Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-11-14
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Allan did not answer, but grew white to
the lips aud turned to Nell as if expect
ing to hear her echo her fathers words
But Nell never faltered. She looked
straight into our eyes and told in her
sweet. simple way of her love for Allan,
Of her promise TO marry him. and then
her voice grew firm and calm as she said.
And will wait for you alwsvs, Allan
Then followed a stormy scene. but
through il all Nell was firm aud calm
and Allan gentle but res1lute. In the
end he bade Nell long loving goodbye
and rode off in the dark, stormy night
"The next day dawned gray aud cheer.
less. We all gathered in the hall early in
the morning 10 see Fred start--a SORROW.
ful, heavy eyed group. Nellstood little
apart, pale and silent. When he had bid
the rest of us farewell he turned 70 her.
Helen said he; Helen, if you can prove
yourself worthy of your blood by giving
up that fellow, tell me goodbye, but il
you do not no longer count you as my
sister. oh, Nell, my beautiful little sis
ter won't you give him up for me, your
brotherT But Nell only closed her lips
and shook her head. So our brave boy
rode away without one word from the
little sister he loved so we'll Those were
dreary days that followed. A leaden
weight lay on all our hearts. The only
one among the whole household who was
not sad and gloomy was Nell. She went
about the old rooms humming gay tunes.
bright as a lark. Mothers eyes grew
glad as they followed her little form, aud
fathers face was less anxious as he list.
ened TO her clear, young voice. She had
SO entirely gone back to her old sunny
ways that the night of Allan's departure
seemed like dream. But sometimes
would find her sitting thinking by her.
self, with such an expression in her eyes
that for days afterward the sound of her
laugh and her merry songs gave me a
sharp pang. In those days, when saw
the brave little heart. the little heart so
untried. so tender, battling to be brave
and cheerful, knew that our Nell had on
that dark night when she babe her
lover goodbyeste across the line that
separates grlhood from womauhood, and
knew, too, that, come what might, she
would never give up Allan.
so the days passed by and the war
that had at first been far away began to
come nearer. One day we were wakened
by the sound of cannon that could not be
far off. Throughout the day the sound
continued and news came that great
battle was being fought near us. Later
we learned that Freds troops were en-
gagged. About sunset the war of the can.
mons ceased and the night settled down
quietly, save now and then, when the
report of a rifle broke the stiffness. We
had gathered around the fire and were
silently watching the dying embers,
when we heard a sharp clatter of hoofs,
and moment after Fred stood before us
pale and haggard, supporting on his arm
young officer in the federal uniform.
1t needed no second glance for Nell TO
recognize him, and as Fred gently laid
his burden down she knelt over it, softly
calling Allan Mother and nanny
hurried to apply restoratives. while Fred
with broken voice told the story. The
confederates were slowly retreating, pur.
sued by the federal troops. Fred had been
F'ONhNCN anu ACAt Oh tiC hIt0 dtuot
shortly have been shot to death by the
bullets of the two combatants. 1t was
then that Allan sighted him with his
glass and brought him off, straight in the
face Of the deadly fire. He dressed his
wound, gave him stimulants, and then,
when he had finished. staggered and fell
unconscious and sorely wounded in sew
eral places. The troops had pressed for
ward Fred and Allau were alone Fred
found a horse picketed, by some chance,
near by, and, as our house was as near
his way home. In the meantime all the re-
storatives at hand had been tried in vain.
Allan lay quite still. Presently he slowly
opened his eyes, with a wistful look that
quickly changed to glad one as he saw
US all bending over him. For moment
his face was illumined by the sweet, glad
smile we knew 50 well. Helen, he said,
and that was all.
There isn't much more to tell. We
buried Allan beneath the trees on the
lawn yonder. When Fred recovered he
went back to his troop, but he was q
changed man, far older and graver and
gentler. Nell tried to be her old self
again, but, though we did all we could
for her to make her life a bright and
happy one, we saw that day by day she
grew paler and thinner. One day
found her fast asleep beside Allan's
grave. She never woke up and there she
sleeps now. That's all, dear. Con
stance Hamilton, in Washington Star.