The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-12-02
For the Somerset HERALD.
cn7IsrMAs TALE.
BIT n OF FOUR.


ter part of December Of the year 1868,
two lovers might have been observed
BIZ any one who had the curiosity to
peep into the window Of Squire Nor
TONS residence. on the principal
street ofthe village Of Barton.
They sat by the fire chatting eaiiy-
The young man, We will call him
Malcolm Carlyle, for tie reason that
that is not bis name, was relating bis
experience with, and the trials and
prirations suffered by The Army OF ~
Potomac.
A tall. handsome fellow. with black
hair and eyes, straight as an arrow,
and q face which wore the daredevil
look of one who was frequently
brought face TO face With danger,
was Malcolm Carlyle.
Wounded and home on a furlough,
nothing was more natural than that
be should spend his evenings with his
old friend and school-mate Marion
Morton.
Marion was a small, delicate girl,
the deep blue Of whose eyes and the
luxuriance Of whose chestnut ringlets
were the envy Of the village maidens-
Her face had a look Of purity and
patient resignation that would have
made her a ft model from which an
artist might paint a Madonna or an
Evangeline.
Malcolm was to rejoin his regi-
ment on the following day. As he rose
TO 60 be said:
Before / say goodbye, Marion,
l want to ask you for something, or
rather three things in one. A curl
from this abundance " and be laid bis
hand caressingly IN the fair head,
ian occasional letter and-a kiss"
The girl made no answer but kept
her eyes steadily On the carpet, as
though its bright figures possessed a
IN ore than ordinary interest.
"Then l will take sile nee for con-
sent, sweetheart" be said, drawing
her to him and raising her face for
the expected kiss. The deadly palor
or the girls face surprised him.
"Ctn it be that you love me
Marion ?" Taking her in bis arms he
Sc ated her beside him on the sofa.
q didn't think you could love a poor
devil Ii Ike me-
Then was told the old, old story
that is ever new, followed by all
the most approved of modern love
vows.
The night had grown into the "wee
sma' hours ayant the twal," when
Malcolm took his departure, linger-
ing on the doorstep for q last kiss
and to make a parting vow.
Malcolm returned to his regiment,
and Marion returned to her house
hold cares with a merry heart and a
happy light in her deep blue ewes
eagerly she scanned the papers for
the latest news from the field Ct bat
tie, the long lists Of dead and wound
ed had a new interest to her.
At last came the news Of the battle
Of the Wilderness, and one of the first
names on the list Of killed was that
Of Malcolm Carlyle. He had been
shot while driving in the enemy's
pickets the paper said.
Following on this came the news
Of Lees surrender at Appomattox.
The war was over, and the bows IN
blue came marching home, glad to
lie relieved from wars turmoils and
pfivations, and 10 be allowed to re-
sumo the duties of peaceful citizen
ship.
There was great rejoicing in Bar
ton the day that what was left of her
gallant little band, that bad marched
forth at Uncle Abe's call, came back
TO their mountain home arches were
thrown across the streets; flags were
flung to the breeze from every house
top a dinner, and a speech, that
prevailing weakness Of the American
nation, had been prepared the streets
were thronged with people dressed
as for a holiday. Marion appeared
with the rest, bvavely attempting to
do what she could to make the home
coming Of the veterans pleasant.
As she stood listening to the wei
come address, a far-away look stole
into her eyes, the forms in front Of
her grew dim and indistinct, she
thought of another who bal gone
forth with this company. she saw
a lowly grave amid the Wilderness of
Virginia, and her heart was filed
with a longing to cover it with vioIets
AMI roses.
what is the matter Marion ?"
asked her mother in a kindly tone.
Are you sick? Your cheeks are as
pale as death, You had better go
home and lie down"
Glad for any excuse that would
free her from the crowd and leave
her alone with her own thoughts.
Marion returned to her own room
and gave Tent to her feelings in
tears.
In the years which have come and
gone since then Marion had many
s%uitors, none of whom met with any
encouragement. She went on in her
quiet way, doing what she could TO
tighten the labors of her mother and
TO relieve the necessities of the poor
of the village. She has grown roun-
der and more womanly since we have
seen her, but the same look 0 fpatient
resignation still fingers on her face.
In the latter part Of the year 1865
Mr.. Morton went south to attend to
some business, and thinking that it
might do Marion good, took her with
him.
Christmas v Marion, Captain
Warren and Mr.. Morton sat in the
parlor Of the "Crescent HOTEL in the
city Of Atlanta.
The party bad been talking Of
Christmas with its attendant inrs and