The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-03-09
In AFTER DAYS.
MAUDE MEREDITH.

uchCo q hiShNt OAS ooAS~J
day.
We had been old-time friends and
confdents, as the word understood
among ladies, for years; but had
never even guessed at the secret of
her life-the reason why she stood
to-day fair and mild and sweet-so
utterly alone in the world.
My friend glanced up at me quick
ly, then turned her face away, while
the soft, red color surged over her
neck. / had not thought to wound
her.
Pardon me, DEAR" 1 said, eff 1
should not have asked you; but it
seemed to me that I might share
your trouble with you"
at is only very little story"
she said, smiling sadly. 81 think
one might laugh at it, but-well, it
has been my story after ALL"
"You were not afraid OF rldlcule
from me, Janet?" l asked.
"Not ridicu!e; but thought you
would feel that I had been foolish
perhaps. When / was a child, al
most as far back as l can remember,
had a small, boyish sweetheart,
who was always my cavalier and de-
fender. As we grew older together
the friendship deepened, and soon
after the war broke out he enlisted.
At that time there had been no def
mite promise between us, yet l think
we both felt that our future lay to-
gether. In fact l had never thought
of any other possibility, and do not
think Lucien had. There were STIR
ring times when the new recruits
were hurried rapidly to the front.
On the evening Def ore the departure
of the company, Lucien came up to
spend the time with me.
81 have something very serious to
say to you, tonight" he said to me,
in low tone, when he noticed my
father and mother preparing to re-
tire. Just then a team drove up to
the door with clash and rattle, and
a voice called:
"'Fall in! Lucien Herold, fall in!"
owe all rushed to the door, only to
learn that orders had come to move
Immediately, and teams had been
sent out to collect the men. With
one clasp to his quickly beating heart,
one farewell kiss. and the whispered
words 4 will write it all, my brave
boy was gone, and the signing of the
wind through the shade trees drowned
the rumble of the departing wheels,
now tar down the dusty road.
"They are to meet at Montville TO-
night my father said, turning from
the door, and the regiment will leave
there tomorrow afternoon. I have
to go there tomorrow to deposit
some money; if you want to ride out
with me, Janet, and take look at
the boys, you may go along
"Mont vile was the county-seat, sit
uated about eighteen miles from
Jaysburg, and on the morrow we
were up and stirring long before
light, and were well on our way when
the early morning sun threw long
fire needles of light over the top of
Bald mountain. just what an ag-
ony of regret, anticipation and i'm
patience l suffered as we moved along
l can never express.
"The money deposited in the bank,
we set out to the camp. After hours
of inquiry and patient waiting, we
learned that Lucian Herold hadgone
home on leave of absence that morn
ing, and was not expected back until
time for the train to leave. | crept
away, stunned and disappointed. At
the station we waited patiently again
for one last glimpse of him. He saw
us as he marched aboard the train.
and attempted to fall out for last
word; the bell rang, the conductor
shouted all aboard and Lucien
darted to my side, wrung my hand
with a low goodbye, dearest and
then bounded on board the moving
train.
"It was late and dark when we
reached home that night, and to our
queries mother replied that there
had been no one there that day ex-
cept Helen Bethel. Her father had
seen us drive by at such an early
hour that she had run over, out of
curiosity, to know the reason.
"I told her that you had bust
ness that would take about all day,
and that Janet had gone part way
with you to visit one of her friends,
mother said, smiling at the thought
that she had mystifed Helen, rather
than satisfied her prying nature. i
eve were living in a country town,
about three miles from the nearest
post-off1ce, and mail for our neigh
borhood was often brought by some
of the neighbors and left at 81.
Holdin's' at the crossroads about
half a mile below Mr.. Bethel's house.
Here ] went for my mail, day after
day, waiting for the promised letter
from Lucien, but none came.
"Helen told me she received letters
from him almost every day, and at
last, in great confidence, showed me
a ring and told me that she and Lu-
Glen were engaged, and that was his
reason for coming home on leave of
absence the day after he started. AS
l had never told any one that we
went that day to Montville, or that
he had been absent, l felt that she
must be telling me the truth, else she
could never have known. Further
than this, Helen showed me a num-
Der of letters addressed to her in his
familiar hand.
"From that day to this Ihave new
er spoken his name. Father and
mother grew aged, and died without
knowing what had happened between
lis. At the battle of Bull Run he was
reported killed. Perhaps Ihave been
very foolish, but" (the soft, blue
ewes filed with tears. and the lips