Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-02-04

it dropped out OF sight behind the hiii'
Then Jack turned TO mo with gay smile
that was somewhat belie0 by his droop-
ing syelids.
"Hal looks like prince sf the blood in
bis now uniform" he said, land carries
himself like one. too. What magnih-
cont fellow he is! But what il the mat
ter with him, Grey' | scent trouble in
the air. He is not himself. lately"
Just my own impression. also. But |
did not care 10 discuss the matter. The
day was u busy one; and when night
camo, we were glad TO wrap ourselves
in our blankets and 90 to sleep.
Hal returned the next MOI ming
"Hallo, old fellow, how's llilltopi"
cried Jack, dancing around him in fever
OF impatience. "Who did you seeg
How are all The folks7"
lie soon receievcd quietus in the
shape OF sundry packets and parcels.
Then Hal turned TO me.
There's no change at headquarters, /
suppose p he said, intsrrogatively "wo
get out OF this today"
answered afiirmatively.
''rhe Lord be praised n ho exclaimed.
II could not stand this inaction much
longer, Grey" and he fell viyorousl, to
work. packing his knapsack.
He had quite The air ol happy Ro
moo. whose lips were still warm with tho
kisses oG his Juliet But had no time
to puzzle over il, aud 10y sundown We
wore of.
This Is no Wal story and Il is uscd.
less to tell OF our marehingS and coui
tel- malchlngs, our perils. our victories
aud our defeats. 1t il enough To .sy that
we were in Virginia, that vast mausoleum
OF two armies. aud that we three Hilltop
boy. had no reason 10 be ashamed oi our
record.
But through il all, aud undcrly ing ALL
there wa. something abont Hal Brannr,l
that could not understand. llc Was
brave. even To rashncss But il seemed
+ tu mo more like the recklessuoss of tho
man who holds his lilo of little worth,
than the bravery OF him who takes Il
vsluily In his hand. ready. If it is requit
ed Vi him. TO Offer ii up In all i,s full,
.sest completeness One rvening-it
was on tho owe of su engagement-l
renlsred TO demonstrate with him
You are too reckless, Hail." said.
"A man has no right TO throw his life
away nocdlessly. even in battle. Think
what it would be TO Tbyrza, il you were
TO be left in some nAmelesS grave down
here"
lie started rs il the bullet had already
found him. Whether you sbelieyc it or
not. We three had messed together ever
since we left Vermont; we had lrsmped
side by side through Virginia mud; we
had shared each others ralions and
blankets in many stress OF danger and
fatigue; hut the name OF Tbyrza Har-
rington had never passed our lips since
that day in camp at Brattleboro'. Hal
was always relicent. lie was the sort Of
man who held YOU at arms length, il he
pleased; and any subject he chose to ig-
more WAS sealed book. lie had not
chosen 10 talk of hsr. aud SO Jack and |
had been silent But that night the
spiri, moved me strongly-and | spoke,
lie started. as have said. and his
bronzed face flushed. But after mo.
msnt ne answered quietly:
81 10 not expect 10 be killed. Grey /;
Tor have learned. since | came down
here. that il takes deal OF ammunition
to kill one man. But il | should tall. |
think Thyrza would manage to endure
it," lac added in a low tone. us he tossed
u pebble into the road with the toe Of his
boot.
MANAGE 10 endure h !" cried. "What
10 you mean. HalP Is she not your
promised wiieP'
"'I-suppose-so." he answered slowly.
according 10 the letter OF the law. But
what is The letter good for when the
spirit is gomez What 10 the body worth
without tho soul ?'
The iush had faded. and he was pale
ss ghusI,
Il am sure you are beside yourself.
Hat" said, laying my hand upon his
arm "but it will do you good TO break
the silence in which you have wrapped
yourself. Make clean breast Of it.man,
for your souls sake. What is the trouble
with you and ThyrzaP"
Trouble enough no answered,
doggedly. II have reason to believe
that she made mistake in engaging her.
self TO me. II should happen 10 be
picked OF by one OF these Internal bull
lets" he added. grimly. lit would be Il
fortunate circumstance. II would set her
free you see, without any fuss,"
There was q sleIa compression of his
! lips. a metallic hardness to his voice.
Yet Hal Brainard's nature was brave,
tender. and womnnly. probed him
with questions rs surgeon probes u
wound.
And you" asked. "havo you made
a mistake toop"
"'If she be not fair 70 me,
What esrs how fair nRe be-"
hs quoted lightly, Then, AS if some
wave Of feeling swept over him. tearing