Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-28
A NOBLE HEART.

The battle was over. The enemy
we're vanishing in scattered groups
over the sands of the Soudan far from
the ghastly-looking spot which had
been the scene of the thickest of the
fight. At dawn the ground round the
wells had been green with the up
springing grass with which nature
covers our ragged mother Earth. At
nightfall it was down-trodden with
the tread of men who there had met
and struggled for supremacy, each one
glorying in the death of some fellow
man, who but for wars fell chance
might have been his friend had they
met in other lands among other sur
roundings.
The victors were now doing all that
lay in their power to relieve the suffer-
fngs of the wounded or to identify the
slain. No matter now if it were a
comrade or foe who lay upon the
sand; the last drou of water from a
weary soldiers canteen, or the last of
the treasured liquid in some officers
flask, was rendered as freely as though
Ii had been his nearest and dearest
companion who was in need OF it
Small chance was theirs of obtaining
rest and food; for they had made a
forced march to intercept the enemy.
and the wells were all but dry in the
oasis where the opposing columns had
Mt last met
A young officer was among the most
earnest of the searchers and at last he
came upon the one he feared, yet
wished to find. For if alive, he must
try to fan the Pickering flame of life
Into an enduring one; and if number
ed among the slain, he must write
home and torture loving hearts with
the terrible news.
It was not alone for loves sake that
he searched; it was for honor, which
to him was higher, more compelling
motive than any other could have
been.
The missing man was his foster
brother, and, although humber in
rank, both in social position and in the
army, was an obstacle which stood be-
tween his superior officer and his real
isation of what had been his most
cherished hopes.
Allan Fairford was the heir to -
goodly fortune, and his foster-brother,
Richard Oldacre, was the only child OF
his fathers gamekeeper, whose wife
had taken Allan to nurse soon after
his birth. She had cared for him as
tenderly as though the blood which
flowed through his veins had been of
her own, instead of the purest patri-
clan purple, and Allan had ever
kept a warm corner of his heart for
her.
Near Mrs. Oldacre's cottage stood
another-the retreat of a retired army
officer and his motherless daughter.
Little was known of them, save that
the father. Captain Rathbone, was a
cross-grained recluse, and that Nellie,
his daughter, was lovely child. fast
growing into beautiful young woman.
The fine home of the Fairfords shell
tered upon the outskirts of the extern
siye grounds surrounding it number
of cottages, the rents from which
formed an item in the income of Allan $
father. In one of these Mrs. Oldacre
lived after her husbands death, and in
another dwelt Nellie Rathbone, so that
even after his return to his own home
the old nurses foster-child could pay
her daily visits; and no matter how
unpleasant the day might prove, il
rarely passed without giving her a
sight of Adams rosy face.
From the first, Nellie was the object
of the two boys affections. For a
while each was content with worship
ing the pretty child, and with receiv-
ing her impartial smiles and thanks
for the various gifts they lavished
upon her. But, though of the inferior
rank. Richard was the more domineer.
ing OF the two, and soon became fore.
most in Nellie's regard. There was 6
curious resemblance between the fos.
ter-brothers. Both had fine, clear-cut
features, fair skins, and curly, yellow
hair; but Richards blue eyes had 8
deeper shade in the azure, and his lips
had a firmness in their lines which was
foreign to Allan's ever gay, insouciant
smiling face.
Eventually Richard had won the day
in Nellie's affections. All thought o.
worldly advantages faded before the
chances of the dominant, dark blue eye:
of the pleasant lad.
So Richard was really an obstacle in
the path of the young officer who now
searched for him, his face as pale aud
anxious as though his lifes happiness
depended on finding him alive, and i
wounded, with chance of recovery.
For an instant, at the roll-call, wher
no response came to the young sol
dier's name, that great enemy of souls
who ever stands ready to whisper some
evil thought into the ear, had sug
gested:
Dick dead on the battlefield, wha
glands between you and Nellie?"
But Adams cheek had taken on {
pallor which had been strange TO i
even on the ensanguined day through
which he had just passed, and with s
horror of himself for once harborins
such thought, he had started will
feverish haste to find him.
At last, partially hidden by the body
of q dead camel which had fallen across
him, Allan deserted him, insensible
but alive.
Lifting him in his sxor young arms
he bore him to the nearest ambulance
anxiously uperintending what rough
arrangements could be made for hi
removal, and watching eagerly TO
some sign of life.
After some time Dick opened hi
eyes, and saw Allan standing befor,
him. He was conscious.
ssGnI he Al.