The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-13
" WOUNDED"
I Concluded.

ConcIuOed.
Presently Cap tain Challouer stopped in the !
middle of his walk. His ear caught the |
sound Of music in the drawing across
the hall. He stood 4 moment to listen.
Young, sweet voices sang Annie Laurie.
Slowly he staggered back to his sofa again
carrying a horde OF half forgotten memories
memories which had gone to India year
ago with him, followed him all through the |
scenes Of war and death, aud returning
home again, only to be banished by fever
and Inconsistencies. Back they flowed
with double force as "Aunie Laurie" broke
the stiffness around.
"Her song her song he murmured 81
hoped l had forgotten her"
The poor wounded man struggled hard to
cover his face, bu; only the right hand was
able to perform it's work, and the man who
had once been strong and brave grosned in
neutrality-suspicious. for his helpless state, but
meThInks il was more at the memories
which the old song recalled.
81 could have borne it all had she not
married him-msrried that fellow-that
fool!' he groaned.
Alb, there was @ wound in Charles Chal.
lonner's hesrt far deeper than that in his
arm-s wound which time did not heal.
The opening of the door caused him to
look around. Then, trembling, staggering,
and ghastly, he rose to his feet. Was it the
ghost of his former love that came TO b i'm
there in the midnight silence, robed in white,
with her pale, beautiful face, rivalling her
dress q moment she paused, then, with
outstretched hand, Clara Holroyd came
toward him.
Captain Challoner," she said, 81 heard
you were here, they told ms-you were ILL.,
l am come to see you-to say | wronged
you once in my cruel foolishaess. But now
l ask you to forgive me.
Broken, disiolnted, almost Incompetent
sble as was her speech, he understood it.
1t was no ghost then it was really Clara
Horoyd-his frat, his only love. And the
face he had wearied and pinned to see was
now at his side, and the moonlight playing
upon it and upon the soft golden hair
Clara Holroyd, more beautiful than ever,
because of the pride, the hAteur that was
gone, the gentle, tender humility which had
come.
Captain Challoner saw the danger, and
remem bered she was another mana wife.
He recovered himselfa minute. He took
the outstretched had, felt the slender fingers
clasp his own, then csrelesslY let it go. And
Clara stood there looking at him, with
yearn of sorrowful pity In her face she
could see how i'll he had been how weak he
was, aud when her eyes fell upon the poor,
helpless, wounded srm, great tears swelled
into them.
How different from the Charles Challoner
of old Brave, bright Charles Challoner,
who had gone away and left her because
she had airteI with Sir. Phillip Fairfax, in
stead Of being contented with his honest
love.
Oh, Charlie, Charlie, forgive me say you
forgive me- she cried, in allow, sweet, plain
tive voice, forgetting all else, but the mem
DRY of the old, true love. Charlie, you
should never have gone away without word
that time. know that deserve it but /
was true to you, indeed ! was. / never
cared"
Hush y said he.
Cold, stern, and proud the soldier flung
her hand from his arm. 1t was the frat
word he had spoken, but there was no sound
of love or forgiveness in the tone. 1t nearly
broke Claras heart.
"Hush!" he repeated. He is your hus-
band now, Lady Fairfax. Do not prove
your truth to me by being false to him. 1t
is too late now"
who told you was marrled?' she cried,
with breathless gasp.
\ bitter smile curled his lip as he re-
Piled
"You forgot that English papers travel to
India, and though they may not always be
the bearer of pleasant things, at least they
are truthful. 1t was through them learned
that Clara Holroyd was married at Brigh
ton in January last to Sir Philip Fairfax,
the owner of lDuuden Hall Staffordshre.
the"
"The greatest fool in London" he would
have added 10 his bitter seorn, but he
checked himself, sinking YEARLY back upon
his couch.
There came q light over Clara Holroyd' q
face-the old glad light which left it when
Charlie Challoner went away so suddenly to
India. 1t came back now slowly, but sure
Ia ~ Standing here before him, with her