The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-05-16
HIS LAST WISH.

Frank Lincoln, both officers In the
Twelfth Infantry, and stationed in the
spring of 1877, at Fort -.
Wonderfully alike were these young
men in form and features, the coloring g
and expression, however, rendering
them so very dissimilar that l have
heard very frequently the remark: II
never saw persons so much alike and,
at the same time, SO very different
from each other in my life.'
Yet so it was. Paul, with his raven
locks and dark, almost black eyes-so
earnest, grave, and almost melancholy
in expression-sometime grew merry,
and then the likeness to the blue-eyed,
auburn-haired, frank, jovial cousin
was, as l have said, wonderful. Or
when Frank grew earnest and thought
ful-times which came oftener after a
while, and lasted longer-then we
would almost think that, by some
magic power, Paul was with US, his
dark eyes grown blue, his hair chang
ed to a brighter hue. Their voices
were the same. /, knowing them so
long and well, never could tell which
was speaking unless l saw the one or l
heard a laugh Then / knew well
enough. Paul often with a gentle
smile | saw, but never heard him
laugh right out. But there was one
Who said she could distinguish their
voices.
There was a tone in one never
found in the other"
knew what she meant and thought
she was sure of. The time came when
II, l. Il %l.o
mistake she had made.
1t is well known by everyone who
has spent any time at those far-off
forts, with what pleasure the arrival
of any lady is hailed; and when she
proves to be young and beautiful, you
may imagine she is received with en-
thusiaSm.
Ada Rcyburn, the sister of our col
onel, was one of the most beautiful
girls | have ever seen. Tall and slen-
der, yet well-rounded and graceful in
form, features delicate and classical in
their beauty; with a complexion so
fair and transparent that you could
trace the blue veins in their course on
the temples and brow. About the
checks was the soft delicate blush of
the sea-shell; her dark brown hair
worn in heavy braids. and browning
told were grey. but varied with their
emotion, seeming at times the deepest
blue, again quite black, shaded by
lashes long and dark; beautiful dreamy
eyes were hers, that seldom or ever
flashed, always gentle and loving in
their glances.
"Madonna-like," and 'spirituelle,"
they called her; and every officer, un-
married or unpledged, was in love with
her-ready to die for her-within five
days after her arrival. All but one
Lieutenant Atridge, the gayest fun
loving fellow of our number-who, in
answer to my question, "How is it you
have not gone the way of all the rest?
burn?" replied:
admire Miss Rcyburn, l do, most
truly. l could spend hours gazing on
such beauty. But | would never dream
of wooing her, nor opening the door
of Heart or home, and trying to win
her entrance. No, no. She seems
something too much for each. Yes,
truly too spirituelle. Give me some
thing more material; somebody l
should not fear to ask to brave the path
of life with me; little body that can
flash up aud snap. and be coaxed and
caressed back to smiles. Not a fair
saint. Something like myself of the
earth bit. And | don't care if her
nose is a little retrouSse, and her skin
not so fair or so clear. All, you re-
ha, hot ,IS un,.ft,
"A creature not too bright or good
For human natures daily food.
That's the sort of girl l want. But
here comes Frank. Poor fellow! he's
clean gone. And do you know l be-
lieve he will be the lucky one? All,
he is not coming here just now. I'm
glad of it. want to have you few
moments longer to myself, and con-
tinue this theme. Do you think the
love they both, these cousins, bear her,
Mis-. Reyburn, will result in their con-
tinued friendship? In word, do you
| not believe the success of one will be
death to the other? You know hereto
fore they have loved each other with
more than brotherly love, l may say.
Now will it stand this test?"
.'Yes-that is, | believe Frank will
not be the lucky one, and, if not, that
he will bid Paul Godspeed and 60 his
way, still loving" i was answering,
when the merry officer interrupted me,
saying:
"But, bless you, dear madam, you
are altogether wrong. She loves Frank.
if anyone. She always calls for him
or sends to him. Everyone with half
an eve can see she likes to have him
with her. Now, how will Paul stand
it?n
Il cannot answer that. In the first
place. do not know. And, besides,
I'm sure it will not be as you say A
woman without even half eve can
feel and know by the perfect freedom
of Miss Reyburn's manner to Frank