Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-06-15

IlLe1, WITH su1itc OF triumph even IA
that moment If agony, tns fragments Of
ler own miniature.
But IN proposing % carry Der lover as
far as the town with Zekes help the
heroic girl had oyerrated her own
strength, which the saperhuTnsn exeE-
tions u the past day and night had al
ready strained beyond endurance. For
a time she bore up molly, spurred on by
the thought that her lovers life depend
ed on ms being brought within the reach
OF surgical aid As soon - posssble; but
with every moment the onward strug-
gle grew harder. and the weight Of the
helpless man more intolerable. till at
last her overtasked strength fairly gave
way, and she sank utterly exhausted
beside her unconscious lover. while Zeke,
at his wits end what to do. stood star
ing blankly at them both.
But Just then two negroes came jog
gin. along a byroad in light cart. right
up to the spot. and Zeke. by the offer Of
a large reward if they brought tho
wounded man In alive, easily induced
them To tote de Linkun ossifer' flor
such he represented Arthur 10 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 10 the anx-
ious girl as long as an hour Arthur
Fortescue lay in kind Of stupor. appar-
emily quite unconscious of the deafening
uproar that was now rending the very
sky. "Figh'ing Joe Hooker was at
taclSing the left Of the southern position
while Thomas assailed the right, and the
earth shaking thunder of the cannon was
now mingled with the ceaseless crackle
of countless rifles, while the deep chestel
shouts os the Federals and the shrill yells
of the Confederates. echoed and re-echoed
from every cleft ana Granny of the
mountain. swelled the maddening din!
But long as their weary drive had
seemed, when every moment might
death. yet when they finally reached the
hospital the thought that in few min
utes she might bear the surgeons pro-
nounce her lovers death sentence fell so
crushingly 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
she'll Dimly. as if in 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
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 moment
airy glow on his haggard face. "Ssnd
for clergyman and let us be marrisG
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 bis reach at
last; the sad, sweet face of his beauti-
full bride, where the bitter grief of low
ing and bereaved woman was chastened
and gloriiied by the sacred enthusiasm
of martyr; the good old clergyman
with his snow white hair and kind, pitv-
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
hushing 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 straw what he said or
to whom he said it. but as skillful and
gentle in action as he was rough in
speech and manner.
rs that you. Scalpelly" asked the
wounded man family.
Hello! are you able to speak, cried
the doctor. advancing. why. they
told me you were mortally woundedw
On. Morton himself said So rejoined
Constance in hardly audible voice.
"Dr. Mortal. rs we call hin-the veri-
est old croaker aliver growled Scalpell.
"Jtfst looks Mt man and says he's bound
to die. Great Cesar does any one think
that IL the splinter of 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?
III lay my life that hurt wasn't made by
the shell at ali. but only by piece Of the
broken miniature case. Just let me
have look ut it, will YOU
Kueeling down beside the sufferer. he
made close inspection Of the wound.
and then. to The unspeakable relief Of all
present. broke into a hearty laugh.
Miss Constance. said he. chucklinc.