The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-03-23
SELECT STORY.
I'm THE MORNING.

ing man of thirty-five, in the uniform
of a cavalry colonel in the Confederate
service. The time was a summer night
in '63; the place the hotel parlor in
small village of Middle Tennessee. The
occasion shop" given in honor of
detachment of Forests cavalry, the
daring riders whose names are house
hold words in Southern homes, from
the mountains of Tennessee to the val
ley of the Mississippi. The young lady
referred to was a pretty, graceful girl,
with dark grey eyes, waving hair, of
dark, reddish gold and the exquisite
complexion that so often accompanies
it.
"Who is she7 asked the colonel's
companion.
"Tbat is Picton's sweetheart, Miss
Garnett"
"Not the same one that saved his life
after Shiloh7" said Captain Barclay.
"The same" reioined Colonel Terry
"She is little creature to do such a
thing, but she did. You see, she was
in the neighborhood at the time of the
battle, and somebody told her that Pic
ton was killed. She went over the field
and found him badly wounded through
the lungs but still alive. She sent a
boy that she had brought with her to
hunt up a surgeon, and she stayed by
Picton. The boy found DR.. Cowan,
and when they got back Miss Garnett
had raised Picton up with his head on
her breast, so that he could breathe
more easily. DIR. Cowan examined the
wound without moving him, and told
her that he was afraid it was hopeless,
for the least motion, even laying down
again, might produce a fatal hemor-
rhage. If he could be kept perfectly
quiet until m orning, and the bleeding
checked during the night, he might
have brae chance of pulling through.
well, said the brave little woman, he
shall be kept quiet for l will stay just
here and not let him move And she
did; she never stirred all night, and in
the morning they carried him to the
nearest house, and she nursed him un.
til he was out of danger"
"That's a sweetheart worth having
said Capt. Barclay, with glance Of
admiration at the subject of their con
versation.
Half an hour later Colonel Terry was
at Miss Garnetts side, receiving warm
greeting that told the two were fast
friends.
"Tell me of my friends in the OLD
battalion" she said pleasantly.
"How many'" he asked, quizzically
"more than one?"
81 meant what 1 said,' she answered
with merry laugh and quick bright
blush; 81 have heard from 'one' of then
very recently"
"Does Charles know you are here {?
asked the Colonel.
'No it is week since left Memphis
Will they join you here7"
"They?" he replied inquiringly.
"The rest of the command, l mean,
she replied, blushing again.
"a portion of it may, but for tina
part that you are interested in / canno
say. You know they are with the ole
general, and their movements can't b.
counted on with any great certainty
"They are comets of the service,
said Miss Garnett "Quite as errati
at all events"
MAY have the pleasure of thi
dance?" said the Colonel, as the ban'
struck up quadrille. 81 know it i
useless to ask you for waltz
The dance over, he lead her to chair
and after q moments gay badinage
was about to resign his place in favo
Of other claimants for her smiles, whe
he saw sudden, ghastly pallor over
spread her features.
"Miss Alice are you ill.," he eXclainl
ed, anxiously. LET me get you som
water"
1t was scarcely moment before hi
return, but even then he was shocke
at her white, drawn face.
"Call my sister," she had said t
another gentleman with her, while Co
onel Terry had gone for the water, an
both reached her at the same time.
'Lucy, take me home she whisper
ed, family, 81 am dying
so, no, darling" said her siste
tenderly; "you will be well in the morn
ing
AS quickly as possible the carr.ag
was called, and the sick girl placed il
it.
When they were just started Colont
Terry wished them good night, eA
pressing his hopes that Miss Alic
would have recovered by morning Sh
put out her hand, and exerting he
strength said, distinctly:
"Yes, | shall be well in the morning
Tell Charley" her voice failed, an
lifting her slim, white hand, she lcoseI
ed the flowers she wore at her brea,
and put them into the coloners hanC
"Giye those to him-yes-in the morn
ing" Her voice died away to fair
whisper, and her head fell back on he
sisters shoulder. The lady who acte
as their chaperon hastened to appl
restoratives, and the carriage role
swiftly away.
The next morning, when Colon
Terry called to inquire after the invali
he had no need TO ask, for from II
door there foated the mournful insign
of death. Shocked beyond expressio
the hardy soldier turned away, unab
D. then to even offer his services, if thu
- were needed He went again aft
awhile and saw Mrs. Cameron, Il
= hostess of the sisters during their Wis
4 From her he learned the brief deta
of Alice's death. Her attack had be
s. a sudden spasm of the heart, and 8
3 had never rallied. She had spoken b
4 once; then they had caught her love
: name and a repitition of the words, "
8 the morning"
81 "Poor Charlie, who will tell him
Z groaned the colonel, when the lad
Il voice ceased
81 "You are his best friend, she a
81 swered. 81 think no one else could
y it so gently
GA Il can't" he replied, shaking
n head. II would rather face battel
- Why, you don't know, you can't thi
how his very life seems bound up
herr and now