The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-03-28

rance OF her movements. Inquiry and
search revealed nothing. She seemed all
at once TO have disappeared utterly from our
knowledge. By-and-by | began to get dis
couraged. After year had gone by, and
not word Of tidings had come from her, I
felt that she must be dead. My cart made
grave for Its sweet, perished hope aud set
up white stone there, and on II was the
one word, "Faith."
| Then the war broke ont. | enlisted.
was in many battles and escaped without
wound until II came to the lorg siege before
| Petersburg. Then ! was struck by ball
and carried of the field with many others,
TO suffer for days aud days from want of care
more than from the wound. Then fever
set in, and between the lack Of care and the
fever | was brought down to the gates of
death. There fingered, 10th to enter.
For many days life was an utter blank to
me. But one morning dim ray Of con.
seriousness crept In across my brain, and
opened my eyes and looked feebly about me-
I was in a hospital. could see the long
wards with the little white beds ranged in
rows down them, pale faces lying on many
pillows, and nurses coming and going, here
AMI there. Looking down the aisle to the
door, saw awoman clad in soft, gray
dress come in. A sunden thrill went ting
ling through my veins. It was wonderfully
like Faith g, as she stood in the shadowy door
way, and II turned TO gold When ray of sun
light fell upon 1t through an open window
just as Faiths hair had a trick of doing
Suddenly she turned toward me. Then
rose up, with a sudden strength born Of grea,
Joy, and cried out:
Gath Faith ~
For II was her face that saw. 1t had
changed since had seen It last. It hat
grown womanly and thoughtful and stronger
but II was the same sweet, tender face that
had loved so we'll, for all that.
She heard me, and came toward my bed
My sudden strength gave way, and kind o
half Inconsistencies came over me. Blu
through II all knew enough of what wa
going on about me TO know that Faith cam
. to me, and bent over me, weeping and call
ing my name, and that she kissed me.
Then l felt warm thrill Of life steal bacl
into my veins, and opened my eyes an,
spoke her name family. But she heard It
and bent down to me, crying out:
"Oh, he knows me! He knows me! lar
so glad!"
"Don't be frightened II did faint" said
81 am not going to die; now that l hav
found you, couldn't"
"Don't let him talk much, the old docto
, said. "Keep him as quiet as possible, an
there is some hope for him."
1clung TO Faiths hand and would not lie
her go, for fear might lose her again. Sh
sat down by my bed, and took my hand Il
, hers, and smiled upon me in way that wa
. very pleasant to man who had seen but f.,
1 women's faces for long time. And tn
pleasantest part was it was my lost Faith
. face, the face of the woman had given up a
l dead. There was something SO re stful in
Y that felt a sweet, deep sleep stealing owe
me; presently I slept and dreamed of hel
5 When woke she was sitting by my bedsid
J.. still.
"Where have you been all the long tin
, since lost you ?" asked her by-and. by.
i, Charming my bread, aud trying 10 forg'
!. you," she answered. "You see''-in answt
1 to my look Of inquiry-'they made me b,
:. lieve you were amusing yourself with m,
a and Miss Grayle was very angry with m,
r and would not stay. know now that the
| deceived me. Let us forget all, since IL
j. over. Shall we noti"
8 ayes, all but that loved you," al
Q swered. GAIL but that loved you then an
. love you now, and must have you for my ow
for all time to come. may have you Faith
J. You will let me keep you henceforth in m
: life as have kept your memory in my hea
q through the year since you were lost to me
/. "If you want me-" she said, softly, an
8 drew her sweet face down TO me and kisse
r her to seal the compact that our hearts mac
then and there-the compact we have kel
g faithfully ever since, and will, please Coz
v until the end.