The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-10-01

When Reuben almost stumbled over an
officer in Confederate uniform lying on
his back upon the ground. The next
moment q mounted cavalryman dashed
past and STOPPING low in his saddle
struck at the poor wretch with his sword.
Reuben parried the blow with his gun.
The rider was gone, glad perhaps that he
had not carried out his purpose. which
was only furious impulse of the mo-
ment, not the coldblooded and cruel
thing 1t seems as it is written. But
Reuben, who had tender heart, could
not leave his enemy there to be trampled
upon, and began to drag him toward the
Dearest clump Of trees, half way across
the space that lay between. He heard
the "ping" Of bullet, felt pang in his
left arm and did the rest Of his work with
his right.
As the two men fell together under
the old pine the sun vanished, twilight
fell. A retreat had begun. In ten min
utes the great plain was deserted by all
but the dead and dying. Even the
wounded who were able to move had
gotten away somehow. Reuben was not
suffering much. His arm was benumbed;
with his other he managed to place the
Confederate officer in sitting position.
his back against the tree, and taking .
flask from his pocket put it to his lips
A faint voice lifted itself.
'Sir, you are very kind, but you may
need that yourself" he said. "You also
are wounded"
PLENTY for BOTH" said Reuben. A
little later, revived by the draught, the
Confederate officer was binding Reuben's
arm, shattered above the elbow.
II am conscious, SIR" he said, "that II
was in aiding me you received this
wound. You are amagnanimous enemy"
As he spoke peculiar expression, the
promise of a smile that was not fulfilled,
passed over his mouth.
Reuben had seen 1t before; 1t itawakened
a memory, as . glance, q sound, a per-
fume often will. He was once more in
Mrs. Barton's large dining room. He
saw before him the table with its dishes
Of salad, its gold and silver cake, its mac
caroOn pyramids, its shapes Of cream and
jelly. He saw the Mulberry bellies in
their evening dresses, the Mulberry beaux
chattering, smiling, looking pleased with
themselves, striving to please the ladies.
Beulah, in her blue dress with tea roses
at her belt, so absorbed in the converse
ton Of young Du Bois that she had no
eyes for him, and everything else van
ished, as everything does II one fixes
ones eyes long enough upon some single
star in the clear night sky. "Beulah,
Beulah," he whispered. Then out Of the
mists came the smile that was 80 pecu-
liar.
"Is your name Du Bois?" he asked.
"Yes, replied the other. "Ihave met
you at the north; they entertained me
most hospitality met charming people.
am glad to- He paused, his voice
failed him, but he struggled to complete
the sentence, ito meet you again" The
knight Of courtesy was faithful to the
last.
Reuben sat silent. The moon was
slowly rising, q great, silver disk in the
sky. Afar in Reuben's native home
Beulah saw herrise.
The white light flooded the great,
stubbly field with all its ghastly relics Of
the battle, and the handsome face Of Du
Bois looked white as Parian marble. He
spoke again, and his voice had altered
strangely. His hands moved stifly as
he drew a ring from his finger.
Ill shall not see my wife again." he
said. "Poor darling, she'll break her
heart. We love each other. Let-let
me put this on your finger. Some day
give her this and tell her l thought Of
her and the babies last Of all. Tell her
how good you were to me. Galveston,
Texas, is our home"
Reuben could not see him for the tears
that dimmed his eyes, but their hands
met in long, lingering clasp. And still
the moon shone down upon them, riding
her course, and Beulah watched it.
"Tell him loved him ali the while,"
she whispered. And he at the moment
was saying to himself:
Jealous fool that was. He was q
married man, who loved his wife, and
Beulah must have known it. The poor
fellow was gallant to all women. Well,
shall never see her again, or poor old
dad either"