The Forrest City times., 1891-07-24

unreasoning. willful creature, torn by
 a passion of love and grief all for him,
 shook his strong soul to it's centre.
 What man ever resisted such over
 whelming passion, or thought it fool
 ish when he was it's object? Tom Creighton's soul blazed in his eyes as
 he held that tiny figure closer to his breast.
 ''I promise" he said.
 | So he went and she stayed The
 fortunes of war befel him; but in
 battle he seemed to dodge the bullets
 that rained upon him, manfully as he
 fought, for he felt Viva's imploring l eyes upon him. "Crieghton luck"
 was the jest of the decimated regi-
 ment; but no man charged him with
 cowardice. The thrill and splendor of
 this new life had swept off his con 1 servatisia: the war justified itself by
 its dash and valor. He rejoiced in the | clangor of trumpets, the roar of it's | guns, the rush of it's charges; and when the miasma of the marshes
 where he lay encamped detied and
 scared his flesh with fever, when he 1 lay half-conscious for many week in l the hospital, the will to live, the in-
 tent to keep his word to Viva | saved him. The nurses wondered to | hear but two words in the low nut 1 ter of his delirum: "I promise-I promise!" but those words were his l talisman.
 | Once in the field he became Q wonder | of alertness; hairbreadth escapes 1 seemed tc be his forte. One day, when th. battalion were entrenching
 themselves, and the commanding
 general, weary with the march, had l dismounted and thrown himself under l a tree fora moment s rest, Col Creigh- | ton-for he had been promoted-dash- l ed up on his black mare and saluted. "General'' he said, shall 1 ride out
 beyond the lines and reconnoitre the 1 lay of the land?'
 Do SO. said Gen. B., springing up; "and will go with you"
 As they both trotted past the in- | trenchments q colonel i'll command
 called out to them:
 ''The evening is not far off. Do not l risk your life, general"
 The general smiled and looked at
 Creighton. who laughed; and on they
 went. Soon the pickets were passed. but no enemy was sighted, and, led l on by the beauty of the way, as de- sire to grasp the situation, they trot- ted fast down a wood road, turned a short corner, and beholdl twenty or thirty men, a picket guard, or, rather. 1 q reconnaissance of the fee. Quicker than lightning flash, no pause to
 think, no word said, except that "I promise,H branded on his inward ear, Creighton sabre flashed from it's sheath; and whirling 1t round his
 head, he looked over his shoulder and
 shouted. Forward. Charge" And putting spurs to his horse flew forward, the general instantly second ing his ruso and close beside him, shed upon the startled enemy. who , nrd like sheep. Once out of sight the two men turned and ran their horses to the lines; but that swift mannuvre saved a general to the army and & lover to Viva.
 So it was in the prison where scores l of men died of untold agoniess for in those dreadful depths Tom Criegton lived. When his heart and flesh failed he seemed to see Niva's upturned.
 woful face, and he said to himself, "I promise with fresh strength each time; for he had learned faith in him self. At last the war was over but thoroughly welded to soldiers life, and because proverb among men for courage and quick resource, he was transferred to the ranks of the regular army, given a furlong of six months,
 and flew at once to Viva. Poor Vival the war had spared her Tom, but both her parents had died during bis absence, and she was quite done. To describe their meet ing would be sacrilege: it was even as the meeting of those who arise together at the rising of the dead and look at the dawning of that
 heaven which they shall spend to-geth- CT. Naturally Tom desired to hasten their marriage, and Viva did not re- fuse; for except a salaried chaperon, she was quite alone in that loneliest of positions. the inmate of a fashion
 able boarding house She did not care to waste her time or her strength on an elaborate rousseau, she left all that to Mrs Merwin; 1t seemed to her that she could not exist out of Toms presence, Yet one day she could not
 see him; she was i'll; she only saw the l doctor, an old man, who had watched
 her from childhood
 Viva" he said to her, as he drew
 on his gloves after an hour at her
 bedside, and as the nurse hurriedly called in, had left the room on some needful errand
 Viva, you must tell Capt. Creigh tom"
 "I willnotl" she answered, angrily
 But you must!'
 'sI never will, After all these wretch ed years of waiting, do you think 1 will throw my life away, Dr. Sandss" ''lf you do not, shall"
 You won't! you can't!" But Ishall. It is my duty Hyoudo not tell him before Saturday--th,s Is Tuesday--l shall" The doctors voice was stern, but the nurse came in; he said no more.
 Next day came Tom with startling news; he was ordered at once to Fort Stilling, the garrison there was needed in struggle with the Indians; fresh troops must man the fort; there was not a day to spare.
 Viva, will you go with me" She sprang up from the sofa where she lay, pale and sweet, after her way of escape from Dr. Sands.
 "Yes indeed, will. You shall not leave me again, Tomp'
 So the next morning early. like Q pair of eloping lovers, they were mar