Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-05-24

He had found her in an old mansion
which the Union forces had taken posses
sion OF, caring for an invalid mother and
covering and trembling with fear, with no
one beside 10 protect her but an old negro
nanny and her decrepit husband, and his
chivairic heart went out 70 her at once rs
he reassured and calmed her fears, and
made the invasion as pleasant as possible
under the circumstances. The troops were
quartercd In the vicinity for a fortnight
and, when they were ordered on, Holroyd
Graham carried the heart Of the fair
Southern girl away with him and left his
ownin her keeping
The fathers wrath may be imagined
when, upon his sons return from the war,
SCARED from honorable service, he learned
that he was determined 10 make the penni-
less Southern girl his wife; but the son had
his share Of his fathers irmness, and, after
n fierce quarrel, they parted, the son leav-
ing wealth and home for the sake Of her
whom he loved.
The breach had never been healed, and
Holroyd Graham, after ten years Of happy
married life, died n lingering and painful
death. IN consequence Of injuries received
during his army life, leaving bis heart
broken wife with Grace, a mere child, and
the twins helpless infants, upon her hands
10 rear and educate.
The widows pension, which fortunately
was liberal one, suliced with the little
which they he'd accumulated TO keep actual
want from the door, and the delicate hands,
which had never been brought up TO labor,
performed many an unTonted task for pay,
and she had managed TO struggle along un-
til the children were able TO assist her in
small ways; but the memory Of her soldier
husband was ever kept green in her loyal
heart, aud, though she had &c seived advan-
tageous offers, she had refused them all
for his sake.
She had only written once TO the grand
father Of her children, telling him when
and where his son was buried, and opening
the way for reconciliation II he wished IL,
but he did not reply, aud Grace, too, under
the pressure Of actual need when she saw
her beloved mother failing under her bur
dens, had ventured little pleading letter.
which also went out upon its way, but
brought no response.
II was evening and the lamps cast a soft
glow over the elegant room which was
l fitted up for a library In luxurious home
many miles from the widow and her chill
drcn. One side was filled with a valuable
collection OF choice books the other was
devoted TO rare specimens Of art in paint
ing and sculpture, while in a corner niche
stood grand piano, bearing mute testi-
mony 10 the fact that the room had echoed
TO music in other days
The owner Of all this luxury sat by a CON
ter table, his face buried in his hands, and
his eyes fixed upon a letter which lay be-
fore him, accompanied by picture upon
which he looked with moistened eyes. II
was the widows letter. and Holroyd Gra-
ham looked upon Il as one in a dream. "All
alone All alone,n he said aloud, at last,
land he whom l relied upon as a staff for
my declining years is buried far away from
me and / have never ever seen the spot
where he lies, or the faces Of those whom
he loved most
He looked sadly about him. "All this
wealth and luxury is as empty husks to
me in my loneliness, and would give IL all
for one look into the honest blue eyes OF
my boy, one grasp Of his warm hand, but
have nothing but his distant grave which
other hands than mine will decorate on
Memorial Day; others win honor the brave
boy whom | sent out from my heart and
home for his cOuntry's sake.n
An indescribable longing came into his
heart 10 see for himself the spot where his
son lay, IL no more, and tonight, In his
softened mood, there was no hardness in
his heart toward the widow and the father
less children Of his son. II was not large
town where the widow Graham lived, so IL
was not large or imposing procession
which filed away TO the cemetery on Ne
mortal Day. II had been patriotic town,
as the number Of little flags flying above
the graves testified.
II wss always a sad day for the widow,
and to-day she shed bitter tears as the mar
tial music announced that the procession
had started for the cemetery.
These sounds always smote upon her ear
like a knell, reminding her Of the dreadful
war times, when father, brother and loved
ones were every day adding their names to
the rOll-call Of regiment and companies at
the recruiting offices. True, she had been
more fortunate than many, being more
nearly alone in the world, but even she had
seen a beloved father brought home
10 die and an invalid mother fade away
like a shadow under the afiiction, and the
fife and drum had a weird, dark memory in
its notes for her which time could never
efface.
The flowers were lavishly scattered, the
salutes were fired and tho main body OF tie
procession slowly filed out Of the cemetery
gates, but still the twins fingered by the
grave which they especially loved 10 honor
in memory of the father whose form and
face had long since passed from their re-
membrance. II was a pleasant place "a
them, shaded by many trees and watered by
a purling brook, from which the ground
took its name, "Brookside."
Loving hands kept IT in neat repair, and
rustic seats and jetting fountains made il q
pleasant spot in which TO spend a medita-
tive hour.
They were picking away few stray
weeds and polishing the white marble OF
the neat stone which marked the grave
when a stranger appeared; he was tall and
erect with snowy hair and keen eyes, and
as he drew near he fixed his gaze on Holly
with an eager look which drank in every
feature OF the boyish face as the thirsty
wayfarer drinks from cooling spring.
There was no need 10 establish the child's
identity for every feature proclaimed IL,
aud the old mans eyes filled with tears as
he drew near and laid his trembling hand
on the sunny head, asidng, gently: What is
your name, my son"
"HOlroyd Graham. sir" was the boys
reply, looking up in the still handsome and
aristocratic face Of the stranger in sur
prise.
"And who is this little maid" lifting
Freda's chin and looking earnestly into the
brown eyes 50 like those Of the mother
"This is Freda, sir, and we are twins"
replied wondering Holly.
| Anu Nh'ie - t"' iuvbhNi tHh lOF'iy
dayin
Mamma Is sick, sir, and we are
afraid"-and the boyish face contracted
with swift spasm Of pain, for even his
] light heart had become shadowed by the
knowledge that soon, only too soon, there
would be two graves In the green cemetery
| 10 cherish.
"And there is Grace, too, Is there
notin and the strangers voice grew ten
der and pitiful as he thought Of the little
letter in his desk at home, and earnestly
wished he had come long ago
But Grace must stay with mamma, she
coughs 80 dreadfully we can not leave her
| alone ~ aulied Ereda tfwidlv