The Placer herald., 1873-01-04

There was another great batlle, and again
the heart oflhe n,tion was stirred to its cen
ter. Two nights aflerNa Yards, as | sat upon
the piazza with Thyrza liarring on on low
seat beside me, the Tribune was placed in
my hands.
| opened it. There were the three fearful
lists that bad become so terribly familiar
"Kiled, Wounded" "Missug." AS !
ran my eye hurriedly down the long columns,
in ihe very frst read The name of Had
Br inard.
My face must have told the tale, for did
not spc k one word; but Thyrza sprang up
With clasped hands, struggled a moment in a
vain effort at ulterance, and then sank at my
feet in a huddled, piiiiui, white heap.
My arm was still poweress, and | was,
besides, worn with fever. | called to my
mother, ! screamed, | shouted; but there
was not soul within hearing, and could
only put the hair back from her white fore
head, AMI fan her with THAI fatal newspaper
After a few moments, that seemed ages, she
sat up and looked about her with an air of
bewilderment.
"Thc paper size said, at length; 81 want
The paper.
gave it to her silently ly-what was there
to say ?-and she looked at the name for a
moment with fixed fearless gaze. Then
She slowly gathered herself up, and, with the
paper still casped in her hand, walked un-
steadily down to the gate and disappeared.
Months pissed. had been dschar ed
from the service, for it seemed impossible
that should ever be strong enough to return
to the field again. Thyrza, a saddencd, +,
patient woman now, rather than the spark
ling, brilliant girl who had so bewiichcd poor
Hal Brainard-ihis TIyrza and Were much
together. We did not talk of Hal, but his
memory was a bond betwcen us, and knew
at last how well She had loved him. 1t had
all been a mistake, Il misapprehension on
Halls part, growing chiefly out Of his own
modeaty, and the Slight valuation that he
placed upon his own attractions. Fayeite
Blackmam was an old friend, and was
bctrolhed 10 one OF her cousins" "only that,
and nothing more" The Young couple
were married that Autumn, ,and the heautilul
mansion received its destined occupant.
| never told Thyr2a what ssed between
Hal and me that night in Virginia. II She
had ever noticed amy change in the tone Of
hia letters, she had evidently attributed 1t to
the haste in which they were often written
ON the march, or on Latle- fields. Why
should disturb her?
| was alone in the cottage one night. My
mother had gone to watch with sick neia IL
bor and ! sat by the blazing fire, lost in Il
waking dream. 1t was carly-ior | had
just heard the whistle OF the evening train
though in these short December days, it had
been dark for hours A step upon the pi-
ava startled me, and | felt, rather than
saw, lhat somebody was loosling through the
blinds. In another moment Ill Brainaid
bronzed, bearded, no disembod,d spirit, but
a living, breathing specimen of magnificent
humanity, stood Lelore me, holding me with
his earnest eyes.
pass over the next few minutes.
"But now, Had, telme how it happened,
| said, when our first emotions had expended
t emsclyes, and had him safe in my easy
chair.
lie sat looking into The fire for full min
ute before he answered. His moath grew
stern and hard.
"Do you remember the last talk we had?'
he asked "Nou must keep that in mind il
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 to 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, found had been
reported killed | saw my name in the
Tibune, in the dead list. Our old regiment
was all broken up The path seemed plain
before me. Hal Brainard was dead, and
well out of ihe way. Let him rest He
had neither lli hsnor kin to mourn for him.
The new soldier who had arisen from bis
ashes would fight as wei underarother name,
and Thyrzl would be free, after a few salt
tears and period Of decent waiting, to mar
ry man who wonld be more 10 ber than
he could ever have been"
"But," h went on, after a moments
pause, during which his face was convuls,d
with strong emotion; "but Grey, my dear
old friend, did not think they would have
married so soon," and his voice flieicd.
81 thought they would have waited at least
one little year. deserved as much consid-
Grafton as that from Thyrza Iiamin9t ton
sure | did.
was silent for a minute from sheer be-
wilderment. Then | broke out;
"Manied Why, Hal"
"You see know all about it, lie said,
in;emupting me; 'else should not lie here.
| saw the names ON the register at Wizards
Grey 'FayeItc Blackburn and wife'-and
by the date cf the entry it was not ihree
months after my supposed death. 1t stun
ned me, Harrison, and it hardened me. Now
have run up here TO take just one look at
you, and tllen | go 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 themselves clear
at last
"Excuse me" | said, II will be back
shotily."