The Portland daily press., 1881-09-19

il with an invalids selfshness. 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 fitting about over the
strings. He hoped she would sing long,
long time he wondered why the music
sounded SO low, so far away; he-slept.
II Far away a clock struck three. The
house was dark and silent. The curtains
were drawn closely across the window,
through which showed vaguely the light of
the declining moon. A delicious sense OF
security and comfort lowered about him.
The echo of the music seemed to linger, and
the room was full of the presence of the
singer.
As he had fallen asleep, she and her song
had drifted away from him, with moonlight
and the sweetness of the roses upon his pill
low but now with the coming day she was
real TO him once more. How beautiful she
was, how strong the wish was to see her
again! He would not have long to wait, for
already the darkness which precedes dawn
had come. Again the clock Struck, and
soon warm shafts of light SHOT Up f.om the
horizon, and all nature awoke.
Presently negro came silently into the
room to see if he could do anything for him.
But he wanted nothing bat to think of the
bewitching girl until the time when SIZE
would come How would size meet him,
now that he was no longer helpless inva
lid? Would she fit in and ont as she had
done yesterday, perhaps reproach him for
falling asleep while she was Sit ging? He
planned out the day, and thought of what
he would say, and of her replies. As he be
gan to grow impatient at the slowness of
time, he became CONSCIOUS that the stiffness
of morning was beng broken by tie sound
of horses and wheels coming swiftly toward
the house, and hating before the door.
There were hurried inquiries and responses,
and footsteps crossed the veranda, and tie
negro led the way into the room, followed
by two soldiers.
Hello. Eek, I'm glad to see you so much
better, old man." and his hand was Gauge
'sIts lrcky you're wei enough 10 be moved,
for our lines are having TO fall back, and we
are hurrying to get you sic. fellows into
safe quarters. We've orders to have you
all in the hospital at before night. We
haven't nsoment to lose, either. The am
bulance is at the door, and we'll have you
into it in twinkling."
He was aghast II can't be moved: it
wonld kill me-" he began, almost believing
himself. "rll take my chances There
| would not be much left of me if | were TO
| have relapse sow."
'sThere would be more than if you were
| sent to convalesce in Andersonvlle. Wen
| look out for you. Poor old fellow, this fe-
yer has taken the courage out OF you"
Rex groared. "Are there no other fellows
you could pick up first? An hour or so
might make great difference with me-"
Eyes, Pm pretty sure an horro- so would
make a mighty difference returned his
comrade laughing. "Where are his clothesp
! he asked of the negro. s'We must get him
| into the an bulance at Oh ceJ'
! The closhe1 wee produced, and the I'M
willing mn he'ped ter eerly into them by
the cold e-s.
ssDo you Think he asked of the negro
when all was ready, 'that could see your
| mistress moment? | would like to thank
her, he added, turning to his friends. "She
| and her daughter have been very kind to
me. and / can't go without seeing them"
| s'We'll not dare to wait long; but OF
| course it will be only civil to thank the la
| dies
The negro was not gone long, when he
| returned, almost Immediately followed by
| his mistress, who seemed greatly excited
over the reason for his hurried departure.
| Offering her hand she wished him friendly
| good-by.
81 could almost have wished that our ar
my had held back for a few days longer, I'M
hope you will not suffer from the change. If
| your friends will leave you, Ipromise to use
my influence in your behalf.
He 'ooked appealingly at his comrades;
| but one answered: at would not do to
expose you to the trouble of having Union
soldier in your house, and Pm afraid, mad
am, you could hardly save him from arrest.
We all appreciate yodr offer though"
81 do more than can tell you, my kind,
-. 1 r. De- han linz md
respectfully kissing her hand. "Will you
please give my thanks to your daughter and
say good by for me? I'll never forget either
of you so long as live
my daughterp' she exclaimed "Why,
she must come to see you OFT. 20 quickly,
Jerry, and tell Miss Florence not to lose
moment "Ah! this is one of the SAD lad
would protect you! bus we might not BE- able
to, and could never forgive myself if evil
5efell you in my house."
The soldiers grew visibly impatient, and
at last reluctantly said, :" We will not dare
take any NOR time, Rex"
"Then good-by-foieve-, suppose"
Good-by," the lady answered, her eyes
filling with tears as size watched him go fee
bly across the room between his friends.
AS he reached tie door, light feet came run
ming along the veranda, and Miss Florence
appeared.
1T is cruel for them to take you awayp
SIZE began vehementiy. ct will kill you.
Mamma, why do you allow it? Why do you
take that poor, sick MANI" turning indlg
nantly upon the soldiers. sour friends
would not touch him. They are too brave
to attack the helpless"
The soldiers smiled and said, "We have
our orders, miss"
''Orders indeed! 1t is disgrace to your
officers to issue such orders. Mamma, why
don't you interfere?'
"Floie ce dear, GU are forgetting your
self. We can only wish him farewell, and
pray that he may reach home safely some
day. We will not forget you my poor fell
low" she said taking his hand once more.
The young girl came toward him with
both hands ontstretched and with tears dim
ming her bright eyes. II suppose we'll
never see you again, but as mamma says we
will pray that you reach your friends safe
and well; and hope you will not forget US,
for we will remember you. Good-by."
Rex lifted her hand, as he had her moth
er's, and kissed it; then went with trem-
bling limbs toward the ambulance. He was
lifted in, and as they drove away he raised
the curtain and looked out. She was stand
ing with one hand against pillar of the We
randa, looking sadly after him. He wa CHI
ed her until he was whirled swiftly down
the avenue and out of the gate; then shrub
berry and walls came between them, and hid
her from him. He never saw her after that.
He often wondered whether, if he had
known her better, she would have reign
ed supreme in his heart over all other wom-
en-, or whether in a long companionship the
charm would have vanished. Now and
then he would meet bright, loyable girl
who seemed not averse to win her way into
his heart, and he would be half ready to ad-
- L I.,f hon., 1r live Aft hat