The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1889-05-30

bedside
Hoyt's wounds healed rapidly under
the tender nursing of mother and
daughter. In two weeks he was able
to be taken out on the broad verenda,
where he Law basking in the sun. He
was not without company. Not far
away was always tc be found one or
the other of the ladies. They had
come t. admire the character of the
big New Yorker as it unfolded to their
view in those hours of pain In spite
of their differences of opinion, which
led to many lively joust between the
yourg girl and her patient, he bad
come to be regarded as one of the
family.
The wounds healed and with the
disappearance of their drain the old
strength came creeping back and
weakened muscles began to grow
strong again There was no excuse
for longer lingering even if one was
wanted. 1t was not With the return
of strength came desire to be y ith the
comrades ut the front. 1t was the
evening before the day set for Hoyt's
departure. He was to start early the
next morning. Mother, daughter and
guest sat in the great room, each
dGeading the parting. Through the
open windows came the perfume of
roses.
"Must you really go?" The black
eyes sought the blue in the twilight
81 must. You cannot imagine how
uneasy l have grown during the past
week"
There was shadowy reproach in
the beautiful face.
Don't misunderstood me; you
know how l feel your kindness to me,
a bit of wreckage thrown up by the
tide Of war at your door. l shall be
sorry to go, but duty calls
'Duty is, I believe, but another
name for inclination You want to
escape from u.s."
"Nellie."
81 don't mind, Mrs. Wilder. You
know better. That is enough. But
don't know how 1 shall ever repay the
debt | owe YOU"
at was cancelled before it was
made" was the quick reply, with a
bright SMILE
mo, you over state the case," the
words were accompanied by look of
affectionate gratitude.
"And when you are again at the
front you will meet other Of our
friends and you will strive to kill each
other. Oh, it is dreadful" broke in
Nellie.
cit is war; replied the mother
with sigh, as she abruptly left the
room.
"Why can't you remain quiet
Mr.. Hoyt? There are enough men
at the front. Mother will miss you
sorely."
"And your"
81" "-confusedly-"why, 1 shall,
certainly. shall miss you. Who
will have to look after and order
about with you gomez"
els that all ?"
What more would you have p
Had the lights been lit the crimson
tide which swept over the fair face
would have told different tale than
the saucy words.
81 want you to say you desire me to
remain"
"Gracious, what ails the man ?
Here l have been urging it for the
past week. Mamma wishes it as much
as I, but she will not say So"
Therefore her daughter to please
her undertakes the task of persua-
sion. Is that it ?"
"Well, isn't it good strategy to
weaken your enemy's forces. sir sol
dier ?'
But there was a tremor in the sweet
voice that belied the teasing words.
1t was caught by the young SOL
dier.
"What strategist we are becom-
ing" he said as he leaned over and
secured possession of the slender hand,
which remained still and quiet in his
grasp.
''Shall | stay and sacrifice honor p
II don't think that a fair question. y
"Shall 1 ?"
,"No, l should despise you if you
did," cried the spirited girl.
lou will not forget the Yankee
soldier?'
Il will never forget the Christian
gentleman who 50 gently soothed the
dying hours of my brother" and big
tear dropped on the broad palm en-
closing the little hand.
Nellie. my love, my darling, for
give e!' and dropping on one knee
by the side If the low chair Hoyt
gathered the slender form in his arms
The faded, blue blouse could have
told pretty tale had it been disposed
to disclose the secrets conf Fed to it by
sweet lips. But it kept the conf
dences placed in its care religiously
But there must have been good un
derstanding between the owner and
the one who sought its protection, for
as the tall soldier rode away the mex
morning there lay, close against hi.
heart, the medallion he had first seel
In the woods Of the Wilderness.
There were weary months of wait
ing before the GREAT war was over
Reward rame at last. While the las
armies of the CoDtederacy were layin,
down their arms, there was a quie
wedding in little Virginia church
one of the few left unimpaired il
beauty by wars rasages. where tall
soldierly looking man, in the uniform
/ If = colonel in The UniDn army, prom
ised to love and to cherish the be
witching bride, who il, turn proud,
promised TO love and obey.