Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-01-03

of Hal, but his memory was a bono
between us, and [ knew at last hov
well she had loved him. It had al
been mistake, a misapprehension OF
Halls part, growing chiefly out of hi
own modesty, and the slight valuation
that he placed upon his own attrac
tions. Fayette Blackmann was an ole
friend, and was betrothed to one O
her cousins-"only that, and nothing
more" The young couple were mar
fried that autumn, and the beautiful
mansion received it's destined occupant
/ [ never told Thyrza what passed be-
tween Hal and me that night in Vir
ginia. If she had ever noticed any
change in the tone of his letters, she
had evidently attributed it to the haste
in which they were often written or
the march, or on battle-felds. Why
should | disturb her?
[ was alone in the cottage one night
My mother had gone to watch with 6
sick neighbor, and I sat by the blazing
fire lost in a waking dream. It was
early-for I had just heard the whistle
of the evening train, though, in those
short December days, it had been dark
for hours. A step upon the piazzs
startled me, and I felt, rather than
saw, that somebody was looking thro
the blinds. In another moment, Ha7
Brainard, bronzed, bearded, no disem-
bodied spirit, but a living, breathing
specimen Of magnificent humanity
stood before me, holding me with his
earnest eyes.
I pass over the next few minutes.
"But now, Hal, tell me how it hap.
pened," [ said, when our first emotions
had expended themselves, and | had
him safe in my easy chair.
He sat looking into the fire for a
full minute before he answered. His
mouth grew stern and hard.
sDo VOW remember that last talk we
had? he asked.
"You must keep that in mind if you
would understand what [ have to tell
you. The bullets did not find me,
Grey. [ have never had so much as a
scratch. The man next me in the
ranks was blown to pieces, but [ was
taken prisoner, and when, many
months afterwards, escaped and made
my way to the Union lines, I found ]
had been reported killed. | saw my
name in an old Tribune, in the dead
list. [ said nothing, but I thought
the matter over. Our old regiment
was all broken up. The path seemed
plain before me. Hal Brainard was
dead, and we'll out Of the way. Let
him rest. He had neither kith nor
kin to mourn for him. The new SOL
dier who had arisen from his ashes
would fight as we'll under another
name, and Thyrza would be free, after
a few salt tears and d period Of decent
waiting, to marry man who would
be more to her than he could ever have
BEEN"
"But," 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. II thought they
would have waited at least one little
year. [ deserved as much considera-
ton as that from Thyrza Harrington
surely [ did"
[ was silent for a minute from sheer
bewilderment. Then [ broke out:
"Married! Why, Hal"
"You see | know all about it, he
said, interrupting me; "else I should
not be here. | saw the names on the
register at Wizards, Grey-EFayette
Blackmann and wife'-and by the date
of the entry it was not three months
after my supposed death. It stunned
me, Harrison, and it hardened me-
Now | have run up here to take just
one look at you, and then [ 60 back to
my work again. You will keep my
secret, I know, and let her think me
dead. It is better 500
My thoughts had worked themselves
clear, at last.
"Excuse me-" I said, II will be back
shortly
I darted up the street and was at
Thyrza's door in less than minute.
She was looking over package of
old letters, with faint, trembling col
or in her cheek. ..
'Come with me-" 1 cried "we want
you over at our house. Never mind
your hair! that's all right" ..
But while she was putting on he1
hood, looked at her. A slight, grace
full figure robed in black; soft, wavy
brown hair, that had escaped from its
confinement and floated over her shoul-
ders; gray eyes, with world of pathos
in them; a sweet tremulous mouth, and
forehead sealed with Heavens own
look of patience. That was what
saw.
And it was what Hal Brainard saw
when, two minutes afterwards, he turn
ed as l opened the door.
| stole softly away and left them.
There is not doubt that my old
comrade was dreadfully to blame, some,
how. But Thyrza forgave him-and
so do [.
~ Over-warm friendships, like hot
Goals, are quickly dropped.