The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-22

He stopped and felt his saddle girth as
he spoke, then Strengthened himself and
waited for the command, for he was lone
of the boys" The next moment there
was ringing cheer from the ranks as
General Forrest rode up.
Boys" he exclaimed, pointing with
his sword, II want that battery captured.
One regiment has tried, and couldn't
take it. Now I wan. you boys to do bet
ter than that. am going to lead you,
and want you all to follow me-"
Another cheer was his answer as the
men fell into ranks.
"Charge!'' and down the slope rode
the gallant sold regiment" never falter-
ing as the grapeshot swept through the
serried ranks, closing each gap as it was
made by the deadly fire; on, on, follow
ing the lead OF the tall figure at the head
of the column till they rode right over
the death-dealing guns, "sab'ring the
gunners there, and the woods gave back
the ringing echoes OF the famous "rebel
YELL as the victory was won.
Won! Yes, but at fearful cost. That
fatal slope was drenched with the blood
of the Southland's bravest sons.
After the charge Colonel Terry found
himself face to face with Charley Picton.
"My God, how can 1 tell him ?" NUT
tered the Colonel to himself as the gal
liant young fellow rode toward him hold
ing out his hand.
81 takes the old regiment to do up
things in styler' he said, grasping the
Colonel's hand. Say, Terry, did you
see Miss Alice? Coleman has just got
back from Memphis, and he told me she
hol visit fn frinnHc
c."
But as he spoke he suddenly put his
hand to his side. II am shot" he gasped,
family.
1t was true, A stray bullet had struck
him in the side, and Colonel Terry
caught him as he reeled in his saddle,
and rode with him to the field hospital.
When the surgeon examined his
wound he shook his head doubtfully.
Il know q nurse worth twenty doc
tors" whispered Picton, with smile.
"Terry, can't you fetch her to me?"
Through the night the Colonel stayed
with him. Once he wakened and re-
peated the question he had asked just be-
fore he was shot.
II saw her. yes" the Colonel answered,
huskily. 'She sent you some flowers"
The blue eyes lighted up with a tender
glow. and Picton held out his hand.
Silently Colonel Terry took from his
breast-pocket the withered flowers,
spray of ivy, aud half-opened white
rose, and laid them in the outstretched
hand.
Then the wounded man slept. But in
q couple of hours he awoke, much worse,
and the surgeon in his rounds told the
bronzed watcher that the end was very
near.
"Terryr' and the Colonel bent his
head to catch the faint accents. ''Im
dying. l wouldn't mind-only-poor
Alice. Tell her gently, please-she
loves me, you know-and I-oh, Terry!
it is hard to leave her. My poor, poor
darling"
For a moment the Colonel could not
answer. Then, choking back a sob he
said, slowly and distinctly:
Charley, Alice is waiting for you.
You are not leaving her, but going to
meet her."
A bewildered, troubled look came into
the wistful blue eyes.
Don't you understand me, Charley?
She is dead We buried her there in
w. cOuluu tcll NOu UclOIC, uCoi
old boy. But now you will be with her
before you have time to grieve after her.
She died with your name on her lips,
murmuring of meeting you in the morn
ing"
He understood now, and smile of re-
lief fitted across his pale lips. Dear
girl, he murmured. Il am so glad she
will not have this grief to bear"
Then he slept again, and the hours
passed on until the eastern sky brighten.
ed with the solemn dawn light.
"Terry!" The word was but the faint
est whisper, but the watcher instantly
bent his head to listen.
1T is morning." came the faint, gasp
ing accents, and again the white lids
dropped over the blue eyes. Five, ten
minutes passed. Then Colonel Terry
lifted the dead hands and crossed them
over the pulseless breast, reverently
covering the still, white face, and turned
away.
His two friends had met once more
''in the morning" of . fadeless day.
A WISE HOfasE.-The horse lives in