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

devils never find out those who would
welcome them, and Hal Brainard is the
safest man in this regiment"
There was a battle the next day. Poor
Jack NO left his sunny, boyish curls be.
hind Us on the bloody field. ! had ball
through my right shoulder; but rs for
Hal, he walked in tho fiery furnace with.
out so much rs the smell Of fire upon his
garments.
II would be weeks-months, perhaps
before could use my arm; and in the
hot. sweltering hospital i longsd, with
an unspeakable longing, for the fresh
breezes blowing cool from eur mountain
peaks; so they sent me homo.
The fatigue of the journey brought on
low, nervous fever. Thyrza came
often to soc me. She was very quiet
and subdued in manner. with deeper
womsnliness about her that seemed TO
have been gained at the expense OF some.
what of the old glow and sparkle; but /
thought her lovslier than ever. with her
soft. grey oyos. and an appealing look
about the mouth that had grown so Won
drously tender.
Sho was not inclined 10 talk much OF
Hal, and | had sort Of uncomfortable
consciousness, growing out OF the rec
objection Of my last conversation with
the poor fellow. that kept me silent also.
Fayette Blackmann. rs I soon learned,
had opened law Office in an adjoining
town, was building fine house, and was
making himself prominent in political
circles Hc was evidently no mere dilet-
tantc. but the rising man OF the county |;
and ! could but acknowledge to myself
that II he chose 10 enter the lists he
would indeed be formidable rival.
Whether he had done so or not. every
week brought him TO Hilltop.
One evening saw them ride by on
horseback-he and Thyrza Perhaps II
was only the exercise and tho excitement,
but there was n glow upon her cheek, a
light and radiance about her. that had
not seen since my return. and Black
mann's eyes dwelt upon her in undis-
guised admiration. Ny heart hardened
against them both.
ut is the old story OF the one eve
lamb" muttered. as the graceful riders
disappeared over The brow of the hill.
"Verily. verify. history repeats itself"
There was another great battle, and
again the heart of The nation was stirred
TO its centre. Two nights afterwards. as
sal upon the piazza, with Thyrza Har-
rington on low seat beside me, the
daily Tribune was placed in my hands.
Iopened it. There were the three
fearful listr that had become so terribly
familiar: KILLED" Wounded" Miss
ing" As ran my eye hurriedly down
the long columns. in the very first read
the name OF Hal Brainard.
Ny face must have told the tale, for |
did not speak one word; but Thyrza
sprang up with clasped hands. struggled
for moment in vain effort Mt utter
ance, and then sank at my feet in a hud.
died, pitiiul, white heap.
Ny arm was still powerless and / was,
besides. worn with fever. called TO my
mother, screamed, shouted; but there
was OF soul within hearing, and |
could only put back the hair from her
white forehead, and Ian her with that
fatal newspaper. After few moments,
that seemed ages. she sat up and looked
about her with an mir Of bewilderment.
1.-The paper" she said at length; al
want the paper"
gave it to her silsntly-what was
there 10 say P-and she looked ut the
name for moment with fixed, fearless
gaze. Then she slowly gathered herself
up. and with tho paper still clasped in
her hand. walked unstsadily down to the
gate and disappeared.
Months passed. had been discharged
fromthe service. for it seemed impossible
that should ever be strong enough 10
return to the field again. Thyrza, a sad
densd, patient woman now, rather than
the sparkling, brilliant girl who had so
bewitchsd poor Hal Brainard-this Thyr-
"a and were much together. We did
not often talk of Hal. but his memory
was bond between US. and | knew at
last how well she had loved hin. 1t had
all been mistake, misapprehension
on Halls part, growing chiefly out Of his
own modesty, and the slight valuation
that he placed upon his own attractions.
Fayette Blackmann was an old friend,
and was betrothed 10 one of her cousins
-"only that, and nothing more" The
young couple were married that autumn,
and the beautiful mansion received its
destined occupant.
l never told Thyrza what passed be-
tween Hal and mo that night in Virginia.
If she had ever noticed any chage in the
tone Of his letters, she had evidently at
tributed it TO the haste in which they were
often written, on the march or on the bat.
tie. fields. Why should disturb herp
l was alone in the cottage one night.
My mother had gone to watch with q
sick neighbor, and l sat by the blazing
fire lost in waking dream. 1t was early
for had just heard the whistle Of the