Wichita eagle., 1888-09-23

suan accompany YOU" ne said They VIII
protect you and bring the body here"
Thank your 1t was all she could say,
but tears of gratitude rose in her eyes as she
bent low over his extended hand
And then for the first time she learned the
full particulars Of her lovers exploit: how he
had led the scouting party, rushing boldly
into the very face OF the foe, and by this ac-
ton saving the military from the ambush
the savages had prepared for them. In q
moment the battle had begun, but ere his
comrades were hand to hand with the red
skins, who seemed to Turk behind every bush
and tree, this bold young soldier had met his
fate, falling with his face to the foe.
Sat least he died like hero her heart
whispered whenever the bitterness Of her woe
threatened to overwhelm her.
Two days later, after long and weary
journey, her little party reached the soldiers
camp. The boys had intrenched themselves
behind small knoll overlooking the sur
rounding country, fortifying themselves with
earthworks against any attacks from the In
dams. The flag Of truce was up, however,
and all things seemed for the present peace
full
At sight Of her the boys raised a cheer.
Many of the militia knew her, and they were
proud Of her They knew her for what she
was-a brave, heroic girl, purely, sweetly
womanly, yet ready as any Of her brothers
to take the weapons from her belt and defend
her life or that of any she loved-a girl I'M
bued with all the glory and the strength Of
her native mountains
She acknowledged their cheers with
sweet, grave dignity; then the leading officer
n her escort whispered something to tns
major ere he helped her to disnount.
She caught the reply. 1t made her trem-
bic; but with the suspicion of a great Joy,
not a sorrow.
Not dead!n were the words which came
from her white lips with gasp.
"No'-the major came to her side quickly
the courier made a mistake. 1t was Ned
Sampson who died. Ashby still lives, though
be lies still almost at deaths door"
All mistake-an a horrible drean.-oh!
such happiness was almost impossible TO
realize! Giving her hand to the major, she
almost leaped from the saddle Her feet
seemed, like the winged Mercurys, to speed
TO him.
The major led the way into the tent where
the wounded man lay, motioning the guard
aside. Then he left her, followed by the
young officer who had been in attendance.
Alone, the girl threw herself on her knees
beside her lover. But there was no recosni-
ton for her IN the deep blue eyes-thoss
proud, brave eyes that had never met her
own save in love and tenderness He was
unconscious, with the delirium of the fever
upon him The words he murnured were of
the battle field, net of the brave girl who had
ridden so many, many weary miles just to
look upon his dead face.
Taking up the hand that lay so helpless
against the rough blankets, she pressed it to
her lips: and then, for the first time, the
tears fell from her eyes-fell in hot, blind
ing mist. What pain and anguish had not
done, Joy now accomplished-joy that he
still lived, and that she had reached him in
time to give all her young life to his care and
service
HIS coat, the one he had worn when part
ing from her, lay on the bed Her eyes
darkened as she saw the stains Of blood and
the bullet hole. She took it in her hands,
examining it keenly. There were the pansies,
faded and worn, still pinned inside. The
bullet had passed through just above them.
Had the bullet struck him an inch lower"
one of the men afterward told her, sit would
have proved fatal
Perhaps the pansies, by some subtle influ-
ence, had saved him; perhaps her own spirit,
in that momen. Of agony, had passed into
them, making them indeed q real talisman to
protect him She loved to think this-that
God had answered her earnest prayers by in
yesting these, her chosen flowers, with the
power TO save his life
1t was only girlish fancy, but it made her
happy. She took the dead, sweet blossoms
and laid them tenderly away. Until they
became dust these faded flowers would be
sacredly cherished.
All this time the camp had not been with
out menace, but the redskins had been kept
at bay until the arrival Of fresh troops
Through all this danger Jeanette had been
unwavering. Not one expression of fear had
passed her lips, though she, ike all the rest,
drew sigh of relief when the troops arrived
Then followed hot pursuit of the Indians;
they were pushed back TO the reservation.
Jeanette came to Ned's bedside one day
with look of JOY upon her lovely face 1t
was like TRANSPORTATION
Ned she cried, with a return of her old
life and spirits, 1.-The war is over Peace is
declared, and we are going TO take you home
tomorrow"
For answer he silently pressed the small,
warm hand that crept into his own When
ever was there q sweetheart so tender and
true, 50 beautiful ard bravel
When they reached the Springs, loud ard
wild were the cheers given for the brave BOYS
returning from the war; and not only for
the boys, but for the brave girl who had
dared TO 60 to the front for loves sake.
Under the glorious sweep Of the spangled flag
she rode, her cheeks afame Ike the crimson
slopes, and her eyes splendid with the sunlight
of love-
II know twas the pansies that saved you"
she whispered to Ned, when they stood once
more together under the shadow of their Own
beautiful, royal tinted mountains. The pam
sizes have human faces, and believe God has
invested every blossom with graces and pow
er, which we do not comprehend"
Her tall lover looked down upon the sweet
face uplifted to his smiling at the girllsh
folly, Yet touched by the pure faith in it
And, after all, who shall say that she was
not right-that God has not left his divine .
impress upon the beautiful wind tossed bios (
SONS as upon our own human. up reaching
souls! The mysteries CT the spiritual world, /
SO close TO our own, are mathematician 1
ME Isabel Sherrick IN Frank Leslie's.
The Lates. Fashionable Gait.
''Have you observed the new gait /