Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-10-18


head upon one side, and then said. rather
reprovingly, % Your talk has made you
feverish. Now you must 60 to sleep"
"Very well only don't go away"
81 may have to perhaps mamma will
call me. However, you shall not be
neglected. Mamma will be glad to
know that you have come to yourself
again"
"And are you glad:" he asked idly.
"Oh, you think, because | am a rebel,
would have been glad to have you die.
Now | think that is very unkind Of you;
and the dark eyes were filled with indig-
nant protest.
"No, | couldn't think that. How
did come to be thrown upon your kind
ness ~
"You were brought here and left, and
although mamma and hated the sight
of your uniform, you looked so sick that
we were willing to take care Of you"
"How good you were" And he lay
silently staring at Der long time with
out speaking She was dainty and sweet
enough TO charm any man, but to Rex,
who had for years looked only upon mems
weather. beaten faces, she seemed an an.
gel Her dress was coarse, for fine fab
rics were hard to get in the heart Of the
Confederacy at that time, but it photo
graphed itself upon his memory. At
length he put out his hand and took a
fold Of the sleeve between his fingers.
1t was a calico of dull dark ground,
over which were sprinkled dots Of bril-
liant red. He felt it thoughtfully, and
said. "Tha, is beautiful dress you have
on"
She glanced over it inquisitively and
then burst into merry laugh. :" don't
think YOU know much about dress if you
call this beautiful" :" and taking fold
between her thumb and finger, she held
it of and regarded it scornfully. Why,
it is simply an old cotton dress; but
well. we are poor now" she added, in
explanation, with defiant toss of her
head.
And not proud"
No; very, very humble" Then, af-
ter pause. she said, " But il you are
well enough to Try to tease me, you are
we'll enough TO eat" and she fitted from
the room. Almost Immediately an elder
" 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 so much better.
To her our hero tried to express in u
more conventional manner than TO the
daughter his thanks, and his apprehension
that he had given them great deal Of
trouble.
1--WE are glad to have been of service
to YOU" the lady answered, gravely.
Il have poor boy Of my own in our
army, and he may be glad TO fud friends
amongs, enemies some day. /, is ter
riblc war and her face grew sad.
He was trying to find suitable reply,
when his first friend returned to the room
attended by CHEEKY looking nesress.
bearing tray upon which were spread
such dainties as could be procured.
You might have had some broiled
chicken" began the young lady, as she
drew light table up to his bedside,
if"
Florence =" said her mother, reprov-
ingly.
The negress chuckled herself out of
the room, murmuring something about
Mars Linkum's sojers liking chickens
mighty well.
The two ladies ministered most grace
fully and kindly to him as he ate; and
when the evening settled down with its
food of moonlight, they came again and
sat beside him. Naturally the war was
subject to be ignored between them.
and as total strangers they had few topics
in common without intruding into each
others lives so after awhile conversation
Jagged. The sick man feeling the rest
lessness of returning health, nervously
fingered the spray of roses which had
been laid upon his pillow, then dropped
his arms beside him, and sighed.
1--WE have talked too much, and tired
you," his hostess said, regretfully. 1--WE
will 90 now, and you had better sleep ;
or would it give you pleasure if my
, daughter 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 obey
ed, and moment later looked in through
the window to say, " You know | cannot
sing, mamma, if you look at me, so
will sit here, and you can hear me just
as we'll"
After running her skillfuL fingers over
, the strings, calling forth soft melody,
she began song full Of rhythm and
sweetness. Her voice was fresh as the
night air and she sang with unfeigned
pleasure. Rex lay with closed eyes. list
ening to the music, and resting in body
and soul. For him had come one ol
those delightful pauses in life in which is
, no care or thought for the morrow. which
so seldom come to man or woman after
once the cares Of life are taken up. He
$ did not even enjoy the music; in an es'
thetic mood he listened to it, and accept
E ed it with an invalid's selfshness. II
: was sweet and he knew how lovely tht
: singer must look, sitting with the moor
$ shining down into her dark eyes. H'