South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-06-28

exaCtihg but loving ruler and the years
grew, Bringing with them the knowl-
edge Of love and JOY. Of pain and sor-
row.
Dorpt Knew that he vas not the son OF
the people he called father q mother. &
in his soul he held 1 deeper love for His
sister thai brothers ge6erally bestow.
For him. she was the worlds great light
tho star round which the glory Of his
future massed its most brilliant accom.
plishmeuts.
She Was bright and witty. and -
lovely as sunny May morning, but
Dorpt was plain. The ono great trait
that sll0ae in his clear blue eyes was de-
t6tion: Such light has flashed out from
the flames that enveloped martyrs; It
has lit the face Or those consecrated to
death because or the faith that was in
them. For such souls, love has no end.
There was q touch OF chivalry in
Dorpts nature. . courage strong to bear
and daring whose only end was sue.
cess. glorious and perfect, or else utter
defeat.
Having no bar to his wooing lie de-
termined to place one in his path.
Farmer Borlan had sent him away to
school, and from his associates, he chose
the one most likely to win girls love.
Ralph Horton was handsome, brilliant,
dashing and he came among the plain
people OF the farm house q revelation Of
an outer world they HAD newer seen.
Mary has never met d man Who knew
more than ], thought Dorpt, and there
fore cannot tell how her heart would
decide. Ralph is just the fellow to set
tie the matter.
Without being aware Of the great rea-
son Of Dorpts bringing him to Melton,
Ralph filed the l.osition he was expect:
CT TO occupy and in a way that startled
and alarmed his schoolmate. He became
a most devoted stiitor, and mOnopolized
all Of Mary's time and attention.
The summer vacation passed and In
tile fall came mutterihgs Of the storm
that was to sweep over the lani. That
Christmas Ralph Horton went back to
the old farm house to meet q welcome
that caused DOrpt bitter pang. but he
hid it and helped in his quiet, faithful
way. bringing smiles wherever he went.
Ralph and he returned TO school to:
gether. 1t was their last term, and
they were both TO enter tile same col
lege. Both were stout YOUNG men,
with broad shodldefs Aid muscles that
stood out firm and full, and when the
cannonade Mt Sumter echoed over the
land both laid aside their school books
and shouldered their muskets.
They were soon promoted, for they
we're apt in the ways Of war, as most
young men are.
1t was not long ere Dorpt knew that
he was second in Mary's heart. but he
made no murmur. Steadily he rose un
ill he commanded the regiment he had
! enlisted in, and then came an hour
|, when he could have let death take his
rival from his path.
Horton had also been promoted, and
commanded q battalion OF rifemen
In one OF the desperate struggles tina,
| marked Sherman's march to Atlanta, his
! battalion and Dorprs regiment were
under a heavy fire together, and by q
fierce charge of the enemy, Horizons
rifemen were cut Off from the main
body, while DorpCs line OF retreat was
clear. The hazarlousness Of the DO
sition would have justified the retreat
, and in the bitterness of the struggle
his rival might be slain. and love s
: sweet glory light his path again, but ere
the thought had time to take form in
his mind he dashed to the head of his
men, and sword in hand, shouted
: Charge 7 leading the way to where the
fight ragged hottest.
1t was desperate struggle, hut Dorpt
succeeded in rescuing Horton and lis
men. receiving a wound that rendeteG
him unserviceable Cor the remainder
OF the war, and gave him his commits
sion Of colonel.
When the war closed and the army
was abandoned, Horton came TO the old
farm house again. and Dorpt saw him
ill the place his soul was longing for.
o. that could die for her, he said {;
and yet brought him here that she
might know her hearts desire.
Then he smiled brightly back TO
them as they passed him, strolling
down toward the wood that lay along
the creek flowing just beyond the mead.
ows.
The day was warm aud sultry, one
OF many such. that had scorched the
corn and grass and heated the earth TO
greater depth than 1t had done for
many previous years.
Dorpt watched Ralph and Mary un-
I'll they reached the wood, then enter.
ed the house and threw himself on n
lounge.
lie soon slept, and had lain thus for
an hour. when Mrs. Borlan came rush.
ing into The room, crying, Dorpt Dorpt |!
where's Mary7
| saw her going toward the wood with
Horton, he said. rubbing his eyes, and
then seeing her excited condition,
sprang TO his feet, saying, what is tue
matter, motherH
The meadows and woods are all on
FIRE, she sobbed, wringing her hands. O,
mafy Mary
WILL, -. -