The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-03-14

"Dear old John"
"And John is after all--T,
"a hero"
"And Mr.. Dermot--?"
SIS most contemplate coward,
as | always knew him to be- said
Kitty, omphatically.
"Where is John?"
"John's gone"
And for many q long day, too,"
volunteered Frank Lee. "John is
II soldier; enlisted last night. His
regiment was under marching Or
dcrs to leave at noon to-day"
Agnes buried her white face in
her hands and fell to sobbing on
Kitty's bosom.
Quite true it was that John had
gone. How bitterly she remember
ed now all the cruel things she had
said to this great loving John.
How insignigcant Mr. Delmot ap-
peared in comparison.
How many times she awakened
in the night, fancying herself srug-
Cling in the water, u little dandy
swimming away from her, and John
throwing aside his soldiers jacket,
and coming out to her.
Dear old John-her early play
mate-forever gone.
She read all of the war news,
scanned eagerly the list Of the
dead, shuddering lest his name
shold appear in the black-bordered
column.
Months went by and no news
from John. Then after q long
time they heard of a brave soldier
fighting recklessly, daringly; of
swift promotion, But the months
glided into years and tho years
grew terrible, for John never sent
q single line, nor a single word.
Kitty had married, and a little
Frank Lee (namcd for his fathcr)
was the autocrat Of her household.
Agnes had become u sad-taccd
woman, the blue eyes shining soft
and pleasant, with n far-away, ten
der look, lying in their depths.
Kitty's youngest sister, Mollic, u
dashing, pcttcd little creature OF
sixteen, was spending the winter at
Kitty's home.
"Oh, we are to have such splcn-
did time" she was saying, "and the
lion Of the evening is to be Mr..
Langdon."
Langdon ?" said Kitty, quickly
glancing at Agnes.
"Langdon," involuptarily repeat
ed Agnes, her face pallid, and hcl
lips growing white.
Yes, Colonel Langdon. Thu
bravcst Of mcn--a real hero, llk'
one reads of in novels. He's beer
travelling in Europe since the war
The girls are all crazy, he is sucl
Il catch. say, Kitty, Pm going tC
set my cap for him. It's something
worth while. Now, cousin Agnes
| want you to be Cinderella
and stay in the kitchen. / have
noticed that that quiet way Of yours
is dreadfulIy taking among the gcn'
tlemen. But I'm bound this time tc
get ahead Of YOU" and the merry
girl went skipping away.
Agnes sighed, and cast look in
to the mirror, at the white face re-
tiectod there, and thought how ia
dcd it must appear by tho side of SC
many younger and treshcr ones.
The party was Il success. Whil'
the guests were coming in, Agnes sa
with her eyes resting upon the door
with her hand upon her heart wait
ing for the appearance Of the MAJ
whom she desired to see above al
others. ....'. ......
At last the announcement came
Colonel Langdon.
A blue coat, with cpualcts on thu
shouldcrs-an empty slcevc--;
great form towering n head abov'
all others in the room--a bearded
brown face, and Agnes knew tina
this was John. Yes, the same OLE
John, to whom she had once beel
SO dear.
Awkward John was smiling pleas
antly, shaking hands with ole
friends, and becoming acquainted
with new ones. ..
Agnes saw Kitty take him by th
arm-felt him coming. The ho
blood rushed to her face-then lef
it white as death. ..... .
"Agnes. an old friend" said tn
arch Kitty" Colonel Langdon."
AS she placed her hand within
his, hers trembled, his was firm.
Every happy" said Colonel Lang
don, "to meet Mrs. Dermot, after 81
many years"
"Dermot" grasped Agnes.
"You mistake, john" said Kitty
laughing. "Agnes has never mar
ried,' and the little lady turned
away, fancying she had made things
quite smooth between them.
Not so, however. Agnes fell
choking, and the Colonel's easy
manner deserted him he was EN-.
barrassed and an awkward silence TO
lowed. A merry group spied him
and he was presently whisked away
Agnes sat near o window, hei
white face laid back against the
crimson hangings. The Colone!
would glance toward her now and
then, with a troubling expression in
his eyes then devote himself with
renewed energy 10 the beauties that
surrounded him.