The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-01-31

herself up, and with the paper clasped I
in her hand, walked unsteadily down
to the gate and disappeared.
Months passed. | had been dis
charged from the service, for il seem
ed impossible that should ever be
strong enough to return to the field
again. Thyrza saddened, patient
woman now, rather than the sparkling,
brilliant girl who bewitched poor Hal
Brainard-this Thyrza and I were
much together. We did not often
talk OF Hal, but his memory was a
bond between us, and knew at last
how well she had loved him. 1t had
all been mistake, a misapprehension
on Halls part, growing. chiefly out of
bis own modesty, and the slight vain
alton he placed upon his own attrac.
tions. Fayette Blackmann was an
old friend, and was betrothed TO one
Of her cousns--"only that, and moth
ing more" The young couple were
married that autumn, and the beanti
ful mansion received its destined oc-
cupant.
/ never told Tbyrza what passed
between Hal and me that night in
Virginia. Ii she had ever noticed any
change in the tone Of his letters, she
had evidently attributed il TO the
haste in which they were often writ
ten, on the march, or on the battle
fields. Why should / disturb her +?
was alone in the cottage one night.
My mother had gone to watch with
sick ncighbor, aud l sat by the blazing
fire lost in waking dream. II was
early-for had jnst heard the whistle
Of the evening train though, in those
short December days, it had been dark
for hours. A step upon the piazza
startled me. and | felt, rather than
saw, that some body was looking
through the blinds. In another mo-
mcnt, Hal Brainard. bronzed, bearded
no disembodied spirit, but living,
stood before me, holding me with his
earnest eyes.
pass over the next few minutes.
"Bat now, Hal, tell me how il hap
pencd,". / said. when our first emotions
had expended themselves, aud had
him safe in my easy chair.
lie sat looking into the FIRE for a
full minute before be answered. His
mouth grew stern and hard.
"Do you remember the last talk we
had - he asked. "You must keep
that in mind if you would understand
what have to tell you. The bullets
did no, find me, Grey, have never
had so much as scratch. The man
next me in the ranks was blown to
pieces, but | was taken prisoner, and
when, many months afterwards, | es-
capped and made my way to the union
lines, l found | had been reported
killed. ! saw my name in an old
Tribune, in the dead list. ] said moth
ing, but ! thought the matter over.
Our old regiment was all broken up.
The path seemed plain before me.
Hal Brainard was dead and well out
OF the way. Let him rest. He had
neither kith nor kin TO mourn for him.
The new soldier who had arisen from
his ashes would fight rs well under
another name, aud Thyrza would he
free, after few salt tears and a period
of decent waiting, to marry n man who
would be more TO her than he could
ever have been"
"lSut," he went on, after moments
pause, during which his face was con-
vulsed with strong emotion; "But
Grey, my dear old friend, / did not
think they would have married so
soon," and his voice faltered. Il
thought they would have waited a,
least one little year. / deserved as
much consideration as that from Miss
Thyrza Harrington-surely l did"
/ was silent for minute from sheer
bewilderment. Then | broke out:
Married! Why, Hal"
"You see know all about it," he
said, interrupting me; "else should
not be here. / saw the names on the
register at Willard's, Grey-'Fayette
Blackman and wife'-and by the date
of the entry it was not three months
after my supposed death. 1t stunned
me, Harrison, and it hardened me-
Now / have run up here to take jus,
one look at you, aud then / 60 back
to my work again. You will keep
my secret, know, and let her think
me dead. 1t is better so"
| My thoughts had worked them
selves clear, at last.
Excuse me-" | said, 81 will be back
shortly"
/ darted up the street and was a,
Thyrza's door in less than minutes
time.
She was looking over package O
old letters, with faint, trembling
color in her cheek.
"Come with me-" I cried; Eve want
you over at our house. Never mino
your hair; that's all right"
, But while she was putting on hel
hood, l looked at her. A slight
f graceful figure robed in black; soft
wavy brown hair, that had escaped
from its confinement and floated ovel
her shoulders; grey eyes, with world
OF pathos in them; a sweet, tremu
lous mouth, and forehead sealet
, with Heavens own look of patience
That was what saw.
And it was what Hal Brainard saw
when, two minutes afterwards, b,
turned as ! opened the door.
i l stole softly away and left then
. alone.
There is not doubt that my ole
= comrade was dreadfully to blame
somehow. But Thyrza forgave hin
r and so do /.