The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-22

greeting, that told that the two were fast
friends.
"Tell me of my friends in the old
battalion" she said, presently.
"How many?" he asked, quizzically;
"more than one?"
IT meant what said," she answered,
with a merry laugh and a quick, bright
blush; 81 have heard from one of them
very recently"
docs Charles know you are here?"
asked the Colonel.
"No; it is not a week since 1 left
Memphis. Will they join you here?"
"They?" he repeated, inquirlngly.
''The rest of the command, 1 mean"
she replied, blushing again.
ga portion of it may, but for that part
that you are particularly interested in,
I cannot say. You know they are with
the old General, and their movements
can't be counted on with any great GER
tainty."
"They are the comets of the service"
said Miss Garnett. "Quite as erratic, at
all events"
"May I have the pleasure of this
dance?" said the Colonel, as the band
struck up a quadrille. II know it is
useless to ask you for waltz"
The dance over, he led her to chair,
and, after moments gay badinage, was
about to resign himself in favor of other
claimants for her smiles, when he saw
sudden CHASTITY pallor overspread her
features.
"Miss Alice, are you ill?" he ex-
claimed, anxiously. Let me get you
some water"
1t was scarcely moment before his
return, but even then he was shocked at
her white, drawn face.
Call my sister," she had said to an
other gentleman with her, while Colonel
Terry had gone for the water, and both
reached her at the same time.
"Lucy take me home" she whispered,
Il am dying
"Oh, no, darling" said her sister,
tenderly, "you will be well in the morn
ing"
As quickly as possible the carriage
was called and the sick girl tenderly
placed in it.
When they were just starting Col.
Terry wished them good night, express
ing his hopes that Miss Alice would have
recovered by morning. She put out her
hand, and, exerting her strength, said
distinctly:
"Yes, 1 shall be we'll in the morning.
Tell Charley" her voice failed, and,
lifting her slim white hand, she loosened
the flowers she wore at her breast and
put them into the Colonel's hand. "Give
these to him-yes-in the morning"
Her voice died away to faint whisper,
and her head fell back on her sieter's
shoulder. The lady who had acted
as their chaperone FASTENED to apply re-
storatives, and the carriage rolled swiftly
away.
The next morning when Colonel Terry
called to inquire after the invalid he had
no need to ask, for from the door there
hoated the mournful insignia of death.
Shocked beyond expression, the hardy
soldier turned away, unable then to even
offer his services if they were needed.
He went again after while and saw Mrs.
Cameron, the hostess of the sisters dur.
ing their visit. From her he learned
the brief details of Alice's death. Her
attack had been a sudden spasm of the
heart, and she had never rallied. She had
not spoken but once; then they caught
her lovers name, and repetition of the
words, Sin the morning"
Poor Charley, who will tell him?'
groaned the Colonel, when the ladys
voice ceased.
"You are his best friend,' she an
swered. 81 think no one else could do it
SO gently"
II can't" he replied, shaking his head.
II would rather face battery. Why,
you don't know, you can't think how his
very life seems bound up in her; and
now"
They buried her next day; six of Pic
tons friends carried his dead love to her
grave, and then came sadly back, each
questioning who would bear the tidings
to the gallant sabreur far away with the
old brigade.
That night the order came to join the
main command, and by daylight the
troops were miles away. As they reached
the vicinity of the appointed rendezvous
desultory firing warned them of an APP
preaching conflict. Presently they
formed themselves in the midst of por
ton of the command, drawn up in
piece of woods overlooking . sloping
field, which on the other side rose to
sharp eminence, on the brow of which
was posted Federal battery.
Farther to the right the firing became
sharper, and soon the roll OF musketry
sWept all along the line.