The National tribune., 1890-11-20

very prayely bestowed upon them the correct
military salute SIS he rode by. Quite sedately
they bowed low in return-that is, the mother
and elder sister. Not 80. however, with Kate.
The moment she recognized Walter she was
enraptured.
"0h, mamma, there is Walter our Walter!"
she exclaimed. " How handsome, how noble
And be is a Colonel! See the soldiers waving
at us; the dear, ragged heroes! Mother, Made
line are your hearts stoneP j could embrace
the very men who march behind him. Look
at that wicked scar on his facet All along the
line they are waving at him. See, mother
the girl shrieked Ia her wild excitement, while
she grasped her parents arm; see mother
the President is waving at your sou, our
brother aud YOU dumb as oystersi IL / were
only man; If / could but share this day with
him-be ono OF that proud army as no IS, could
be content the balance Of my life. Oh, Walter,
brother!" and snatching lace wrap from her
shoulders, she waved it vigorously long after
he had passed.
Once only, when Walter looked back and saw
her still waving he returned the salute. Ris-
ing in his stirrups he turned toward her, waved
his handkerchief alOft, aud then passed on his
WAY.
That evening after returning 10 camp, he
fully expected n visit At least from Kate, and
80 far was not disappointed. The meeting be-
tween brother and sister was expressive Of
warmth and pathos, the girl especially being
quite impulsive. hut ere long she became tran
gull enough, aud then began plying her brother
with some rather knotiy questions
i know mamma ana sister are as proud Of
you as they can be- and Just dying 10 embrace
you" she said in reply 20 aquestion from Wal
ter, "bnt ] believe mamma would die be-
fore bending, and Madeline Well, you
know; Simon says thumbs up and up they
90. Now tell me about her, brother"
"About whom, Kste2"
"Your wife"
al have not much tell, sister NINE" he re-
piled wearily. "she Is AZ her little cottage
where left her, with my baby boy waiting for
my return"
"And you are going to herr" was asked eau
tiously.
Certainly, soon as my regiment Is disbanded.
i Ehall not be a craven now, Kate after four
years Of strife. Just as j have labored to do
what was becoming rs a soldier, shall hence
forth endeavor TO do as becomes a husband"
" You have correspondent" she asked again,
in the same guarded tone.
After a manner, yes" he replied, smiling
rather awkwardly. "The fact is, Mary has
been doing her letter writing by proxy, as il
were, pressing into service certain lady school
teachers who have boarded with her; and / tell
you what Kate, the letters would be downright
interesting by spells; so much 30 that would
become curious aud even excited little as time
would come for new deal-I beg pardon-for
@ new schOOl-ma'am TO take the helm"
" How often have these changes taken placer"
asked Kate, whose eyes betrayed the mirth her
other features were trying to suppress.
"As mauy as half dozen times / should
Judge; but the last one seems 10 hang fire
longer than usual Perhaps she is waiting to
see what sort Of an animal am; at any rate,
she writes a beautiful letter"
"Of course in your replies you would not
write any nonsense between linesp" asked
Kate in a manner that implied Of course you
would"
~ have been very prudent" said Walter
caBdidly.
do you think It would be SO very improper
to show me just one Of them, Walter dear2"
asked Kate.
Walter took dellcately perfumed missIve
from his pocket and handed IL % Kate, with
the remark that il was the last one he had re-
ceivcd.
The sister perused the contents from begin
ming 10 end, evidently much interested but re-
turned il 10 Walter without comment
What do you think Of itY" the Colonel
asked csTClessly.
IF ] were your wife," replied Kate with
/ dignity and animation, g should dispose Of
that school -ma'am before your return, that's all.
! Write 70 me after you get home; / must 20
1 now. Good by
/ A fortnight after the parade, on a charming
] lovely, Col. Gu.lsont cautiously picked his way
mp the tcrraced walk 10 the cottage in which
! he had left bis bride four years ago. All his
courage seemed 10 be leaving him now that
/ THIS long anticipated dome tic trial was come.
] The hero Of many battles who lOathed the very
scmblance Of fear, became quite nervous and
1 agltated as he contemplated the quiet meeting
soon 10 be. lie scorued himself Tor his treach-
cry as he thought how easy yet 20 avoid all
] this. Never for n moment during his long
/ absence bad he doubted the c0nstancy Of his
wife, yet now, upon his return he was wayer-
! ing hesitatlnR. even contemplating flight.
] MophistOphclcs again smiling, Sinking, tap.
ping him familiarity on the shoulder with one
] hand, and gracefully waving the other alOft,
while whispering into has ready ears the en-
chanting song, an the world is at your feet
4 with youth, distinction; wealth you have only
10 turn aud follow me-" Walters heart was
beating like pheasants wing; his brain was
q whirling chaos yet strangely enough he kept
on up the walk, never hating for a second tin
be reached the house. Passing q window he
could not resist the temptation 10 cautiously
turn the Stats and peep In. There in plancst
Wow sat the ancient negTess faithful TO her new
mistress, rocking gently and grooming to herself;
next was the boy, beautiful child. healthy and
clean and robust, rompng with d large English
bulldog which was evidently the house guard OF
that peaceful circle. How the proud mans heart
knows. he could barely trace tho outlines OF
the ehilds mother, or the school-teacher he
knew not which, who occupied a shaded corner
Of the room, and being thus thwarted knock ed
At the door.
Instantly all was commotlon within; a deem
bass growl from the dog showed the intruder
where he might expect an enemy Was IL wo.
mans instinct that drove fear from that faith.
full colored home guard Rs she hastily arose
aud hobblod 10 the door-that caused the mis-.
tress TO sternly bid the dog DO DOWN.
"Oh, de good Lawd bress as, here am d.
msssa soer home at las |" was the first greet.
ing. After hurried clasp Of the ebony hand
Walter sprang past Aunty to the door Of the
room he sought, only to stop short at the TIRES
hold.
The dog was Submissive but ready for any
emergency; the frightened child was clinginp
10 the skirts Of his mother while the mother
and wife stood like startled fawn, scarcely
moving but 10 breathe
All me, what picture was thisl Tall a,
when they parted 10 be sure, and royal as q
queen; ROBBED as became a lady with perfect
taste and 1T; with that great mass Of auburn
hair artlstlcally arranged 10 shade a face now
divine in its exalted beauty; the same large
limpid blue eyes Of old, but beaming with in
telliRence and excitement; n face az clear o
{ blemish as an infants beautiful in Its rich col
oriug; mouth that was still large-it could
not grow less-whence all that was lowly hat
been carefully ironed out, leaving il perfect in
its outlines.
Thus stood before the bewildered truRnt /
woman who from motives OF pure love for ia,
one man absent had added grace 10 beauty b,
careful culture; beauty Of intellect 10 that o