The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-08-06
THE MAJORS STORY.
Exchange

The major had shown al his best and we had listened to his humorous narrative with keen delight. So the dinner had passed and the dessert was before uS. the servants had been dismissed and cigars were 1t. Then one of those unaeeoun,a- ble silences that come to such asSemblages fell upon us. and we putfed away al our cigars and said nothing, until the stiffness grew strangely weird and powerful. Suddenly the major stopped smoking and. looking al each of Us in turn. sad : |" You have often wondered why am no, married and now l will tell you. It is long story. but II may be of n- terest to you and as we are all that Is left have thought tha, the secret should De shared between IS.
 "When the war came l had but jus, graduated from college. and. as you Know enlisted as private. twas no easy mat ter for me to do this. bu; felt il 10 be my duty. was young. strong. and able to light. had means to make the life of | soldier as comfortable as II could be made and. while my mind longed for literary and peaceful scenes. still fel, that owed my country duty. 1, was but shor, time after enlisted when @e were ordered south. The regiment. as you know, had hard work and plenty of It. but my par, was as well rewarded IS could wish. for l was soon advanced To the command of my company.
 You remember the time when we went south of the Rappahannnck. and were quauered in this queer little village. where even. though we were foes. the people treated Us so kindly: You must also re- member the large house back of the vll- -lage. the ae-that crowned the hull on whose sides were so many orchards: We'll ! had been but a day 3az the village when l found ou; that l, was the nai.ye place of Harry Wayne. my college chum. and also that the house on the hiil was his home
 For a few days rcfraned from call ing, thinking that my uniform migh, be distasteful to Hafry : mother and sisters. for he had gone with h.s state and va, an officer in Ices arrrv. \ las, ray des5re to know something oi r4< ald friend grew too strong ;o be kep' I, fsn by such scru- pies. and one afternoon! walked ;o ,a the house. and passing up the broad carriage way running from the road ,p the door went slowly up the steps leading 10 the pleasant and shady veranda. and lust as I was about sounding the massive old-fAsh- toned knocker the door was thrown open and young and beautiful woman stood before me. The laQsh tha, had been a momen, before rippiing from her hps ceased and she started back with slight gesture of alarm. but my doiicd cap and peaceful attitude Feassured he, and she stood waiting.
 ...Is Mrs Wayne n / asked.
 ''' My mother ls a, home: aho shall [ say desires to see her,
 = Charles Talbot ciassmate of her son. and al present with the regiment quartered IF she village
 What are you the Gharicy Talbot who was Harry chum al coliesc:'
 "' ann
 ''s Then come m. for ae al seem ,o know you. and. though oH opposite sides are friends. and she held ou; her hands.
 '' took f. ana Its warm clasp ihuiied me strangely, d. dad ,..e clear glance ot the bright eyes that were up:arned ta nlne.
 ~'I am Nabel Wayne. Harry's .s,er. she ven, on. Me haze heard >9. mach from Harry concerning you. and you- kindness h hiHl, tha; .e have ot;en longed to mee, you. Hanl sad tha, he knew you would De in the northern army: bg, for Us. in your case. there is no war. Please be seated and aiI call mother.
 We had passed into large. airy drawing room while she had been speak ing. Here she Jeff me and soon returned with a middle-aged lady. whose beauty was of tha; quiet. mo,herly kind. so rich m the power iha, makes one comfortable and al ease. l found that. despite my an- tagonistio uniform. } was held a friend. and glad was to know this. for the firs, glance Of Mabel Wayne eyes had broken down the barrier that had raised agains, iove-barrier of which had made many