San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-11-06


But just then two negroes came jog
ging along a byrcad in light cart, right
up to the spot, and Zeke, by the offer of
large reward if they brought the
wounded man in alive, easily induced
them to tote de Liulzun ossifer' for
such he represented Arthur to be) into
the town Constance seated herself in
the cart, and. taking her lovers power
less head in her lap, did her best to save
him from the shock Of the constant jolt
ing, while Zeke walked beside them.
All through that weary journey-ev-
cry moment of which seemed to the anx-
ious girl as long as an hour-Arthur
Fortescue lay i'll Il kind of stupor, appar-
emily quite unconscious Of the deafening
uproar that was now rending the very
sky. TFighting Joe Hooker" was at
tuckinS the left of the southern position
while Thomas assailed the right. and the
earth shaking thunder of the cannon was
now mingled with the caaseless crackle
Of countless rifles, while the deep chested
shouts OF the Fedcr'ls and the shrill yells
of the ConfedcTates. echoed ana re-echoed
- 80 -
from every cleft and Granny of the
mountain, s&ellcd the maddening din!
Bat long as their weary drive had
seemed, when every moment might
make ali the ditfcrC ice between life and
death, yet when they finally reached the
hospital the thought that in few min
utes she might hear the surgeons pro-
Eounce her lovers death sentence fell so
crusbinsly on Constance's heavy heart
that she almost wished the delay even
longer.
The battle having but recently begun,
| the doctors were not yet fully occupied,
and one of the Oldest of them came for
| ward to examine the wounded man,
| looking very grave as he heard that the
| wound had been inflicted by bursting
shell. Dilnly as if in a dream, she saw
| him approach, watched him draw back
the sufferers clothing and glance at the
wound-heard the one word Mortal
and fell to the ground in merciful I'M
| consciousness.
When she came to herself again she
saw that her lover had regained his
senses, and was gazing at her with a
deep, tender pity in his sunken eyes.
Am going to die. darling?" he asked
feebly.
| Constance tried in vain to speak, but
the dumb despair of her white, rigid face
was answer enough.
Let me call you mine just once, then,
at the LAST he pleaded, with a moment
airy glow on his haggard face. Send
for clergyman and let us be married
before die"
| Every detail of the scene that ensued
was stamped forever on the memory of
all who beheld it. The pale, delicate,
handsome features Of the young noble,
who had escaped death so often when
life was worthless to him, only to fall
just when the happiness of which he had
despaired was fairly within his reach at
last; the sad. sweet face of his beauti-
full bride, where the bitter grief of a low
| ing and bcreaved woman was chastened
and gloriiied by the sacred enthusiasm
of martyr; the good old clergyman
| with his snow white hair and kind, pity
ing face; the silent ring of spectators;
the wounded men behind, leaning out
| of their cots to watch this bridal of
| death, and, high over all, the surging
pillows OF battle smoke rolling like storm
clouds across the sky.
There was a lull in the uproar Just
| then, as if even the din of battle were
hpshing itself in the presence of that
supreme tragedy. Thomas first attack
upon Missionary Ridge had been re-
pulsed with heavy loss, and his men
were now forming again for a fresh
charge.
AS the gloomy ceremony came to an
end burly form darkened the door
way It was Dr. Scalpell, one of Con-
stances best friends and warmest adj
mirers, who had just learned what was
! Going on-a bluff, hearty, outspoken
| man. caring not a straw what he said or
to whom he said it, but rs skillful and
gentle in &c,iou as he was rough in
speech aud manner.
is that YOU, Scalpell?" asked the
wounded nau family.
Hello. are You able to speak," cried
The doctor, advancing. why. they
| told me you were mortally wounded"
DIR. Morton himself said so, rejoined
| Constance in hardly audible voice.
DR. Mortal, rs we call him-the veri-
est old croaker alive!' growled Scalpell.
Just looks at a man and says he's bound
to lie! Great Cesar! does any one think
that if the splinter of a shell had really
torn right through this mans chest close
to the heart, two good hours ago. he
would be alive and able to speak now?
I'll lay my lie that hurt wasn't made by
the shell at all, but only by piece of the
broken miniature case. Just let ME
| hn--. :, III - IL ill ....t,g,