St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-10-03

! Presently he is standing before me at
''attention." and | am looking up into
his face for a solution of the mystery.
Again. even more strongly, are latent
memories strangely stirred: hut rs be
fore, know not why. Such Il gaunt
face it was !; such pale, haggard face :;
yet withal, such handsome face.
Misery had set her mark thereon in
deep wrinkles. but she could not de
stroy its beauty; could only add to the
interest it instinctively excited. His
features were most regularly Symmetri-
cal. and most dclicately chisellcd. 4
long, fair mustache dropped over a
mouth as tiny and arched us woman's.
and whiSkeIs and beard of the same
color bounded the perfect oval of his
| face. But of all his features, his eyes
were the the most striking. as they
were the most attractive-of ii deep
| blue color, they seemed to contain Il
whole life's history. So sad, so hope
less, so weary, they seemed now vet
the reflection of Il mans love and
strength. Of woman's gentleness and
purity, seemed OF their own accord to
linger there, too. And above them
saw that in his face which," as Butler
suffered great sorrow" For his eye-
broWs were perfectly Thite,
| speak to him mechanically few
words of welcome, attcntively scanning
his features the while, in an attempt to
solve the mystery, which feel sure cN-
lists. of a past acquaintance. For a
soon as he caught sight of me. noticed
an expression pass across his face i'm
| plying Il similar recognition. hut which
was succeeded hy one as evidently i'm
| plying a determination to ignore its
existence. My little speech is at an
end. and | have failed to solve the
mystery.
"Private Brown" began, Captain
Butler writes word that YOU are more
of Il scholar than most of our men are
lucky enough to he. Now. as officer in
in the charge of the officers and regi-
mental library, | have to nominate a
librarian. Will You undertake the
duty ?"
At the first sound of my voice had
noticed that strange expression repas>
across his face. but surely | was as cu-
riouSly excited, knew not why. as he
briefly replied:
"Ceitainly. sir, if you wish it
lelihS MN W"uid speak 1" ii'
c"I"hti ABOUT IL at once l leave tnc
room. Slad enough 10 ne alone again
liiat may Try ana ailalNze the So"i'"
"i such strange emotion. But curious
~ c"hhdeht as am "i haNihS seen ana
known that face ana FORM before: am
So utterly unable I" ihd the Shghte>l
clue /" the mHSterN. that 10y the time |
arrive at the orderly room. | nave per
suaded myself that 1t must ne mere
: phantaSy, or the resemblance t" some
face seen only Ill the unhealthy OF Il
dream.
The colonel confirms my nomination
and Private Brown Is duly appointed
librarian. BY virtue of his appoint
ment he is relieved of all hut merely
nominal military duties. Three morn
img> III each week he spends two hours
III my Slttlng-r""m. where the books OF
the officers library are kept t" issue
and receive books lent and returned
often see hIm ON these occasions
once or twice cndeaN"r 10 penetrate
) the mystery that Ia" l"l me :" S'iail!'
IL fascination. But my efforts are all III
vain. Respectfully hut ilmi he meets
any attempt at an ci''ila'l"h ol MS
given up all hopes "l ever learning Ms
pas history Whch one ''?' on signing
the company morning slate, SAW III
the list OF those III hospital the name "'
George Brown. took an early "pp"l-
tunltN "t questioning our surgeon an"u'
: him. and learned with Il strange S"r-
: row that 1t was lhpi"nahle. almost I'M
} possible that ne com" liNe man! uilI :
cannon zen You NIliI i the nl",'t'
Win nm very "cll!i'eil, ne Lep'le" II
answer 10 my inquiry ""' ''!ti' l.
} curious nervous c\hal>''"h' WIN cru
lea! iee"ltheSN "I 'ht hel'' ".''"n
l Ni'i'h makes u'a!h "i'''"S' ILrN m Nlt''.i'
! Wl'Iln me mex, ''" "aHSi rhH >i'i,'l
though | ann honestly ten I"" ll'Il .,
believe his cure |" nc "''N "ila amy NhI'
OF mlhc. ana MS ailhleh' one S'''''iH
recognize" ny 'he''I''' Scith'''
, often saw the poor p!'i'h'' an"
needed II" professional "piill"l 10 60"
: vince me OF his approaching death.
1t WAS past ten o'clock one m@i't
when. upon my return nome l"''il" i;
hospital orderly awaiting my arrival
: lie had III his liahd il h"'r l"r me-
was from our surgeon l" 'ht 'I'', I'll"
poor Brown was d!lhS' ana l''u eH
. pressed wish {" see me al once IL
less than ten minutes am ri"ih@ Il
I fast as my horse can carry me 10 'l'
p rcgimrntal hospital. meet the G""'
doctor at the door:
Il am glad You have come s" Promp'
p ly, Daryl" he said; the poor felloV
has but an hour or So of life left, and
| feel sure his death will he the easier +"
p having umburdened his mind to you.
al. .