Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-05-29

then some of Jacks old comrades, with
barred heads, lay flowers on the graves
Of those with whom they had soldiered.
After that girls in white decorated
the remaining graves followed by those
who had friends beneath the low, green
mounds.
no. Away from the gaze Of the curious,
in the corner OF the cemetery, stood q
lovely marble shaft, and its surround
ings were carefully and artistically kept
By this stone Miss Russell was kneel-
ing; her lips moved and prayer went
up to Him who hath promised to dry the
mourner's tears.
Then she wreathed the flowers about
the stone and, with gentle caress.
touched the opening rosebuds framing
in the inscription.
''In memory of jack" it read; that
was all.
It was enough, for Elaine knew the
rest as she leaned her head against the
cold marble and shut her eyes.
A man in an old army coat spoke to
the chaplain: "Over there in the cor
ner. did you say? shall find her there?''
And when he came that way she
heard his step on the tufted sward and
opened her eyes in a startled way.
Beg pardon, ma'am," he said, kindly,
drawing near: 'but I've letter as was
given to me to give to you I'd a. sent 1t
by mail, ma'am, but he wanted it de-
Hvered by hand. I've come from Ala
bama, ma'am; tramped 1t all the way;
been sick a good deal, but Pm here ct
last"
Elaine held out her hand for tho
worn, soiled envelope and murmured
THANK you" with white lips.
Then he lifted his cap and was gone.
What could it be? Well, she wouldn't
read it there. The sight Of the uniform
had given her such a start-it had made
her nervous. And the people were pass
ing out, now, SO she wouldn't read 1t
until she went home.
''rm dreadfully tired" she said, as she
went upstairs. s'If I'm not down to din
ner don't call me. I believe shall lie
down awhile"
The dinner hour passed and there was
no stir in Miss Russell's room ''She Is
sleeping" they said; well not disturb
her." So Elaine Russell was not called.
But at eventide they found her rest
ing peacefully with her head on the Pill
low, and worn paper clasped tightly
In her cold fingers
Gently disengaging 1t, they read:
Elaine, dearest one, I am dying. I will
soon Cross the Hde-not of Stone river,
but of death-and be mustered out.
When you read this you will have for
given me; will have found your love for
me as true and warm as of yore. My
soul tells me this, Elaine. Meet me in
Heaven, dearest, where love abides and
differences never come. 1 will look for
you. Goodbye until then. Your own
Jack"
There was a smile on her face when
they found her. Doubtless she recog-
nized her soldier lover as the bright,
far-of forever dawned upon her, and the
delight of the ecstatic meeting reflected
itself on her dead face.
A few OF the memorial blossoms still
lay on the table. They put them In her
cold hands and on her breast; then they
laid her down to rest in the sweet, Sc
cluded spot by the marble, with its me-
mortal wreaths still about 1t.
And now Ned and Nell Beckwith,
grown older and wiser, come on Memo
rial Days and5wreathe beautiful roses
and lilies around the stone.
The inscription reads little differ
emily now: 'sIn memory Of Jack and
Elaine" And the young lips quiver
over the words and the young eyes I'LL
with tears. for they know now why Aunt
Elaine Remembered" so well on Me-
mortal Day. MASDA L. CRoCKER-
4 RErRraTrxe: -ssSat ,arn