The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-02-27

she would like to have come to her2 But
she said no; the ladies of the regiment were
very kind-it was enough. The Colonel
urged il with like result, and then chanc-
ing 10 find the dying man alone one day he
said: Is there nothing ] can do for you,
Dupont2 Is there not some commission
You would like TO give me?n At the instant
his wife returned TO the room and he whis-
pered Nothing, Colonel; only take care of
her. / leave her in your charge"
The next day was the Sabbath, and an
hour before the sun set the flag at halfmast
told the sorrowiul story that Capt Dupont
was no more.
When ihat saddest Of all sad ceremonies
q soldiers funeral-was over, Col. Carver
took the young widow to his own home.
Here she was treated with the tenderest
consideration, but now that all necessity for
exertion WIS gone she sank into a melan-
choly from which nothing could rouse her.
Every reminder Of her dead husband brought
on fit Of weeping that seemed to tear the
slender frame to pieces.
THE SIGHT OF HIS COMPANY,
the sound of the bugle every one of the neces-
sary accompaniments Of garrison life, spoke
only Of hiin. and at last the Surgeon, fearing
for her reason, advised that she be sent far
away from every reminder of the past Moth
Ing was known Of her history save that sho
came from the North, and. as she received few
letters, was supposed TO be alone in the world.
Gently the Doctor led her 10 speak of her
past life, and by adroit questioning learned
that her nearest relative was in Buffalo.
To this lady be wrote a statement Of the case,
and the necessity that Mrs. Dupont should have
change Of scene. In due time a prim little
missive came in answer signed " Patience SIN
clair offering her niece a home, and urging
that she come at once.
The Doctor was well pleased with the sue
cess Of his plan, and with characteristic energy
set about removing the other difficulties in the
way. Thus it happened that before the bro
ken-hearted widow realized the state of the
case, she was under a careful escort on her way
10 the North.
AS was anticipated, the change proved most
beneficial. ard when. a few months later. her
little son was born, she took him rs legacy
from the husband whose form she had seen
laid beneath the cedars. aud lived her life again
in his. AHd SO the months sped into years.
The little Guy, who at the first had not
seemed strong and needed much care, had de-
velOPed into a sturdy youngster quite able to
fight his own battles. To an outsider his
mother seemed his abiect slave, hnmoring his
every whim and dancing attendance upon him
night anG day; but 10 closer observer, his de-
votion to her was equally remarkable, and
her the slightest word was law.
Col. Carver had not forgotten bis promise to
look after the young widow. and on one occa-
sion bad invited her 10 bring the child and
make his family visit; but she shrank from
seeing again the places which recalled the hap
pest and tie saddest days of her life, and the
invitation was not repeated.
Among her choicest treasures she kept the
sword and shoulder-stTaps of her dead husband.
-" for Guys sake" she said,-but she could
never bring herself TO look az them. and now
IL seemed as II her brief army experience was
gradually fading from her life. Four short
months a wife aud now her youth all gone
nothing to live for bnt GUY" This was her
constant cry to herself, and she believed it all.
II.
Like all American cities. Buffalo has its old
and new quarter. The part once so fashionable
is practically deserted as a residence portion,
and the new houses. which partake or the an
giles and pointed roofs and towers Of the past 10
years, are reaching out farther and farther into
the country. But some OF the old-time cozy
houses sill stand in close proximity to the
newer shops and business blocks, and arc cIung
10 10y conservative people who dread change of
any kind-who love the shadows Of the past
and shnd3er at each encFOachment on their
privacy.
In one Of these cottages. half-hidden by vines,
nAA Al Ll4G AAtlAbA q Ri nlA-tA1A4DAGI garden
whose larkspufs and pretty nights and sun
flowers stood in stiff rows. aud verbenas and
pOrtuiaca spread in riotOus pF0iusOn dwcit
Miss Patience Sinclair, spinster. There too,
had dwelt generations Of SiBclaiTs before her;
from thence both father and mother bad been
buried, and numerous family Of brothers aud
sisters departed, some to their long home and
some 70 begin life afresh in other localities, till
at last Miss Patience alone was left As has
been said. trade had encroached upon her on all
sides; Spectators had offered her, from time 10
time. EraGualiy-incTeasilg price for her little
garden and considered il a grievance that she
stood obstinately in the path Of improvement;
but she shook her head s9semniy, and said
Not Whilo I live, gentlemen time enough
70 pull down my cottage when ] need it no
longer" Gradually the years grew int a
narrow rggtine Of minor duties and the old
fashioned garden became dcarer with each sue
ceedIng season. But for all that her heart
sometimes ached for human sympathy, and
when she learned that a niece whom she
scarcely knew had suddenly been left a widow
ID the Gar. far West, and was, as she firmly be-
IieEed, in hourly danger Of being eaten by
biO0d-thirsty savages. it seemed clear inter
position Of Providence IN her behalf. and she
lost no time In Offering home 10 her sisters
child. Aud thus il happened that
KATHERINE DUPONT
was duly installed in her aunt'g home. pctted
and scolded by tHEns, and, IL not happy. az
least content When little Guy came 10 en-
lEen The house with his pretty baby ways the
old aunt vied with the young mother in wOr-
ship at bis shrine. Never was baby 30 wonder
ful in every respect, aud IL even Mrs. Dupont
was tempted beyond the shelter Of the little
garden il was that the outside world might
catch q glimpse Of the bright blue eyes and
sunny cgTs which were becoming more aud
more her delight.
The day bad been hot and sultry, and Guy.
who Was n0~ three or four years Of age had
drawn bis mother into the garden, aud was
laughing 10 R!ee as he attempted 10 catch the
ball she toes into lis lap. Now il fell short and
be would spring forward 10 reach it; or again il
would 20 t@yOld him, aud the golden head
glanced hilAeT and thither a. the chubby hands
searched fDr 10 among tie flowers In the
midst Ot iuc play Katherine felt rather than
Eaw That some one was watching them over the
fence, and, Hith feeling Of annoyance, she
drew Coy farther back among the vines But
the game was somehow spoiled aud she wag
not sDfTy UiIel q few moments later their lit
tle maid came with message that some one
wished ~ s-g her.
Who is "a, Nay?" shc asked.
don't know, maa.n that's all Hiss Pa
thence told He." was tie reply.
Taking her little boy by tile band. Katherine
went toward the house, little surprised, as
she approached, % hear mans voice in con
FersatlOH with her aunt When she had fully
entered iIe ro0A her heart stood still and Sic
graspcd "a clair for SUPPORT The man tybo