Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-01-30
THE GYPSY'S WARD.
BY W. H. W.
[ooNoLupgp PROM LAST wrrx !

lcoNcLUDED FROM LAST WEEK
Myron was much interested with
her story, and theorized over the pos.
sibility ofturning it to good account.
de then visited the wounded men. de-
tailed their attendant for the night.
ate his evening meal, and retired to
his room on the second floor. Before
pleasant fire he sat down and noted
in bis journal minute memorandum
OF Aunt Ruth's story. He longed to
communicate it to his mother; but
the army was at that time where it
could neither send norreceive letters
Not the labors of the day, nor the
weary marches he had made the last
week could bring to him the welcome.
and much-needed sleep. The thought
that possibly he had discovered link
in the chain of evidence that might
be Of the utmost Importance to those
far away, haunted his wakeful mind.
Early the next morning the whole
army was in motion, the wounded
men had already been put in the am.
bulance and started on the road. AL
though it was Sunday, the imperative
forward had been given, and the sol.
der has no choice but to obey.
Myron had been anxiously looking
about for Aunt Ruth, but could not
find her. A contraband informed
him that she and Moses had gone to
attend church service some miles
away from the line of march. This
was great disappointment to him,
but there was no help for it. Going
back to the house, he made hasty
inspection of the room in which he
had slept Opening bureau drawer
he found some letters, in one of which
was photograph. Hastily placing
them in his pocket, for future inspec-
ton, he mounted his horse and gal
loped off to join his staff When Sher-
man had opened his communications
with the fleet at Savannah, Myron
wrote to his mother about the march
across the country, and detailed to
her the substance of Aunt Ruth's
story, requesting secresy on the mat
ter until further investigation.
From Savannah the army marched
northward After the fall of Rich.
mond Gen. Joe Johnston surrendered
his army to Gen. Sherman. This was
the end of the confederacy, and moth.
ing remained for our gallant army but
a holiday march to Washington, where,
in the following May, they were mus.
tered out of service and sent home.
There was great rejoicing in the
town OF Thornton, on the return of
the surgeons, and others from that
place. Myron had grown much
stouter in his absence, and with bis
fine figure, military address, and man
ly appearance, he looked a gentleman
by nature. He found his mother at
home, and their meeting was such as
might be expected on the return of an
only son from the war. She informed
him that Genirva was in charge of
the village school, and would soon be
home.
On her return home that day, she
met the old Quakeress whom she re-
membered TO have talked with the
previous year. With bowed form
and trembling limbs, she came towards
Genirva and said, Good evening,
dearie, good evening l hope you are
well and happy! with thanks for such
good wishes, Genirva expressed the
same to her. 20 yes, dearie, l am al
ways happy when l behold youth and
beauty like yours; accept this from
me- presenting a beautiful boquet, sit
is more fitting your years than NINE.
AS Genirva reached out to receive
the token, the old Quakeress with
both hands clasped Genirva's, and
kissed it fervently, while her long
white hair fell over the flowers, like
an untimely frost on bed of roses.
Then with, God bless you, dearie,
God bless you! she tottered on.
Genirva walked few PAGES, think
ing of the good old soul, then stopped,
and turned around to look after her
old friend. The feeble old Quaker.
ess. as erect as a drum major, was
looking intently at Genirva. When
their eyes met, farewell nod passed
between them, and each took their
several ways.
When Genirva entered the house,
Myron remembering her as she was,
rose with the intention of saluting her
with kiss. Before him stood, not
the school girl he had left behind, but
full grown woman of magnificent
form, and faultless features, rejoicing
in the witching age of seventeen.
Genirva, all unconscious of the con.
tending emotions in his breast, threw
her arms around his neck, and kissed
him with all the thoughtless freedom
of former days.
After supper, when seated around
the table, Myron related many inter.
esting incidents of the war, and there
were no happier hearts that night in
| the town than those of the trio in Mrs.
Mawbry's house.
Next morning after Genirva had
left to resume her duties at the school,
| Myron and his mother sat down to
compare notes. For the first time he
learned Of the existence of the beads
that had been so long in bis mothers
possession. He took from his valise
the letter he found in the plantation
house. They related to the kidnap.
ping of and search for the lost heir
The one in which the photograph was
found stated that the features of the
child so much resembled those of the
mother, it might aid the detectives
! in identifying the lost one. Mrs
Mawbry then showed him the beads
and attachment; and what was theil
establishment in comparing them, they
found tina. the face in the locket wal
an exact copy of the photograph My
ron had brought with him. They
were both satisfied in their minds tina
the parentsge of Genirva was vel
established, and that the fasr face il
the locket, now so strangely dupli
Gated, was her mother'sl
A further proof OF this conjecture
was the strong resemblance they Dor,
to Genirva's own face, as Aunt Ratl
had expressed it-sShe looks jes lik'
her mudder.' After further consulta