The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-07-19

-Is.Iy, standing
in the yard, and holding a child by the
hand, addressed him:
"Soldiert"
He turned and brought his hand to the
visor of his cap as though it was superior
officer, instead of a superior being, he
saluted.
'Did yot speak, ma'am2"
slHave YOU had breakfastl' she said.
He said that he had not yet had that
pleasure.
"Come in, then, " she returned. "Ours
is justready."
He looked at his hands and his clothes
with some anxiety. It was three years
since he had eaten really civilized meal,
and his ambition did not extend beyond
a slice Of bread and meat. Perceiving
the kindness of the intention however, he
accepted the invitation.
Opposite him at the table sat a young
lady dressed in black, whom the hostess
spoke of, in half introduction, as her
niece His own name was not asked
There was something in the air and man
ner of this young lady, even more than in
her dress, suggesting some recent great
sorrow. She did not hold herself out as
a wretched being whose only refuge is
the grave. She was not gloomy or woe
BECOME She listened politely to the con-
versation, taking little part, except now
and then to ask a question, which finally
brought the young man to speak some
thing of his experiences. She was atten-
tive, while she was somewhat thoughtful
and sad As he went on he noticed that
her interest deepened, and once, as he
looked up, he was surprised and little
startled at the intenseness of her look.
When he spoke of Chickamauga, her
pallor deepened so visibly that her aunt
asked suddenly if she were i'll. She re
gained her composure in a moment, and
said she was quite well. Still her voice
was very low, with a slight tremor in it,
as she asked the number Of his regiment,
and she turned white as he gave it.
The next question came slowly. She
struggled hard TO control her voice, which
vibrated painfully, and sank almost TO a
whisper;
'sDid you know-Fred Raymond, of
Company BIZ"
1t was his turn now to be astonished.
Who was this who asked so unimportant
question with such a tragic air, and
who waited the answer as though life or
death might hinge upon it? The aunt
looked from one to the other in open
Iaouthed wonder.
II am Fred Raymond, he faltered
But before he had said it she saw the
answer in his face, and slipped to the
floor.
he held her head while the aunt ran
for the smelling 1t was not the
right thing to do in case of fainting,
but few people ever do treat such a case
properly. He mad never, in all his life,
had a young lady's head on his arm, and
was awkward and excited. He thought
rapidly, but could not understand the
situation. He remembered his CORE
spondent, and, curiously enough, at this
moment, the name came ike fash. But
this was not the town where she lived,
and this was not the young girl he had
pictured.
'sWho is this young Lady," he asked.
''My niece, Miss Meline"
"Melinel Lilliel" he gasped.
''In the name of wonder" said the
aunt, ''what does all this meanl Were
you acquainted with herr"
ssYes-no-Ib believe so, he answered.
rather obscurely. II will explain by
and by"
Miss Mehne soon recovered, in spite of
the unphysiological treatment She
looked at her aunt to see whether any
further revelation had taken place. Her
embarrassment Wa extreme, and the pal
lor in her cheeks gave way to a bright
crimson.