The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-10


thought, at speaking Of her betrothed:
You must take care of him for me, Cousin
Toni"
II viii. cousin Patty he answered, lifting his
right hand, Il will, so help me God"
There was that in his tone that told her the
truth--alas. too late. Too late, indeed, for the
next instant the orders were given, and the little
company began their march. No time now for
words OF explanations no time now for even a
backward glance. Forward march" And who
might look beyond tomorrow and tomorrow.
and count the weary months that must pass
before the remnant of the gallant band would re-
turn! Who might know which of them would
| come back to 1.-The old Kentucky home" and
which of them find nameless graves under tropic
skies2 Further and further down the road they
marched, and the echoes of the drum and lfe
came back to that company of mothers, and SIS
ters and sweethearts who strained eyes blurred
with unshed tears to see the very last OF the
boys"
Sometimes in the months that followed, Patty
wondered if she had not simply imagined that
tone in Toms voice as he made that last promise
to her. The rare letters that, after long weeks
of travel, found their way home, told how the
boys Jared; and all the clan reioiced as the as
surance came that as yet the soldier ladies
they loved were safe. True the assurance was
old when it came, and they could not know what
had happened since.
There came messages to Patty from one and
another of her cousins, but never word from
y,
have written to her tiff she were right in in
terpreting that deep thrill in his voice. Even
though he did know she was engaged to Walter,
he might write. No, it could not be true; she
must have been mistaken. But she tried to be
her old, bright self. She would not have it
thought that she was pining for her lover Was
1t Walkers face she longed to sect
But the war was over at last, and when the
news reached home of its triumphal close, then
began the preparations to welcome home 1.-The
haV- ~ 49,, 1lxy 11a.l
Alasi not all Of them would return. There were
nameless graves at Buena Vista, Palo Alto,
Monterey, Resaca de la Palma, where the
light of many a life was quenched, where slept
the sons of many proud Kentucky
name, and among those who greeted the
homecomers were many black-robed mother
or sister, welcoming with tender, aching hearts
those who had fought side by side with their
gallant dead.
Oh, but the boys were received with open
arms! What dinings there were with the uncles
ION Mulberry" and the aunts ION Fox Run,
and the cousins ''out the Mount Eden road!'
The turkeys that were roasted! The chickens
that were fried! The savory hams that were
yielded up by the wel-filled smoke-houses! The
fat sheep and oxen that were sacrificed in honor
Of the returning conquerors! The wonderfully
delicious compounds of flour ana sugar and but
ter and eggs that were manufactured by the
sable ''aunties" in the kitchens! How the little
darkeys groaned and nodded over the manipula'
For the first few weeks after the home coming
Patty had little time to think of herself Cousin
Tom had core back with his arm in sling, and
Cousin Lynn still had to use his clutches.
Patty felt rather indignant that her own knight
had no honorable scars but she knew full well
Walker was not one to shirk mis- share of
fighting.
OF course there was many a tale to tell of
their campaigns and one day, when dozen or
so of the young folks were gathered in Uncle
Hpprv'S parlor Hpnrietta exclaimed.
Nov, Cousin Tom, it's your turn next! We
shall not let you off this time"
But I've nothing new to tell, Cousin Hen
rietta," said Tom. embarrassed at being singled
out for the post of narrator
Tell us how you had your arm hurt" per-
sisted Henrietta.
ut was shot" he answered lightly, but sud-
denly turning crimson.
''Of course, but howl Cousin Tom, you are
SO provoking"
"Ill tell you about that" spoke up Alex, from
across the hearth.
mo. you wont!" said Tom shortly. 'There's
nothing to tell except that we were uncomforta-
bly, close to lot of rascally Mexicans, and one
of them happened to wing me. That's ALL"
But thereby hangs tale,'" said the ire
pressible Alex, but catching Toms glance. half
angry, half mploring, he dropped the subject
and presently suggested music, and Cousin Tom,
to atone for his refusal to tell a story, was
called on TO bring out his violin. He was per-
seemed to endow it with soul. vocing forth the
deepest emotions of the human heart He did
not look at Patty he played to-day. but ne
PLAYED for her alone, and she, hardly daring to
think it. felt once again that same tghtness in her
throat that had held her dumb on that miserable
evening so long ago. Was it true9 Did he love
her as she had dared to think in that brief part
ing moment years gone byg
She felt unaccountably irritable with Cousin
Walker when he came to her. after awhile. and
xL-S IL. ,I.1 49, 4. -
marked attentions to Cousin Henrietta on sew
eral occasions fancied that Cousin Patty was,
perhaps, little Jealous. He felt alarmed lest
after all he might lose the coveted prize, and
for the remainder of the day endeavored to
atone for his remissness. But Patty was not in
clined to be notified. Indeed, she almost
snubbed Cousin Walker, and Cousin Lynn,
whose sharp eyes missed nothing that was going
on rejoiced unfeelingly.
Its shame" ne said. in a confidential aside
to his sister Anna, Ito think that Cousin Patty
should prefer him to Tom"
Cousin Anna did not think it prudent to reply
in words but nodded mysteriously, and pursed
up her rosy mouth with the air of one who could
reveal weighty secrets. And Cousin Lynn took
the hint, and straightway set himself to decide
whether Cousin Patty did really prefer Cousin
Walker.
In the course of week he had made shrewi
guess at the truth of the matter, and forthwith
consulted his chum. Cousin Alex.
| wrathfully. "for letting Walker get the inside
track"
''Then you think. I do, that Toms chance
was better than he thought?" said Lynn.
Eyes. But what business had he to give up
girl like that because he thought she wouldn't
have him? Why didn't he ask her27
That's for him to say. rejoned Lynn. 'But
| if Cousin Patty does really care for Tom Walker
shan's have her. I'll forbid the bans!" and he
| laughed as he spoke. But he meant the spirit
| of his testing words, though not the letter.
| 1t was through some words Of his that Patty
| one day asked Walker to tell her how Cousin
| Tom was wounded.
ut happened in little affair just before the
| war ended" Walker said not looking at her as
| he spoke. 'There were a lot of us captured and
afterward rescued and in the scrmmage Tom
| got a couple of musket balls in his arm and
| shoulder"
| II don't why he objects to telling about
| the affair" remarked Patty.
| "Oh. WELL" said Walker carelessly, ''he's a