The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-15

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EQnziutsda aslsir lzlz, 20 sllEd S6s1 Mn
that day, pszcsising Ahet thssa aaasiEbe
"Well. .Heins,s said, you see you
wero wrong IN one thing; there are others
besidos tho Van D0fms who Who would mourn mourn
you when dead"
He looked up with glistening eyes.
"Yes, God bless the poor fellows! I
didn't dream they cared SO much for
me-"
''Learn one thing by this" I said, sig
nifcantly. "It is not the deepest or
truest affection that processes the most"
He dropped his eyes, and for mo.
ment was silent. Then he said:
''They will all hear of my death. Ned
Trask, who told these fellows, told them
he had written to Van Dorms and sent
the paper"
'Such an unlucky mistake!" 1 said,
and went in fever of annoyance, to
scold the ward and send the right
card to the Office.
Later in the afternoon, Heine beckon-
ed me to him. There was little unu-
sual color in his face, and q light in his
eyes; and though he smiled, it was not
merry smile.
GIVE been thinking that will wait
awhile before writing" he said "Per-
haps 1 ought not. but would like to see
how they NIL take it."
/ agreed with him. Perhaps it was
wrong, but L also would like to know
how they oil would take it. So we prac-
ticed mastery inactivity, and waited.
Two days after, as quickly as the mail
could carry letter, came an epistle di-
rected to the lady nurse of ward six,
New Jerusalem hospital. 1 opened it,
and read ut the bottom of the second
page. Gertrude G. Van Dorm" Itwas
precious epistle, written, rs she assured
me, by woman at death's door, although
the writing was uncommonly firm, and
the language surprisingly fluent for
person in that condition. She also rs
like son, being engaged to her eldest
sat by Heine, feeling angry enough with
him for his engagement, and fully will
ing to teach him the whole truth.
"Heine, L said, holding up the letter
before me, "AIrs. Van Dorm is anxious
that your watch md any papers and
money you may have died possessed of,
should be sent to her forthwith"
He colored, and looked intently Mt me,
but said nothing.
"She says that she has done q great
deal for you," went on, "and that you
are under great obligations to her"
81 told you what they have DONE" he
said, little hastily. 'For the rest,
have always paid my board, and never
counted the many presents have made
them. tried to pay them ten-fold all
the expense they have been at for me,
and guess have succeeded"
"She is very far gone," said, show
ing him the letter. "See how feeble the
writing is? 1t is impossible for them to
come on after your body. She supposes
it will be decently buried here"
Heine grew redder in the face, and n
look of pain and modification clouded
his usually frank expression.
"She says that you were engaged to
her daughter" said finally.
A spark of fire shot from his wide
opened eyes.
cit is lie!" he cried
L gave him the letter and lie read it,
his hands shaking and his eyes flashing,
while he read, and at the last word, he
fiercely tore the sheet from end to end,
then turned and hid his face in his pill
low. I think the poor fellow shed tears
at the bitterness of this awakening.
bent over him for whispered word
Remember the comrades who loved
you SO much better than you thought
Perhaps they are not the only ones" I
then left him to get over his troubles as
best he might.
Once in awhile. as I went about, 1
glanced at him, sitting pale and grave.
pretending to read. When found time,
1 was about going to ask him what +
should do about answering the letter.
when one of the nurses came to me, say
ing that lady was in my room waiting
to see me. went out Immediately.
Going into my shaded room, saw a
small black-robed figure sitting in my
arm chair, and as she put her veil further
back, caught sight of thin, white face.
that turned towards me. She said not a
word, and did not rise, but only sat
there, rs if half fainting, and looked at
me. Alas! in that sorrowful place, I had
grown too familiar with such sights of
sadness.
On looking more closely, I saw that
this little lady was young girl, but SO
pale and hollow-cye that at first glance
1 might have taken her for twice her
age.
my DEAR" said, taking her hand,
"you have come here to look for some