Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-10

'SHnllH, Wdnt man 10 no |
n hero's work We can't hold |
out much longer at this rate.
Their numbers have increased. We !
have one chance and only one. If
someone could get across to K and
tell of our plight, they might send us
reinforcements, and save us. Their
strength is just augmented. To-mor-
row will be too late. But who dare
! take the message and the risk of such
journey"
"Send mer, sir, the soldier said
| quietly and without moments hest
tation, as If it were message into the
mess-room he proposed taking in
stead of ride for miles across the
country insested by the rebels, and
some portions of it swept by their
guns.
The Major hesitated and looked at
him.
You will do it, Smith if man can
do it, | believe. You can ride over
anything that | know o---cross-coun-
try at home? All, yes-but | don't
disguise the danger of this. If you
get there the chances are "A hundred
to one of your returning alive Who
ever undertakes this must do it volun-
tarily."
Il volunteer, sir.
Dorothy's dark eyes glanced up with
an unconscious agony of appeal in
their depths, She did not speak, but
her breath came quick and short, and
the soldier turned from that eloquent
look.
If get to K, sir, | care moth
ing for the rest, he said in firm
steady voice,
Il will write the note and meet you
here again." the major said, and hur-
ried of.
You will go?'
Dorothy spoke quietly, but her eyes
said what her lips could not frame.
Mould YOU have me less brave than
woman-yourself?' was his only
reply
She drew deep quivering sigh.
don't start till ! get back she
said. and hurried on her rounds.
He was Just on the point of leaving
the barrack-yard when she returned,
breathless, and if possible palcr than
before.
"God speed you" she said solemnly,
placing her little hand for one instant
in his. IL will pray for your safe re-
! turn; we can i'll afford TO lose such
men as you
| He raised the little hand to his lips,
then pressed it TO his heart-that was
all; just that mute farewell, and then
{ he was gone--to ride in the very teeth
/ of death, with the lives of all his COM
l rades probably hanging upon his own.
l With anguished eyes the girl lifted
? her face and heart for one moment in
silent, earnest prayer, then she turned
= TO her work, and compelled herself to
= be absorbed in it; and the time went
: on, each moment fraught with anxious
r fear and dread, and faint half-impossi-
r BILE hope.
The time went on until a weight like
/ nothing Dorothy had ever known be-
4 fore crushed down her brave young
/ heart. She went restlessly out into
e the veranda TO listen and watch and
? she saw Major Harvey standing there
looking graver than his wont.
t Major Harvey the girl said gasp
= ingly, lido you think there is any
chance now? Would not Smith have
been back before this if"
9 Yes fear so. 1t was last chance
/ and our only one. He may have got
e across, however, even if he failed to
get back. Keep up heart, Miss Doro-
/ thy! things cannot get much worse
But there was little cheerfulness in
: the attempt TO cheer.
5 A look came into the lovely dark
r eyes which the major could not under
5 stand.
"You think he-Smith-is certainly
4 killed."
g Il fear so-we cannot tell; one more
brave life gone-that is all, and our
own turn may come at any moment"
"Hark! What is that - what is
that?l the girl bounded forward.
3 A rush, stir, cheer raised long
| and loud, an eager little crowd collect
ing, which opened, however, to let
Dorothy's slender figure speed in and
up to its central fgure-a tall man
alighting from horse and giving "a
( strained crumpled paper into Major
! Harvey's eager hand, who read it as he
: stood there, and then cried aloud.
, "lf we can keep up for two more
days, my friends, we shall be saved"
| Then the cheer broke out again, but
as it rose, Smith just sank down at his
| officers feet, and Dorothy's practiced
eye saw the thin red stream filtering
: through the torn uniform.
Calm and helpful, Dorothy Beau
champ sood beside the surgeon as she
had stood beside many Il wounded
| man, for she was DR.. Cars right hand
| in his labOrious work.
With no trace Of agitation save the
Z intense pressure of the earnest lips.
she handed the surgeon his appliances,
and waited for his verdict as he ex-
amined Smiths wound.
"Not fatal" be said brightly. I'VE
shall have him about again in very