Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-04-25
battle. Hilton was among the first to

FOJOmaC. We IOSe Hill III It's l1dICueS
and conference.-the, and find him again
during those bloody days in the Wilder
ness. Fighting like heroes by day and
falling back by night before overpower-
ing numbers, we find his regiment. The
wounded lay on every hand, suffering,
dying. Mere youths, familiar at home
with every comfort, lay numb and pitt
full in blood-stiffened garments, without
even the simple solace of cup of water.
The hateful smoke of cannon stifled
their last breath, and heated messengers
of death Kissed past the ears of victims
already manned, to win fresh ones from
the ranks'o the living. 1t was terrible.
There was but one nurse with Colonel
HiltOn's regiment-a young lady who had
attached herself to it some months be-
fore, under the protection of brother,
and who was noted throughout the di-
vision for both skill and courage in the
performance of her duties, as well as
for the unexceptionable character of her
life In defiance of positive orders from
the Colonel, she had always been on the
battle field, and she did not shrink now.
On the third day Colonel Hilton was
severely wounded, and she was called to
his side ."E ............
eff your quick fingers have the
skill, nor your brown eyes their charms,
my poor boys yonder ascribe to them,
you will have me on horseback again in
week or two, % said the gallant Colonel
with faint smile on his pale face, as
the nurse approached his rough couch.
Il will do all / can, sir-they have
need of you a
Always modest, Miss Morgan. Why,
do you know that every man in the reg
iment swears by you and"
''GOu are not to talk, the surgeon
says, sir" interrupted the nurse.
''Ah you are my master, see, and
| must obey" l..e..
There was o great deal for Miss Nor
gan to do In all those days OF slaughter,
but she found time to remain with the
Colonel each day.
II am so miserably lonesome" he said
one day, ''that l am sure | shall never
get well without company. An hour of
your presence is worth more than an
ambulance of medicine.
She colored deeply, but made no reply
The Colonel had spoken true, hOwev-
err, and he worried Ia way as to utter.
" discourage his kind hearted attendant,
if Miss Morgan's light step was not
heard at the usual hour. He did not
stop to think how it would end, lying
there in the Virginia woods, with the
sound of the battle roaring in his ears,
and his whole thoughts fixed upnn his
sad-eyed nurse: He only knew that an
element seemed cut from his existence
when she was not present, and that was
the best definition he could have
given of his feeling, # he had had a
mind to try, which he had not ANA,
as selfish as we all are, who among our
readers would have done differently?
The retreat soon came. Flesh and
blood could not stand in line in that wild
forest, with the enemy on every side.
With the wounded of her regiment, Miss
Morgan went to Washington. where
the Colonel was still among her patients.
Every day he made new demands upon
her time And so the lives of the two
drifted on until he was convalesccnt.
Then they were more together than eV-
err, and the end was what it always was
in such cases. He told his love in
straightforward way, just as he did ev-
erything,
Give me time to Think, Mr. Hilton.
she answered with look of misery in
her soft eyes the occasion did not seem
to warrant.
To think All, to whom could think
ing be more bitter Those who know
Miss Morgan not to be Miss Morgan will
know. If there are any who have tOiled
years for purpose and have almost won
and only a single person stands in the
way, they will know what she wanted
to think about. The person is Miss
Loche-is there any further use for Miss
Morgan?
Would it not be best to take up the
new life Providence seemed to offer. and
let the old one go without a word ? 1t
had been years since she had allowed
herself to think what she had been, and
now she must lay her old self bare be-
fore the gaze of one whom she loved. 1t
was hard to answer The temptation
was strong, but she conquered. She
would learn his opinion without commit
ting herself, and then if there was no
hope, he need never know why he had
been refused. The next day presented
a chance. They were discussing the
woman suffrage moYement-the moral
features of it,
IF it will prevent others from sin
ing, said the colonel carelessly, Il say
yes; but as for those who are already
down-all the power of heaven cannot
raise them. They have cast a shadow
over their own lives that can never be
lifted. 1pity them, but | could not help
them if | would. Why, You feel too
deeply upon this question, Miss Morgan
-Clellie, you will let me call you that ?
All of those poor creatures are not worth
one moments sorrow from one so pure
as you, my darling!"
Miss LOche had turned deadly pale,
and her eyes were full of tears.
''Mr. Hilton, | have done much-sO
they tell me-during this unhappy strife, /
and saved many lives, not so much by .
skill as by patient effort. Could not !
what have done blot out the sins of
one fallen woman"
'Great heavens why will you make /
such a comparison ?"
"AnsWer me :"
Eyes, | believe it might"
''And could not man forget where |
God has forgiven :"
eve are terribly imperfect, Clellie; I .
fear not.
Then I am LOST" More like a groan
than words was the sound from her .
white lips. .
''What can you mean You lost! .
you. who are so good and true :"
''YOu have only known me for few
Mr. Hilton"
'My God! Clellie, you could never .
have been less than you are now ~
''Puro in heart always, but-God pity
ne :"
The colonel staggered as from a blow.
and sank into a chair.
81 have loved yOu well, ClelIie Nor
gan, he moaned, ''but it must all end
now"
eyes" she answered, calmly. $50
,iety keeps up its law, where | believe
Sod has forgiven I, too, have loved.
not for weeks, but for years When You
vas student, with eyes blinded by work
saw and loved you. May God forgive
rs both" She turned to the door.
''Stop!" The colonel was on his feet.
md trying to stop her. ''Yon are my
aviOr-to you | owe all | am, | love
my wife!"
s'NO. Colonel Hilton T will have no