Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-05-13

door, now httle those around me guessed
what was pairing in my hearti % .ap
He came, at last. A little more seriou,
and reserved, . very little abstracted, and
looking o. IL he lonsed to be away, he va,
led up before me. He bowed low as be
heard my name, but saw, with an inward
pang, that he had forgotten it Well, the
Major was now Genersl-fsted and fat.
tered, and famous-how could I dream he
would remember mei f la.
He sat beside me, talking with q we'll
bred but somewhat Indifferent air, with o
sudden movement Of mine, made the eagle
button fash with light. lie started, gavo
me rapid sc.utinizins look, and then his face
lii up with that beautiful. kind smile | re-
membercd 50 well. ...
my dear child la exclaimed, taking
my hand in his, and bending down pleased
and animated face. Can It be you? | did
not recognize you here"
my dear child |" How grateful my
heart felt for the sweet pet name! But those
around me seemed struck with dismay at 80
familiar an address. I did not mind them,
but taking his offered arm, we walked away
to more quiet saloon, to renew our &C.
quaiptenance there. I was only too glad to
desert the foolish crowd around me and
after loosing faith in everything to look into
those clear eyes, and feel sure that truth
and candor were in the answering glance,
was indeen q joy. ..-7.-
And SO yon have kept the poor token"
he said, thoughtfally, as the party broke up
and We rose to 60. II have not been for.
getful Of the fair young child who was 80
kind as to listen to me-" He touched
spring in small locket, half hidden beneath
his vest, and showed me my rosebud, faded
and discolored, but preserved carefully
My heart lcaped with q sudden bounds but
l was too Happy to speak. l
From that 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 1 grew
animated as he came head. had grown
weary Of playing a part. 1 loved him
frankly, freely and tenderly-I believed he
loved mc-and could not seem cold, or for.
NAL to satisfy a prejudiced and exacting
world. .r ..t -.
A careless word from an oficious friend
aroused me. And then the thought tor
meuted me-that l-who had been so long
cold and unmoved, who had grown cold
in the hypocrisy Of the world, and who was
an adept in all its arts-had allowed myself
to be hurried along blindly- had shown my
heart TO one who was paincl by what he
saw there, and only kept silence because he
knew not what to say. E ..
The thought was maddeniug to one so
proud as |. I bore the keen torture for
day, and kept aloof from him; but when
evening came my resolution was taken. I
would leave the place leave him and never
look upon his face again. And having
taken this resolution, and ordered my maid
to pack my trunks, I went down again into
the saloon.
1t was empty, and leaning from the win
dow, | could see the gay party just leaving
the grounds for moonlight stroll before the
evening dance commenced. / leaned my
head on my folded arms, and sighed heavi
". At that momont I felt unspeakably
wretched.
My Sigh was echoed back again, and
looking up I saw General Underhill stand.
ing beside me. I dared not give myself
time to think, and exclaimed:
Il am glad to see you here. For I am
going early tomorrow morning. l will say
good bye now. ,t.
He took the hand I held out.
"And this is your farewell to me-" be
said in an agitated voice.
ut is," said quickly, for I felt 6rmness
leaving me, and knew l should be away
GOOD bye. My best wishes attend you.
If it must be sol" he answered. And
then he was silent; and l felt the hand
tremble that held mine. Suddenly tear
sparkled in the light, and looking up, I saw
his eyes were full.
It was too much And something in my
face must have told him eli, for he cried out
"Mary, l love you'll Never leave me |"
II never will I never will" I muir.
INJURED, and went up close to him as he
opened his arms, and laid my head upon
bis breast. @ Ha .v ~
"The Old Soldiers Darling" Yes, they
call me 80; he calls me so, and love the
name! But is he old? True, the snowy
hair and farrowed brow are there-but oh,
the loving smile, tho warm heart, the strtng
arm-these make him young to me. There
Is not one like him; 80 gallant 80 true !
Of all happy homes is ours-hap.
piest Of all happy wives am II And 80
much Of romance still remains in our hearts,
that the eagle button and the rosebud are
still worn and treasured as the dearest tokens
Of love that knows no change!
gs.' '---- -----'--s ~ -