Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-11-23

Mr. Deland, who was to have the looking
after of James business affairs. On the
second day james told Annie to get her
hat and walk with him. In little while
they were seated beneath the shade of an
old familiar tree-a favorite spot Of their
childhood Neither spoke for some time;
but at last james broke the silence by
exclaiming:
Annie, you are almost as beautiful as
Marion Harcourt"
Am I'' said Annie a can hardly
believe it, for you have written so much
in praie Of her that | should be greatly
disappointed to think she looked no better
than myself. But you have not spoken of
her since you came home. Tell me some-
thing more. for no doubt you are well
acquainted with ter by this time"
i am going to tell you more,' said
James, " for that was why asked you to
come here with me. The fact is. Annie, l
Am engaged to her, but cannot, for the
life of me. tell how it happened"
You, james, engaged to Miss Har-
COURT" cried Annie, and the rosy color
fled from her cheeks, leaving her white AS
snow.
Yes, am; and more than that, have
her fathers consent to marry her at anv
time that shall choose; but now that
have enlisted shall put the marriage of
until return. That is the best way, ism t
it, pet?"
Annie answered not. but sat looking
into The clear waters of fountain that
was falling like silvery spray from a
,culptured cup into the marble btsin be.
meath. At length she turned her white
face upon him and said:
james, are you sure that You love her
as you ought to love the woman you will
marryp"
"Why, Annie, what queer question to
Ask fellow. Of course love her, or At
least thought did when"
Come, J smes, let us return to the
house. Am cold" sad Annie abruptly
not waiting for him to finish the senteDce.
why, 80 YOU are" returned he. How
old your hanls are, and you tremble. too
was careless to keep you here so long
and he drew her shawl more closely
around her.
They returned to the house. and Annie
went away to her room. Once there she
locked the door, threw herself on the bed
md gave h, rsef up to tears. She wepl
or while. hut when she became calmar
she reasoned with herself and ended
herself that she had remembered the
words and promises Of a boy. and given
her whole love to him.
al will never let him or any one else
know | was so foolish. | can bear it.
know, if try" she said to herself, and
bathing her face and making few trifiing
changes in her dress, she went down into
the parlor, and but for Il slight paleness
no one puld have noticed anv change in
her appearance.
The next day James went to Join his
regiment, which was On the point of leav-
ing for Washington He enlisted as a
private, but was promoted to Sergeancy
before his regiment ha seen any action.
Afterwards. as reward for his bravery in
battle. he had lieutentnt's mission
bestowed upon him. He passed through
many II biooly tight unharmei, and the
sol1iers had almost began to think that
Lieutenant Wilson bore charmed life.
At last the battle Of Gettysburg wa:
fought in the simmer of 1868. Among
the wounded that were carried to the diff
ferent hospitals was Lieutenant James
Wilson. In the paper was list of tho
wounded, and after his name the word
dangerously
When Annie read the announcement al
her strength gave way and she tainted
When she had recovered she was told tina
there was a Geographic message for hel
that came few minutes before. New
energy seemed given to her AS she sprang
to her feet and seized the paper. CHANGING
over 1t her eyes met the following words
al am wounded and the surgeon say
Iican live only few day5. | want to Sc,
you, Annie. Will you come to James9'
That was ALL Would she gop o
course she would. The next train wouIC
start in two hours, and she would go ol
that.
In an hour Mr.. Deland and Annie wer
seated in the carriage that was to conve
them to the depot. They reached th
hospital the following day, just as the su
was sinking beneath the horizon. Th
surgeon on learning who they were sal
that Lieutenant Wilson could not live ii
morning, and that he had called for Al
nie Alnle," nearly all day. He directe
her where to go, while he fingered benin
, and talked with Mr.. Deland.
Annie hastened to the cot and motioue
|, | w hul SO " lChFC hpl alOuO Will
dying man. He WAS asleep, but it was
troubed slumber. for ever and anon /
would murmur, She will not come.
Annie could bear it no longer, and pu
ting her pale lips close to his ear ST
, whispered, James, james, have come
: Starting from his slumber he cre
: "Oh, Aunie, Darling, is 1t you? Thar
= God. my prayer is answered. Now | ca
lie in pc ace
, You must not die, james l hay
come to nurse you, and I trust that yc
= will soon get we'll"
! II shall never get we'll again, Ami
4 but could not die happy till had see
you and told you that it is you | hi
loved a. the time do not know how
3 vas that WIS engaged to Marion Ha
e court. was dazzled by her beauty, M
0 thought loved her; but when you ask,
v me that morning if ] loved her as | shou