Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-06-12

they began TO spread about
the little village. and the citizens be-
stirred themselves TO do the best they
could under the circumstances. With.
out preparation or concert, their efforts
were not very systematic. but they
were hearty. The groceries, restaur.
ants and hotels were taxed to their ut
most. Raymond was walking through
the little town, looking for the chance
Of breakfast, but not seeing how he
could exactly press himself upon these
citizens, who already seemed. much
overcrowdcd.
AS he was passing a modest cottage
on side street middle-agcd lady,
standing in the yard, and holding q
child by the hand, addressed him:
"Soldier!"
He turned and brought his hand Ia
the visor OF his cap as though it was q
superior officer, instead of superior
being, he saluted.
''Did you speak, ma'am ?"
"Have you had breakfast" she said.
He said that he had not yet had that
pleasure.
"Come in, them" she returned.
"Ours is just ready"
He looked at his hands and his
clothes with some anxiety 1t was
three years since he had eaten a really
civilized meal, and his ambition now
did not extend beyond a slice of bread
and meat. Perceiving the kindness OF
the intention, however, he acce pied
the invitation.
Opposite him at the table sat q
young lady dressed in black, whom the
hostess spoke of, in a half-introduc-
ton, as her niece. His own name was
not asked. There was something in
the air and manner OF this young lady,
even more than in her dress, sug-
costing some recent great sorrow.
She did not hold herself out as q
wretched being whose only refuge is
the grave. She was not gloomy or
woe-begone. She listened politely to
the conversation, taking little part,
except now and then TO ask question,
which finally brought the young man
to speak something of his exp erience s.
She was attentive, while she was some
what thoughtful and sad. AS he went
on he noticed that her interest Deep
ened, and once, as he looked up, he was
surprised and little startled at the in
tenseness of her look. When he spoke OF
Chickamauga her pallor deepened SO
visibly that her aunt asked suddenly If
she were i'll. She regained her COM
posure in a moment, and said she was
quite well. Still her voice was very
low, with u slight tremor ia it, as she
asked the number of his regiment, and
she turned white us he gave it,
The next question came slowly. She
struggled hard to control her voice,
which vibrated painfully, and sank al
most TO u whisper:
''Did you know-Fred Raymond, of
Company B?"
1t was his turn now TO be astonishod.
Who was this who asked so unimport.
ant question with such tragic air,
and who waited the answer as though
life or death might hinge upon ite
The aunt looked from the one to the
other in open-mouthed wonder.
II am Fred Raymond" he faltered.
But before he had said it she saw
the answer in his face, and slipped Ia
the floor.
He held her head while the aunt ran
for the smellingsalts. 1t was not tho
right thing to do in case of fainting,
but few people ever do treat such a
case properly. He had never, in all
his life, had a young lady's head on his
arm, and was awkward and excited.
He thought rapidly, but could not I'M
derstand the situation. He remem-
bered his correspondent, and, curious
ly enough, at this moment the name
came like a flash. But this was not
the town where she lived, and this
was not the young girl he had pict-
ured.
"Who is this young ladyp" he asked.
MY niece, Miss Meline."
"Melinep Lilliep" he gasped.
"1n the name of WONDER" said the
aunt, "what does all this meanp Were
you acquainted with herp"
"Yes-no--I believe So" he an
swcred, rather obscurely. II will ex-
plain by and by"
Miss Meline soon recovered, in spite
of the unphysiological treatment. She
looked at her aunt to see whether any
further revelation had taken place.
Her embarrassment was extreme, and
the palor in her cheeks gave way to
bright crimson.
II was sick" she apologized, for
getting that she had once denied it.
He was also agitated, and exceed
ingly doubtful Us to what he ought to
do or say. She was about to leave the
room with her aunt, when he spoke.
miss Meline"-and she saw that
the secret was out don't know at
all what to say. l don't know any
thing at all about the customs of So
ciety. l have never had any thing to
do with young ladies in my life except
my correspondence with you. My &C
cident at Chickamauga affected my
brain for long time, SO that l could
not remember. Perhaps now l have
gone quite crazy. 1t is too absurd,
know, but l can not go now without
saying more-if you will hear it."
He paused moment, but she did
forbid it, and he went on:
81 do not know how to explain it.
Either from the eff ect of that shell, or
form the weakness and half-starvation
hat followed, l was never able to re-
your name; though you don't
know how hard | tried to think, and
how much l should have liked to hear
from you again. All this time