Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-17

W'rNF ~
81 am the man."
Edgar Julian's hurts proved very seri-
GUS, though the physician from the first
pronounced them not necessarily danger
GUS to his life He was compelled to lie
in constrained attitude and submit tc
any amount of poulticing and dosing,
which was very hard for him to bear.
Colonel Chenier of his own choice be-
came Julian's nurse and companion
through his season of pain. When the
young man was we'll enough to bear con-
versation they retold together their war
"reminiscences and adventures, Julian all
the time circling around, without ever
quite reaching, the one memory which
of all others was bitterest to him. HI
tried from every direction to pave tn
way for a full confession; but whenever
he neared the point Colonel Chenier
would frighten him away by some indi-
cation of resentfulness.
Julian's training as lawyer had
taught him the art of approaching point
by every manner of indirection and Cir
cumlocutory device. He tried to edu-
cate Colonel Chenier by gradual ap-
proaches, so that finally the strange anf
ugly truth, when it should be disclosed,
would not excite any undue passion. He
was patient, and he strove to be both
wise and cunning. Of course Colonel
Chenier did not dream of Julian's object
But all the same he was quite refractory
he refused to be educated up to Julian's
notion of what was pardonable on the
score of being military necessity or the
legitimate result of the excitement and
prejudice of civil war. He was a south
erner of the old school-a believer in the
antebellum past, worshiper of chivalry
and the Lost Cause, good hater of in
novation. His pride went on high, old
fashioned stills. from which it would not
come down for anything. When at last
Julian did disclose his secret it was with
all the heroic swiftness and mercilessness
of surgical operation.
Colonel Chenier," he said, Il am go
ing to be well before long. and then
suppose shall have to go back to Chi
cago. | feel that ought to say to you
before | go that | love your daughter
Rosalie and esire to marry her.
Colonel Ch nier looked grave, and did
not reply at once He was not taken by
surprise, but the matter was of such
vast import that in his Judgment il
ought to be proceeded with slowly.
"Have you Rosalie's CONSENT" he al
last very deliberately inquired
Julian moved painfully upon his Dol
sters, and thus gained time to consider
of his answer. but he could frame M
evasive phrase: he simply said:
mo. but hope to get it.
Colonel Chenier smiled grimly.
Girls are very uncertain, sir; yer.
uncertain. Perhaps | would better re
serve consideration of the question unit
you are sure.
mo" responded Julian quickly, "tha
is Just what do not want you to do.
am sure, from reasons of my own, tina
ought to know before speak furthe
to her, how you would regard my mar
riage with your daughter"
Il regard you very highly, sir" sal
Colonel Chenier, land, so far as an
concerned, should be proud to call yC'
nv son. 1t is for Rosalie herself to dc
| eide the matter"
Julian lay for few delicious minute
> reveling in the exquisite charm of thi
announcement, fcrgetful for the time {
. all that lay between him and his heart
' desire Since his accident he had sper
most of his waking hours, when alon'
' in thinking of Rosalie and conjuring U
thousand absurd reasons for he
/ strange elusiveness. Sometimes
e caught the sound of her voice comm
+ from other rooms as she went about tt
l house. She sent flowers to him ever
t day. but as yet she had not come to 81
him, though Adelaide often had
/ 81 am glad you are not against me
he presently said; Il have been dreadin
; you, terribly dreading you. It SCENE
q to me SO probable that you would oppo'
q me-so natural that you would not lii
to have your daughter marry a-a
n marry one of Shermans men,"
n Colonel Chenier had been looking OF
! of the window which opened near j,
!. lian's couch: he now turned his ey
a upon the young mans face. and in
4 tone of warm good fellowship said:
Q Il am a southerner, sir, but hope
am no fanatic. Why should object
you on the ground that you were on tt
other sidep The war is over and that i
v sue is settled forever. A soldier, 81
honors those who honorahly foug
n him"
n 1T is doubly noble in you to talk lii
!. this, Colonel Chenier," exclaimed Julia
/ "when personally you have suffer
4 90 much. Your home burned up, yo
fortune torn from you and your ph
d sque wrecked; and then your dead sor
q and"