Telegram-herald., 1890-05-30

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 rem naming graves followed by those
who had friends beneath the low, green
mounds.
But Elaine Russell was not with them;
no. Away from the gaze Of the curious,
In the corner OF the cemetery, stood
lovely marble shaft, and its surround
ings were carefully and artisrically kept.
BY this stone Miss Russell was kneel-
ing; her lips moved and a prayer went
up 70 Him who hath promised 70 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" IL read; that
was all.
It was enough, for Elaine knew tho
rest as she leaned her head against the
cold marble and shut her eyes.
man IN an old army coat spoke TO
the chaplain: "Over there in the cor
ner, did you say? shall find her thereP'
And when he came that way she
heard his step on tho tufted sward and
opened her eyes in a startled way.
beg pardon, ma am, he said, kindly.
drawing near: ''but I've a lett as was
given TO me to give TO you. I'd a sent it
by mail, ma'am, but he wanted it de-
livered by hand. Two come from Ala
bama, ma'am; tramped il all the way;
been sick a good deal, but Pm here at
last"
Elaine held out her hand for tho
worn, soiled envelope and murmured
Thank you" with white lips.
Then be lifted his ca p and was gone.
What could II 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
iny out, now, 50 she wouldn't read IL
until she went home.
I'm drcadfully tired" she said, as she
went upstairs IF I'm not down TO din
ner don't call me. believe shall lie
down awhile"
The dinner hour passed and there was
no stir in Miss Russcll's room. "She is
sleeping" they said; we'll not disturb
her" So Elaine Russell was not called.
But at eventidc they found her rest
ing peacefully with her head on the pill
low, and worn paper clasped tightly
in her cold fingers.
Gently disengaging Il, they read:
elaine, dearest one, ! an dying I will
soon cross tho tide-not OF Stone river,
but Of death-and be mustered out
When you read this you will have for
given me: viii havo found your love for
no as true and warm as OF yore. Ny
soul tells ne this, Elaine Meet mo in
Heaven. dearest, whore love abidcs and
differences never come. | will look for
You. Goodbye until then. Your own
Jack"
Thoro was smile on her face whom
thev found her. Doubtless she recog
nized her soldier lover as tho bright
far-ofT forever dawned upon her. and the
delight of The ccstatic meeting reflected
itself on her dead face
A few of tho memorial blossoms still
lay on Tho table They put them in hc'
cold hands and on her breast. then theJ
laid her down to rcst in tho sweet, So
cluded spot bY tho marble, With rs me
mortal wresths still about f..
And now Ned and Nell BeCkwith
grown older an1 wiser. come on Memo
rial Days and wreathe beautiful rose'
and lilies around tho stone.
The inscription reads q li-tlo difer
emily now. In memory ~ Jack an
r-r-.-- Al 4h0 ---.-- f-~s -rrf rn-