Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-04-03

A4O1A III A444@4A NAGlO4
Though well tended and cared fer
By kind friends, he fingered many
months in pain before he could write
to the loved ones at home, who had
only heard of their absentee through
his commander.
As soon as we'll enough to write.
his letter was sent to his sister. the
playmate of his youth, whom he knew
would be very joyous to hear of his
recovery and of his leave of absence,
that would permit him to return to
his native hills.
In this letter he wrote in glowing
terms of his chieftain, telling of his
deeds of daring in the fearful battles
through which they had fought to-
gether, dwelling long upon his untir-
ing and tender care of him through
those long weary hours of pain and
suffering, and lastly of the gallant
charge and The mastery defeat of the
foe.
The sister read with gratitude of
his goodness to her wounded brother,
and her soul kindled with admiration
over the deeds related that would
place the great soldiers name first in
fame.
The absent brother was again well
coined to the arms of his happy fam
lily. Many evenings were passed in
the relations of incidents of the late
war, always full OF interest to ElIenor,
because her hero bore a conspicuous
part in each and all And it soon
became the one wish of her heart to
meet with and know the man that her
fancy had painted so highly.
The fates seemed to smile upon the
young maide's hopes, for very soon
a letter came to Rudolph. from his
beloved Captain. telling him that du-
ring the next few months lie would be
travelling through the country in which
his young friend and comrade lived,
and it would give HIM great pleasure
to pass some days with him, renewing
their old friendship and hunting the
wild game in his native forests.
This intelligence filed Rudolph
with great delight, and his parents
felt glad that they could show some
hospitality to one who had tended
their darling boy with so much care
in his hours of need and suffering:
but to the heart of EiIencr it brought
that happiness which she had never
known before She grew impatient
for the hour 10 come when she should
welcome their distinguished guest.
One evening as she sat beneath the
Vinc-cIad a.rbor near their door, look
ing as fresh aS. ;hc flowers around her,
she was startled by approaching foot
steps sud raising her eyes they net
those OF :, IsaEisSme stranger. whom
her brotaer Introduced as My Cap
tain =.
::sistcr,'' . said the happy boy.
''he has come at last. and l Have told
how iGpat;eatly we have looked for
him, and how disappointed you were
last evening. that brought him not. {"
This speech brought the. blood to
the check of the lovely girl, and as
the Captain gazed upon her, watch
ing The color rs ii came and went, and
the sparkle of her eye. he thought,
though in many lands he had roamed.
lo"c'icr vision had never dawned
upon lin than this. Though with
that case and grace that always marks
soldiers bearing, he extended his
hand to her who stood biushing before
him, and assured her he felt much
grat;tied at the pleasure expressed at
his coming.
The three then hastened to the
house, where the old people received
thciT guest with much kindness and
he soon felt that he was surrounded
by sincere and noble hearts, and he
felt that ease which at once made him
at home among them.
The promised few days heightened
into weeks. and to ElIenor these weeks
were full of hopes and happiness
Many hours were passed in the society
of this learned and courtIy gentle
man. They read together, and when
weary of books they would wander
over the hills and through the glens,
in search of the many wild flowers
that bloomed f< and near.
He enjoyed these moments. spent
with one whose purity of character
and beauties OF mind made her de-
lightful companion. And while he
loved her for her charms of woman
hood and as the sister of his friend.
he loved her not with that devotion
which he had given to one whom he
had met and TO whom he hGd pledged
his heart and hand before ne had seen
1.-The flower of the WILDWOOD" that
was blooming with so much fragrance
in its mountain home.
And not once did he dream that the
heart of the beautiful girl who was
his daily companion, felt more for him
than the strongest friendship. Little
did he know how tenderly she had
learned to love him, how her heart
beat faster and faster at his approach
ing footsteps, and how lonely and long
those hours seemed when he was alb
sent with her brother.
IesI she loved him; happy in his
presence, never asking herself if he
loved in return. So bright and de-
licious was her dream that she aroused
herself not from it by questioning
doubts.
Yet! while she asked not herself
did he love in return, she never
thought that his heart was wholly
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