Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-07-14

smote Nettie's compassionate heart. Muir
murs of thanks followed her as she passed
along, and lips quivering with pain, iuvok-
ed Heavens choicest blessings on her fu-
ture life. She at last came to the couch
of one more emaciated than the rest, and
who seemed to bear his illness more un-
complainingly. Sickness had robbed his
lips of their coral hue; with health had
fled the ruddy color in his cheek; his eyes
were deep-sunken; but neither sickness
nor pain could dim the lustre of those
eloquent eyes. and as Ncttie approached,
those large, deep, loving orbs were illu-
minated with the joyous light Of happy
recognition, and Nettie beheld Edward
Darcy NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. She could
never have recognized his face. 1t had
changed sadly. but she could not mistake
the warm sunlight of his emotional nature,
shining through those radiant windows
of his SOUL" Forgetful of all around, she
cried out:
ut is-it must be my long lamented
Edward" and overcome by the sudden
transport of her ecstasy, she fell half faint
ing. Restoratives applied by her friend
soon rallied her strength, however, and
no language could faithfully depict her
varied emotions, when she was restored to
consciousness and was assured that it was
no dream
Edward Darcy still lived. He was ter
ribly wounded in the shoulder and leg at
g., remaining insensible for long
while, was left on the field of battle among
the slain. Some good man in the neigh
borhood, discovering symptoms Of life,
and touched by his manly beauty. resolv-
ed to carry him to his lowly home. Here
his wound was most kindly attended. In a
month or SO he thought himself sufficient
ly recovered to join the army, and being
eager to do so, started out Immediately
The fatigue occasioned by walking great
ly increased the painfulness of his wound.
It was terribly swollen and inAamed, and
be crippled for life. A few days after
freachins tAs-G Confederate camp. he was
attacked by long and tedious fever, from
which he was only slowly recovering when
be met Nettie. He soon told her of bis
afaiction. generously offering to release her
from the engagement.
dearest Nettie," he said, II love you
most devotedly, but I am cripple for
life. Irelease you"
"God knows" he added with quivering
lips, "the utterance of these words occa-
sion me deeper agony than the surgeons
knife has ever brought"
Nettie's eyes were sufused with tears,
and her heart kindled in enthusiastic ad.
niration Of her lover as she replied
my crippled Edwards heart is far
dearer to me than all the world contains
It is my diamond above all price, and I
will keep the jewel proudly" She more
softly added-''Dear Edward, my heart
has been too long united to yours to be
divorced by affection" Then with one
of her sweetest smiles, the saucy light in
her eyes sparkling through the glisteniug
tear-drops that gemmed her silken lashes.
she exclaimed, mo, will not give you
up. You shall not flint with me, Lieut..
Darcy"
We will not attempt to describe Edward
Darcy's rapture. He soon recovered from
the effects of fever, but was too disabled
to render any more service to the "Con-
federate States" so resolved to accompany
Nettie to Richmond. A short time after
their arrival in this city, they were mar
ried. in the most quiet manner, as became
the calamitous times. After the war they
returned to their native State, purchasing
sunny little spot near DR.. Wharton's.
They have built beautiful cottage on
the shrubby slope of gentle hill. The
grand old Potomac almost kisses the snow
white palings that enclose the emerald
lawn and it, gladdens the hearts of Net
ties friends, as they listen to the gleeful
music Of her joyous laugh. It rings out
as gaily as of old. symphoniously mingl-
ing with the merry waves in their sportive
dance to the silvery beach.
Lieut.. Darcy will never throw his cane
aside, but bis limb renders him much bet
ter service than when he left Richmond.
Salus has again touched his cheek with
her glowing finger, and his popular man
ner and brilliant mind ensure him fine
practice in the neighborhood in which be
resides. He enjoys degree of happiness
which but seldom falls to the lot Of NOR
tai. his loving little Nettie, by her win
some ways. her intellectual sympathies
and amiable domesticities shedding
moonlight halo of serene DELIGHT and