The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-05-30

then somc of .Iacll's old comrades, will,
barred heads. lay flowers on tho graves
OF those with whom they had so!liersd.
After that girls in whit, decorated
tho remaining graves followed by those
who had friends beneath tho low, green
mounds.
But Elaine Russell was not with them;
no. Away from the gaze Of tho curious,
in the corner of tho cemetery, stood a
lovely marble shaft. and it,, surround
inga were carefully and arlis;ically kept.
l;y this stone Miss Russell vas l.ncrl-
ing; her lips moved and q prayer went
UP to Him who hath promised TO dry tho
'.inu.acr';; tears.
Then she wrcathcd the flowers about
tho stone and, with gentle carcss,
touched tho opening roscnuus framing
in the inscription.
I'm men,cry Of jack" it read; that
VIZ, all.
1t was enough, for Elaine knew the
rest as she leaned her head against tho
cold marble and shut her eyes.
n man in an old army coat spoke to
the c!iaplain: "Ovcr there in the cor
ncr, did you say? shall find her thcre?"
AID when he came that way she
heard his step on the tuftcd sward and
opened her eyes in startled way.
beg pardon, ma'a,n,' he said, kindly,
drawing near: "but Two letter as was
given to rnc to give to you. Id a. sent it
by mail, na'arl, but he wanted it de-
livcrctl by hand. I've como from Ala
bar,a, ma'am; tramped it all tho way;
been sick q good deal, but I'm horc at
last"
Elaine held out her hand Tor the
worn, soilcd envelope and murmured
''IhaIl1 YOU with whitc lips.
Then he lifted his cap and was gone.
What could 1t be? Well, sho wouldn't
read itthcrc. Tho sight of the uniform
had given her such start-it had made
hcr nervous. And tho people were pass
ing out, now, SO sho wouldn't read it
until she went home.
Tin drcadfully tired" she said, as she
went upstairs. "lf I'm not down to din.
nor don't call me. believe 1 shall lie
down awhile"
Tho dinner hour passed and thero was
no stir in Miss Russcll's room. "Sho IL
sleeping" they said; "wc'll not disturb
her." So Elaine Russell was not callctl.
but at cvcntide they found her rest
Ing peacefully with hcr head on tho pill
low, and worn paper clasped tightly
in hcr cold fingers.
Gently disengaging it, they read:
''Elainc, dearest one, am dying. I will
soon cross tho tidc-not of Stone river,
but of dcath-and be mustered out )
When you read this you will have for
given mo; will have found your love for
me as truo and warm Us Of yorc. NV
soul tells mo this. Elaine. Meet mo in
Heaven. dearest, where love abidcs and
differences never come. will look for
YOU. Goodbye until thcn. Your own
jack"
There was q smile on her faco when
they found her. Doubtless shc recog-
nizcd her soldier lover as tho bright,
far-off forever dawncd upon her, and tho
delight Of tho ccstatic meeting reflected
itself on her dead face.
a few Of tho memorial blossoms still
lay on tho table. They put them in her
cold hands and on her breast; then they
laid her down to rest in tho sweet, sc.
clrdcd spot by tho marble, with its me-
mortal wreaths still about it.
And now Ned and Nell l3cckwith,
grown older and wiser. como on Mono.
rial Days and wrcathc beautiful roses
and lilies around the stone.
Tho inscription reads d little differ.
emily NOW: 'In memory of Jack and
Elaine And the young lips CULVER
over the words and tho young eyes fill
with tears, for they know now why Aunt
Elaine Remembered SO we'll on Me-
mortal Day. ..'..iSDA l.. CIsOc1ER.
a RsvREAr1Sa DIslos1r1os-"set 'em