Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1883-11-30
A SOLDIERS LOVE STORY.

A SOLDIERS LOVE STORY.
We were a, Cham when our DELAYED
mail wa received There was a mouth
oil letter from my young nephew. Reg
maid Iruvcrs. containing sad news.
My dear old friend Oswald Hamilton
was dead; biz affairs left in a bad way.
The Arrangement Of his papers. straight
cniug accounts. and settling up of the
estate woe left In my hands. A second
vas to the effect that Josenha fthe only
and mothcriess daughter Of my old
friend. low about tw~enfy-four years Of
age) lad finally refused him. That he
had secured a change into the Tenth,
which was soon 20 lie ordered away 10
fight the Iulus. and closed by saving
that the best thing | could wish him
was a bullet through the head in the
first engagement.
My poor Reg. II was his first taste
oflie's bitter. and IL was going dswn
hard longed 20 grasp BE hand IN
sympathy. l cursed the stupidity Of
mAil-carriers and stormed ADD swore At
the hundred and one annoying DELAYS
that kept me 20 long on my homeward
way. However, In two days | was well
vi NY IAAllfls
Soldiers are rough Of speech. | be-
gan 20 fashion some soft phrases Of
sympathy for my old friend daughter,
but gave up In despair. trusting that. as
IN battle. when the opportunity comes.
i should b. ready to equal Il. And,
after al, 10 such ~seif-reliant natures A.
Josepha's sympathy held a tone Of pity
which gave IL a disiasteful favor.
A word Of myself here. An old sol.
der nearing nifty. but hale and hearty.
i inherited az my brothers dea,h the
pile OF stone he called home and mis-
large business interests. A misaithrope
he had shown little taste for the society
OF his kind. Ny visits 10 him were
few and brief. / bad taken little notice
OF Joscpha until | came o. Dcerwood
n it, master. Her name describes her.
Diyinely tall. she had none II the awk-
wnrdness peculiar Ia Of her
stature, but her motion was AZ all times
free. suggesting the fight Of a sea-bird.
Better tnan beauty. her face expressed
dignity and character. Her mouth was
shapely and red. although a square law
and long chin proved somewhat detract-
i've TO II.
But her cyes-g2orious' C,earcst gray
with pupils Of Teivet set under a man :
forehead. She had n frank, Don CANA
rade way which played sal havoc with
mems hearts. whatever their armor.
Many Of the wisest and wariesi knelt AZ
her shrine, but each aud all vainly.
Between her and my dear lad there had
been an understanding. bfsed on a
childish attachment. Merely a silken
link ! cared little for society Though.
thank God never unfricndls or cold 10
my kind, ike my hrotherl. The sur
rounding country families who would
have lionized me on account of a few
scars and decorations mel with small
encouragement. aud bat for the fying
visits OF my young Lieutenant and an
evening cigar on one OF the wide We.
randas Of Hamilton Place, my time was
passed in riding, walking AMI shoot
ing.
Now, / will let you into a secret.
was surprised when | found il out my
sell. had fallen in love with Josrpha.
PrePosterDnsl So / said. At any rate.
give me some credit. never dreamed
OF telling her, and I went away. immc-
diately-travelng with a party OF
friends.
Ny Cd friend | mourncd sincere.
~. ihongl ten years my senior.
We bad been friends years and wears.
He knew stood ready to lend 4 help
ing hand whenever Il was needed: bot
be was proud % a fault ami though
had begged him 10 allow my assistance
tfor / knew be was ia SAD straits) he
would never take a penny.
tbs reverses were quick and sudden.
His indOmitable win upheld him in his
struggle for a time. When that broke
beneath the burden u troubles, which
grew heavier day BY day, he died.
Dear old friend " Here les a man
whom pride brought low. / murmured.
es ! stood over his grave.
had arrived az DcerwOod late In the
afternoon. and bad stopped In the
c~hurch-yard on my way 10 Jo.epha.
The grass waved % and fro.
fancied the one below stirred uneasily.
" Peace, " ! whispered. Your name
shall be elearedi your daughter guard
Joscpha let me in. She STAYED 10
fasten the door, and as she came up
with me IN the corridor she slipped her
warm hand into mine and held n
strongly. My eyes fen on Oswald !
picture as we entered the drawlng-room
Together we stood looking at Il. Then
j looked at Josepha IN her long. black
gown, her neck rising like a iilv stem
from It's somberness, as she stood by nv
side. Bereavement and harasslne
cares had set their marx on brow and
lips, though she held her head still
proudly, and her eyes looked into mine
unmisted.
II had loved her Ia the midst of her
happiness and light-heartedness. how
much more / loved her now, penniless.
with a faint shadow OF dishonor on her
name. forsaken by the crowd Of summer
day friends.
She looked into my face, for my
tongue was tied. AID then bent her head
and kissed my hand.
,'My dear" | said. "my dear"
The only safe thing for me 10 do was
10 go 10 the window, and | went. Pros.
emily she followed me, and having my
self as thoroughly In hand as an old
fighter should by this time, l sat down
beside her and we had a long, serious
talk.
The long rays of sunlight paled from
orange 60 amber and gradually faded
into the gray OF dusk, and as yet we