Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-08

throat, when he slowly revived.
The Federal now made an oxaminn-
tion OF tho others wound. He had been
struck on the breast by n fragment Of
she'll, which inflicted terrible wound.
"It's oil over with me, think, the
wounded man said in weak voice.
IL am afraid you are very seriously
hurt, said the other. 81 will go for an
ambulance, for you should have n sur
geon at once. and You are not likely to
lie found in so secluded spot as this. "
"I-I think know your voice." said
the Confederate, looking up into the
others face with an expression Of recog-
nitIon in bis eyes, and dlTegarding the
proposal 10 have an ambulance brought.
Isn't vour name Sutherlyn 2"
"Yes" said the Unionist, surprised,
"but do not remember ever having
seen You before"
"You scarcely saw me. said the Con
foderate with faint smile, Gas II was in
the nighttime when we met for the first,
aud until to-day the last time. bly,
name is Pierson--Captain Pierson, Of
General Blank's staff, and l am sure
you are"
But here q sudden rush Of blood from
Nals lips prevented further utterance.
You must be gotten 20 the hospital" "
said Sutherlyn, greatly alarmed, and
anxious 10 save the life Of the man who
had 80 generously befriended him in the
hour when friend was 70 much needed.
But Val shook his head.
" 1t is useless" he said, and when the
flow Of blood had ceased he continued {:
mo surgeon can do me any good
now. AS the soldier expresses it, Il am
done for / don't want YOU 10 leave me,
for ia all probability would be dend be-
fore YOU could get back" and like the
"Soldier Of the Legion be wanted him
10 take IL message and token to some
distant friends of his.
"Iou ought not TO talk said Suther-
lvn. with IA suspicious moisture about
his eyes. He was touched by Val's sad
words and tho hopelessness Il his case,
for he saw that he had very short while
10 live. lie was anxious to save his life,
not alone because OF his indebteuess TO
him. though this was the strongest feel
ing, bat he knew bow Helen loved him,
and for her sake he wished 10 get BIN to
the hospital and make an effort 10 restore
him 70 her. But be realized the tr1th
of Walls words in regard to his case, and
with D heavy heart he set about making
lis position more comfortable.
"1 think Won are right Captain Pier
fon. ~ he SAID in choking voice. as be
took OF bis own coat and placed ID under
No.s bead He then gave him some
moro brandy. and at Nal's request seated
himself by his side b. listen 10 his last
messages for loved ones at home.
"You are only stranger TO me, CO.
lionel Suthorlyn," said Val in a faint
voice. and YOU are, too, a soldier il
tho army with which We hnve been 90
long battling, but y0ur conduct towards
mt to-day shows that can trust you 70
deliver the messages I shall give you
the last words OF a dying man.
Nothing but death shall prevent my
fulfilling your latest wishes, " said Suth-
crlyn solemnly, when Val had been
forced to stop from utter weakness.
"Tlonk Won, " Nnl said, and he thcn
proceeded to deliver his messages, but
he WIS often forced to stop 10y the
hcmorThages, which, as be continued,
increased III frequency and volume, each
leaving him fainter and weaker than be-
fore.
"Tell mother that l received my
death. wound with my face to the foe and
my blood hot with the fire of battle.
Tel her, too, not 10 mourn for me. for
she still has Helen, who has always
been AS a daughter 20 her, and viii COM
tort her last days. Tell Helen goOd-by
for me, and, oh, SHtherlyn, will You
not tell her to love and cherish my
mother for my sake--for tho sake Of
Val, her lifelong friend ?
Colonel Suthcrlyn, | know OF the
mutual lovo existing between you and
Helen, and # you live through this
dreadful war, as 1 pray you may, you
will 90 back 90 MeadOwdene and mako
her YOURS forever. You are brave and
generous. worthy Of Der, | think, though
no uobler woman lives. As last request,
N the name Of the woman yon love, /
ask you to care for my poor mother. /
am her only child only hope-and
now 1 will be gone. You viii become
dear to her through Helen, and you can
domuch 30 make her forget the sad past.
VIII you not promise me
His concluding words were made al
most unintellgible by the crimson tor
rent that rushed from his lips.
&" In the presence of death, and IN the
name Of the woman | love, | swear that
/ will try to be "A son TO her, to fill your
place So nearly as | cam said Suther-
lyn with the greatest solcmnity. and hold
ing Walls hand III both his own
"You have sworn, said Val, "and |
feel sure You will never break your
oath "
The flow of blood had ceased and be
Law with his eyes closed, while his breath
camo III labored gasps. After few mo-
monts he slowly opened bis eyes.
81 nm going fast now my breathing
is almost gone. he SAID IN voice weak
or than ever before. Il can die easier,
.Sutheryn, if can rid my mind OF a sor-
rowful but not shameful secret-a Sc
cret that | have carried in my heart Tor
years and had intended 10 carry to my
grave with me. But | feel that can
not die without making it known to you,
and YOU must tell Helen. Some day
when you and Helen are happily united
/ want You to tell her that for years /
had loved her with deeper, stronger,
more ardent love than man usually has
for woman. 1 never knew whether she
cared for me or not She always treat
ed me Us brother and l could never
discover q different love. / always
thought her too young for me to try to
win her heart, 80 l went to the army
and mado no sign, but when | came
home after two years absence she had
become 80 matured and womanly that /
determined TO know whether or not my
love was returned.
Once more Val was forced to stop 10y
the dreadful flow Of blood from his Alps,
and when il had ceased no was so weak
THAI it was only with the greatest dliii'
Guilty that he could proceed.