The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-05-23

his life might be poisoned by an unoying re-
greet speak softly:
4Major Mcdonald"
aWho callss" he cries "That is an
English voice. Is there any one here in dis
tressp
@Yes,D answer II am very ill-wounded
| am not Zulu but an English soldier"
He takes my hand in his, and looks at it
tenderly.
"How small and delicate" be says. "You
must be very young Only little drummeri
Have courage, my boyl shall not forsake
you, and shall carry you to a place of safety
if possible; if not, we can die together But
harkl Here is the foe in full forceP and ne
stands near the door, with his head thrown
back, his arm appraised to strike.
l know who is about to enter--it is the
head night nurse, who has heard the noise IN
my room, and is coming up-and unless
can turn him away, her fate Is sealed Iof
he has in him, for the time being, the
strength of twenty men,
Icall out feebly: "You are wrong. That
is the ambulance nurse; you would not hurt
her There is the foeI" and point to the
corner where my dressing-gown is lying,
presenting somewhat the shape of human
figure He dashes at it with deep, venge
full cry, and the knife pierces it with such
force that it snaps in two, leaving the point
buried in the woodwork beneath.
The head night nurse now enters, a sweet
faced woman with golden hair whom all
the patients love. Dear Nurse Branscombel
How thankful am that cruel knife did not
seek her heart. Maj Mcdonald turns; the
sight of the nurses face recalls his wander
ing mind. He passes his hand over his brow
and looks bewildered His strength seems
to fail, and he mumurs:
a fear l have made great fool of my.
self. thought was in Africa. am SC
sorry /" and he turns away dejectedly.
The next day l am worse-more feverish
and Maj Mcdonald is beyond measure
distressed. He recollects the last nights
scene vaguely, and in his contrition sends
out for bouquet, which the nurse brings
me, with his compliments-also tiny note,
feebly written. imploring me to forgive him,
and to send him leaf in token thereof.
select rosebud. am too weak to write
now, and beg that he will think no mere
about it.
l do not see Maj Mcdonald for three
weeks; nor do hear much about him, as
soon after private room on the women's
side of the hospital becoming vacant, l am
carried over, so that only from the head
night nurse and the doctor do hear any
news of him.
lpreserve his flowers as long as it is pos
sible; and when they are thrown away some
how the room looks lonelier. They do not
all 60, however, for keep rosebud similar
to that which have given him. l have ii
STILL and hope that when l am in my coffin
it will be laid upon my breast
When next we meet, l am sitting in the
garden, wrapped in shawls and cloaks. look.
ing doubt not, very fragile and insignif-
cant piece of humanity. The resident medi-
cal officer comes forward, and with him a
man tall and broad shouldered. who, though
weak and languid now, would in full vigol
be the ideal OF soldier and hero. DR.
Browne introduces him.
Maj McDonald-Miss Rose Morley. Sht
does not look much like Zulu chieftain to
| day, does she, majors"
The young doctor laughs and chats for 6
few moments, and then strolls away toward
the mems convalescent ward. Maj Nc
Donald, who was sitting beside me- now
bends forward.
Miss Morley" he says earnestly, al hav,
to thank you deeply for the courage which
saved me from taking either your life or tn,
| nurses, or both do not ask your pardon
| for / have it here;" and he touches hi
| breast
What does he meant Is my rosebud mex
| to his heart, as his is next to minea 1t cal
not be. am only silly girl of IS, and b
is SO, and gallant soldier, above all sucl
| sentiment | blush and faltsr somethin;
| stupid, and We enter into conversation
How different it is from the twaddle O
Louisss silly baronet, and from that of tht
'horsy" marquis | live in fairyland, from
which the nurse rouses me to say that tea i
ready.
| l see no more of Maj Mcdonald that day
but on the next and the next he sits besid
me on the seat, which, though somewha
worm-eaten and brittle, seems to me, sine
he is there, glorious enough to be resting
! place for demigods. How l hate the we
days which come now and then, and q
which cannot see himl
/ Sit drearily in my room one wet day.
"No visitors" says the doctor, coming in
mot even DIR. Tra1lli You are not SO we
off as your friend, the major He has Mr.
Mcdonald with him"
A great surging comes into my head,
blindness before my eyes
There is a mischievous twinkle in the do
tors eye
She is beautiful woman ne says; ian
it is only natural she should come to Sc
him, is it noti"
10 yesr and l laugh idiotically and tai
so gaily that the doctor stays for what
me seems hours twill he never go!" | as
myself.
He rises at las:, runs down the stairs, an
I hear him whistling "Nancy Lea as /
crosses the low corridor rise and look OF
Of the window. The rain has ceased, bl
everything looks damp and dreary. l ca
myself ugly names.
Fool, idiot, to love a man whom hay
known only fertnight-just fifteen day
No, don't love him." say, fiercely. at
only fancy which will pass away when
leave this place, and have other things [
occupy me-"
And yet, and yet know it is no fancl
but the love which can never pass ava
while earth shall hold me- And he-he b,
no right to act as he did, since he was a ma
ried man. He even told the doctor he WI
single, and the nurse said it was on the bosr
containing his description. True, WIS
fool took a fancy to him from The fir
night saw him; but it was only fancy, an
he famed it into love. His voice softene
when he spoke to me, his eyes lighted whe
he looked at me. 0 cruel, cruell
1t is fine the next day, and / go out in I'll
afternoon. | resolved to be dignifed-t
least, so far as my five feet two, my slend,
figure, and childish appearance will allo
me-and | saunter down the walk slow
and with my head in the air 1t is a
thrown away SO far as Maj Mcdonald
concerned, for he is not there, and, notwit
standing my contempt for him, my sill
heart sinks At last he comes striding dow
the path, with eager eyes and outstreche
hands.
81 am glad to see you again." hs say
warmly. How dull you must have bee
yesterday"
"Oh, not at all" answer frigidly. ado
tor Browne sat with me long time, an
was SO agreeable" this with empressemen
His face falls.
IL am glad" he says; but, somehow, b
does not look so. 81 had very WELDON
visitor who stayed nearly all day;" and /
smiles
Eyes; / heard your wife was with you"
j H. d.