The Republican journal., 1881-09-08

but one answered: 'It would not do to
expose you to the trouble OF having a
Union soldier in your house, and Pm
him from arrest. We all appreciate your
offer, though
81 do more than | can tell you, my
kind, kind friend" Rex answered, bend
ing and respectfully kissing her hand.
'Wlll you please give my thanks to your
daughter and say good by for me? III
never forgot either OF you so long as |
| live"
"My daughter she exclaimed. "Whv,
she must come to see YOU Off Go quick
ly, Jerry, and tell Miss Florence not to
lose a moment. "Ah. this is one Of the
sad things of war. TO think how gladly
we would protect you. but we might not
be able to, and could never forgive my
self 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, Rex"
"'Then goodby forever, | suppose"
"Good-by," the lady answered, her
go teebly across the room between his
friends. As he reached the door, light
feet came running along the veranda, and
Miss Florence appeared.
''lt is too cruel for them to take YOU
aWay" " she began yehemently ''It will
kill you. Mamma. why do you allow it ?
Why do YOU take that poor, sick man ~
turning Indignantly upon the soldiers.
"Our friends would not touch him. They
are TOO brave to attack the helpless"
The soldiers smiled and said, 1--WE have
our orders, miss"
"Orders indeed 1t is disgrace to
your officers to issue such orders. Nam
ma, why don't you interfere ?"
FLORENCE dear, you are forgetting
yourself. We can only wish him fare
well, and pray that he may reach home
safely some day. We will not forget YOU
my poor fellow" she said taking his hand
once more.
The young girl came toward him with
both hands outstretched and with tears
dimming 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 viii
not forget us, for we will remember YOU.
Good 10y.
Rex lifted her hand, as he had her
mothers and kissed it; then went with
trembling limbs toward the ambulance.
He was lifted in. and as they drove away
he raised the curtain and looked out. She
was standing with one hand against a
pillar of the veranda, looking sadly after
him. He watched her until he was
whiried swiftly down the avenue and out
of the gate: then shrubbcry 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 reigned
supreme in his heart over all other women,
or whether in a longer companionship the
charm would have vanished. Now and
then he would meet Il bright, Iovable girl
who seemed not aVersG to win her way
into his heart, and he would be half ready
to admit her But at the boundary line
of that Womans kingdom u dream maid
en- stood and waved back the intruder,
and when he felt inclined to quarrel with
her arrogant dominion, the dark eyes
which met his accusations with conscious
power smilingly lured him back to the
past, and the shadoWv hand which put
away a rival was lifted tenderly to his
| lips to receive once more that farewell
kiss, now grown into pledge Of con-
stancy. lIarper's Monthly for Septcm-
| ber