Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1889-02-09
= 0ffsr Days.
By MAUD MEREDITH.

asked friend, one sultry day.
We had been old-time friends and
confdants, as the word Is under
stood among ladies, for yeats; but /
had never even guessed st the secret
of her life-the reason why she stood
to day fair and mild and sweet-so
utterly alone in sne worlt.
My friend glanced up at me quick
W, then turned her face away, while
the soft, red color surged over her
neck. / had not thought to wound
her. ePa,don me, DEAR" / said, "If
should not have asked you; but it
seemed to me that / might share
your trouble with you"
81 is only very little story" she
said, smiling sadly. II think one
might laugh at it, but-well, it has
been my story after all"
"You were not afraid of ridicule
from me, Janet ~ ] asked.
ssNot ridicule; but / thought you
would think bad been foolish per-
haps. When / was ch'id. Almost
as far back as / can remember, | had
a small, boyish sweetheart, who was
always my cavalier and defender. AS
we grew older together the friend
ship deepened, and soon after the
war broke out he enlisted. At that
slime there had been no definite prom
Use between US, yet think we both
felt that our future lay together. In
fact, I had never thought ofany 9TH
er possibility, and do not toink LID
cieu had. There were stirring times
when the new recruits were hurried
rapidly to the front. On the even
ing before the departure of the COM
panv, Lucien came up TO speod the
time with me.
"'I have something very serious
to say to you, to-night;' he said to
me, in a low tone, when he noticed
my father add mo;her p epa"ing to
retire. Just then team drove up
with a clash and rattle, and voice
called:
/" Fall inl Lucien Herald, fall in!'
eve 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, Il will write it ALL my brave
boy was gone, and the signing ofthe
wind through the shade trees drown
ed the rumble of the departing
wheels, now far down the dusty road.
"tThey are to meet at Montville
tonight" my father said, turning
from the door, and the regiment will
leave there to morrow afternoon. /
have to GO there tomorrow to de-
posit some money; if you want to
ride out with me, Janet, and take a
look at the boys, you may go along
"Montville was the county seat,
situated 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 agony
of regret, anticipation and impa-
thence suffered as we rode along /
can never express.
"The money deposited in the hank
we set out for the camp After hours
of inquiry and patient waiting, we
learned that Lucien Herold had gone
home on leave of absence that morn
ing, and was not expected back I'M
Til time for the train to leave. /
crept away, stunned and disappoint-
ed. At the station we waited pa
tiently 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
+ soood Nv deorast and then hounded