The Republican journal., 1881-09-08

explanation, with a defiant toss of her
head.
"And not proud"
He looked at her with a laugh in his
eyes, which she answered by merry
shake Of her pretty head.
"No; very, very humble" Then, af-
ter pause, she said, But if you are
well enough to try to tease me, you are
well enough to eat" and she fitted from
the room. Almost Immediately an elder
ly lady entered, whom Rex easily recog-
nized as her mother She came directly
to his bedside, and took his hand, telling
him, in pleasant voice, how glad she
was to learn from her daughter that he
was 50 much better.
10 her our hero tried to express in a
more conventional manner than to the
daughter his thanks, and his apprehen-
sions that he had given them a great
deal of trouble.
"We are glad to have been of service
to YOU the lady answered, gravely.
"l've poor boy Of my own in our army,
and he may be glad to find friends
amongst enemies some day. 1t is a ter
rlble war; and her face grew sad.
He was trying to find suitable reply,
when his first friend returned to the room
attended by a cherry looking negress
bearing 4 tray upon which we're spread
such dainties as could be procured.
"lou might have had some broiled
chicken began the young lady, as she
drew light table up to his bedside, eff"
"Florence." said her mother, reprov-
ingN.
The negress chuckled herself out of the
room, murmuring something about Mars
Lincoms soldiers liking chickens mighty
we'll
The two ladies ministered most grace
fully and kindly to him as he ate; and
when the evening settled down with its
flood Of moonlight, they came again and
sat beside him. Naturally the war Was a
subject to be ignored between them, and
as total strangers they had few topics in
common without intruding into each
others lives; so after a while conversa-
tion Jagged The sick man feeling the
restlessness OF returning health, nervous
ly fingered the spray Of roses which had
been laid upon his pillow, then dropped
his arms beside him, and sighed.
eve have talked too much, and tired
you" his hostess said, regretfully. eve
will 60 now, and you had better sleep !;
or would it give you pleasure if my daugh-
ter would sing for you?'
"Oh, would like to hear her sing" he
answered, eagerly.
Bring your guitar, then, Florence,
dear and sing"
The daughter willingly obeyed, and a
moment later looked in through the win
dow to say, "YOu know can not sing,
mamma, if you both look at me, 50 will
sit here, and you can hear me Just as
we'll"
After raining her skilltul fingers over
the strings, calling forth a soft melody,
She began song full of rhythm and
sweetness. Her voice was as fresh as the
night air and she sang with an unteigned
pleasure, Rex lay with his eyes closed,
listening to the music, and resting in
body and soul. For him had come one
of those delightful pauses in% life in which
is no care nor thought for the morrow,
which 50 seldom come to man or woman
after once the cares of life are taken up
He did not even enjoy the music in an
aesthetic mood lie listened to it, and &C
cepted it with an inyalids seltishness. 1t
was sweet; and he knew how lovely the
singer must look, sitting with the moon
shining down into her dark eyes. He
even pictured her slim, white hands fit
ting about over the strings He hoped
she would sing 4 long, long time he Won
dered why the music sounded SO low, 50
far away; he slept.
Far away clock struck three. The
house was dark and silent. The curtains
were closely drawn across the window,
through which showed vaguely the light
Of the declining moon. A delicious sense
OF security ana comfort hovered about
him. The echo Of the music seemed to
linger, and the room was full OF the pres
ence Of the singer.
As he had fallen asleep, she and her
song had dritted away from him, with
moonlight and the sweetness OF the roses
upon his pillow; but now with the COM
ing day she was real to him once more.
How beautiful she was. and how strong
the wish was to see her again He would
not have long to wait, for already the
darkness which prGcedes dawn had come.
Again the clock struck, and soon warm
shafts OF light shot up from the horizon,
and all nature aWoke.
Presently negro came silently into
the room to see if he could 10 anything
for him. But he wanted nothing but to
think Of the bewtching girl until the time
when she would come. How would she
meet him, now that he was no longer u
helpless invalid? Would she fit in and
out as she had done yesterday, perhaps
reproach him for falling asleep while she
was singing? He planned out the day,
and thought Of what he would say, and
of her replies As he began to grow i'm
patient at the slOWneSs of time, he be
came conscious that the stiffness OF morn
ing was being broken by the sound of
horses and wheels coming swiftly toward
the house, and halting before the door
There were hurried inquiries and re-
spouses, and then footsteps crossed the
veranda, and the negro led the way into
the room, followed by two soldiers.
"Iello, Rex, I'm glad to see you so
much better, old man." and his hand was
caught in the strong palm of a former
comrade. 'It's lucky you're well enough
to be moved, for our lines are having to
fall back, and we are hurrying to get you
sick fellows into safe quarters. We've
orders to have you all in the hospital at
before night. We haven't moment
to lose, either The ambulance is at the
door, and We'll have YOU into it in a
twnkling."
He was aghast. Il can't be moved 1t
would kill me-" he began, almost believ-
ing himself "I'll take my chances.
There would not be much of me left if
were to have relapse now"
''There would be more than if you were
sent to convalesce i'll AndersOnville. Well
look out for you. Poor old fellow, this
fever has taken the courage out Of you"
Rex groaned care there no other fell
lows you could pick up first? An hour or
so might makea great difference with me" )"
"Aes, I'm pretty sure an hour Or so
MNnld make q mimhtN littarnnce y raturn=