, but somewhat indifferent air, with
sudden movement of mine, made the eagle
button flashed with light. He started, gave
me rapid scrutinizing look, and then his
lace lit up with that beautiful, kind smile
remembered so we'll.
"My dear child" he exclaimed. taking
nv hand in his. ond bending down pleas
ed and animated face. "Can 1t be you! |
did not recognize you here"
my dear childr' How grateful my heart
felt for the sweet, pet name! But those
around me seemed struck With dismay at so
| familiar an address. did not mind them,
but taking his offered arm, We walked away
to = more quiet saloon, to renew our ac-
quaintancs there. I WAS only too glad to
desert the foolish crowd around me and Of.
ter loosing faith in cvsrything to look into
those clear eyes, and feel sure that truth
and candor were in the answering glance,
was indeed joy.
"And 30 you have kept my poor token, F"
he said, thoughtfuly, a. the party broke up,
and We rose to go. II have not been for.
gstful Of the fair young child who was %
kind 40 to listen to me-" He touched 9
spring in small lockst, half hidden beneath
his vest, and shovel me my rosebuc, faded
and discolored, but preserved carefully. Ny
heart leaped with . sudden bound, but
was too happy to speak.
From tina, evening he was constantly BY
my side Younger men trying to win my
notice, and only rewarded now and then
with = languid smile. would draw back
with ludicrous astonishment when grew
animated as he came near. had grown
weary Of playing part. loved him frank
", freely and tenderly-1 believed he lovec
me and could not q I'm cold, Or formal Il
satisfy prejudiced and exacting world.
A careless word from an oficious friend
aroused me. And then the thought tor
meutei me-that I-who had been 50 Ion I
cold and unmoved, | who had grown cole
in the hypocrisy of the world, and who wa,
an adept in all it's a,ts-hsd allowed my sci
to hurried along blindly-had shown my
heart to one who was panied by what be
saw there, and only kept silence because hi
knew not what say.
The thought WAS maddening to one 81
proud as |. bore the keen torture for I
day, and kept aloof from him; but whsr
evening came, my resolution was taken.
} would leave the place-lesve him ard nevs
look upon his face again. And having Il
ken this resolution, and ordered my matt
to pack my trunks, | went down again int
the saloon.
1t was empty, and leaning from the win
dow, could see the gay party just leaving
, the grounds for a moonlight stroll befor'
the evening dance commenced. leauet
my head on my folded arms, and sighe'
J heavily. At that moment felt unspeaka
bly, wrstched.
Nv sigh was echoed back again, and look
up | saw General Underhill standing besid
me. dared not give myself time to think
and exclaimed:
| Il Hm SkAu u scc you ueies Ioi gu
going early tomorrow morning. | will sal
good bye pow"
He took the hand held out.
And this is your farewell TO me- he sal,
: in an agit.ted voice.
at is" said quickly, for fslt frmnes
leaving me, ard knew should be away
"Good bye. NY best wishes attend you.
"If it must Be soi' he answered. AM
then he was silent and felt the hand trem
bic that held mine. Suddenly tear spar
kled in the light, aud looking up, saw hi
eyes were full.
1t was too much, And something in M
face must have told him all, for he cried GU
earnestly
"Mary, | love you Meier lcavsme."
81 never will! l never will | mur
INJURED, and went up close to him as b
opened bis arms, and laid my head upeI
his breast.
: "The Old Soldiers Darling" Yes, the
call me 90; he calls the 20, and love tn
name But is he .'old p True, the snow!
hair and furrowed brow are there-but Oh
the loving smile, the warm heart, the stronI
arm-thsss make him young to me. Their
is not one like him; 90 gallant and 30 true
Happiest Of all happy homes 10 our-hap
pisst Of all happy wives am l! And o
much Of romancs still ,emains in cur hearts
that the eagle button and the rosebud Or
still worn and treasured a. the dsares
tokens Of siovs that knows no change
|