Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-13


subject to be ignored between them, and
as total strangers, they had few topics in
common without intruding into each others
lives SO after while conversation Jagged.
The sick man, feeling the restlessness Of
returning health, nervously fingered the
spray of roses which had been. laid upon
his pillow, then dropped his arm beside
him and sighed. $50 7 es7f3
We have<talked too much and tired
you" his hostess said, regretfully. I'VE
will go now, and you had better sleep or
would it give you pleasure if my daughter
would sing for you % .@-F-g 80
sob, Iwould like to hear her sing" he
answered, eagerly. - ava -
Bring your guitar, Florence dear, and
sing" "
The daughter willingly obeyed, and a
moment later looked in through the win
dow to- say, "You know cannot sing,
mamma, if you both look at me, SO will
sit here, and you can hear me just as
we'll" .k'Syt-k
After running her skillful fingers over
the strings, calling forth soft melody,
she began song full of rhythm and sweet
ness. Her voice was as fresh as the night
air, and she sang with an unfeigned pleas
ure. Rex lay with his eyes closed, listen
ing to the music, and resting in body and
soul. For him mad come one of those
nor 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 esthetic mood
he listened to it, and accepted it with an
invalid's selfishness. 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
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 and comfort lowered about him.
The echo of the music seemed to finger,
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 the moon
light and the sweetness of the roses upon
his pillow but now with the coming 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 precedes dawn had come. Again
the clock struck, and soon warm shafts of
light shot up from the horizon, and all ma.
ture awoke. ia
Presently negro came silently into
the room to see if he could do anything
for him. But he wanted nothing but to
think of the bewitching girl until the time
when she would come How would she
meet him, now that he was no longer a
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 impatient
at the slowness of time, he became con-
scious that the stiffness of morning was
being broken by the sound of horses and
wheels coming swiftly toward the house,
hating before the door. There were hur.
ried inquiries and responses, and then foot
steps crossed the veranda, and the negro
led the way into the room, followed by two
"Hello, Rex, I'm glad to see you SO
much better, old man." and his hand was
caught in the strong palm of former com.
rade. "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 twinkling. :"
He was aghast. az can't be moved it
would kill me-" he began, almost believing
himself. "I'll take my chances. There
would not be much Of me left if were to
have a relapse now."
"There would be more than if you were
sent to convalesce in 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 make great difference with
me-"
eyes, I'm pretty sure an heur or go
would make mighty difference, returned
his coinrade, laughing. "Where are his
clothes ?" he asked Of the negro. "We
must get him into the ambulance at once. !"
The clothes were produced, and the un-
willing man tenderly helped into them by
the soldiers.
"Do you think" he asked the negro,
when all was ready, that l 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"
"We'Il not dare to wait long, but of
course it will only be civil to thank the
ladies'"
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 hands, she wished him
friendly good.by.
81 could almost have wished that our
army had been held back for a few days
longer, until you were better able to be
moved but l hope you will not suffer
from the change. II your friends will
leave you ! promise to use my influence IN
your behalf.
He looked appealingly at his comrades
but one answered 1T would not do te
expose you to the trouble of having 8
Union soldier in your house, and I'm afraid,
| madam, you could hardly save him from
arrest. We all appreciate your offer,
| though"
81 do, more than can tell you, my
kind, kind FRIEND" Rex answered, bending
and respectfully kissing her hand. evil
you please give my thanks to your daugh
ter, and say good-by for me? I'll never
forget either of you as long as live"
"My daughter % she exclaimed. "Why,
she must come to see you off Go quickly
Jerry, and tell Miss Florence not to lose q
| moment. An this is one of the sac
things of war. To think how gladly We
would protect you but we might not BIZ
able to, and l could never forgive mysel
if evil befell you in my house.
The soldiers grew visibly impatient, and
at last reluctantly said, We will not dare
take any more time, Rix."
Then, good.by-forever, suppose"
Good-by," the lady answered, her eyes
filling with tears as she watched him &C
feebly across the room between his friends
AS he reached the door light feet came
running along the veranda, and Miss Flor
ence appeared.
"It is too cruel for them to take you
away p she began, vehemently. 1T will
kill you. Mamma, why do you allow it
Why do you take that poor sick man ?
turning Indignantly upon the soldiers
05y,- Friends unu1d MT fo,, oh hin, TLox