The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-05-28

emerald, from the verdure depths of
which cleaned vari-hued blossoms
whose blended odors were borne in
through open window and doorway.
The golden sunset glow had gradual
ly faded from the west, and the soft
gray of the twilight crept adown the
gentler slopes of tho far-off hills and
across the level plain, till all the earth
seemed embodied in it's shadow.
Anna Brown had been watching the
scene from her seat in the deep window
recess, but as the twilight stiffness be-
gan to grow oppressive, she stepped
out through the window, and, descend
ing the broad stone steps of the veranda,
she passed down the graveled path,
stopping beside a sweet syringa, whose
all about her. Favorite flower of hers,
and favorite also of-another.
Humming snatch of half sweet,
half sad melody, she scanned the
towering shrub in the deepening
gloom, and, spying a cluster OF bios
SONS barely within her reach, she put
up her hand and stood tiptoe to grasp
the coveted prize. But a soft step be-
hind startled her and another hand
with farther reach was extended
above hers, and, grasping, broke from
the bough the cluster of flowers, while
voice which both her ear and her
heart recognized said: 81 wish l might
always gain for you such of life's
longed-for treasures as lie beyond your
easy reach"
Then while he begged her to let him
fasten them in the coils of her raven
hair she marked the little quaver in
his voice and that the hands grew un.
steady while they worked. But you
will not wonder at that nor at what
follows when tell you this was way
back in those dreadful ''siXties," those
years that tried the souls of men and
the hearts of women; when hearts that
one moment ran high with joy were
the next low plunged in the depths OF
despair; when, indeed, 'eyes looked
love to eyes that spalke again. but
spoke only to tell of coming separation
for years, perhaps-and, ''oh, sad
perhaps" for to how many it meant
forever, Oh, the horrors of war!
In those days mothers kissed, in
parting, the scarce bearded lips OF
sons, who, it seemed to them, had but
| just left the cradles over which they
| had sung their ''Hush, my dear, lie
still and slumber." Fathers hung or
the necks of stalwart youths who
had but just begun to be the stay OF
their inhrmity of years. Wives with
blanchcd lips quivering bade adieu tc
the husband and father, gazing agoniz'
ingly by turns at the going helper and
the staying helpless, the dependent
ones, whose infant lips called him 'fa
ther' and hung on him for support.
All, you who had no part in the
scenes, too young to realize the anguish
all about you, "Praise God from whom
all blessings flow," and then join in the
| prayer with us that never again may
the black and blood-dripping wings oi
war cast shadow on our fair land. Tc
you, perhaps, there was only the grand
eur u the "army with banners" the
inspiring melody of "fifc and drum,
the gracefulness OF the uniformed body
of soldiers, as hundreds of feet KEEP
time to the martial strains All! if only
that were all there is of war,
But to our theme. The unsteady
hands, when they had fastened the
snowy blossoms in place, caught ir
their grasp the steadier hands of Anna
Brown, and while she was somewhat
startled at the suddenness of the whole
affair, George Earle broke out with:
Anna, l must tell You all have tC
say to you quickly, and you will pardon
my impetuosity when you understand
all. Yon must have seen all along how
much | love you. had not thought Il
speak of it till had accomplished Ger
tain undertakings, but events have
crowded me To declaration. Tell me
that You love me in return, and promis,
me that when-when l can claim you
| you will be my wife.
81 do love you, George, and will b,
! your wife whenever you want me. Blu
something has happened, George, O
something is going to happen, Orwell
do not understand your actions. Yol
arc usually more calm and self
possessed. Do tell me'--
my own darling, l have enlisted
and in very short time will be on ~,
way to join the forces already in tn,
deld. There, do not be SO startled
Anna. ] should have been less abrupt
but it is all so sudden. ~ myself even
thai l can seaycelY realize it,"