Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-10-15

flnchlngfy upon his? Child he said,
his hand upon hers, even rs her faith
er's had been, his eyes full of kindness,
his stern voice suddenly tender, your
lover is deadi The courier Just in
states that he died yesterday after
noon.'
Not one word came from her lips.
The great eyes gave him one stricken
look, and then She fell Just where she
stood at his feet, like helpless, broken
reed
de lifted her up gently and called
for assistance But in a little while
she revived rising to her feet with the
old brave, determined look on her pale
face.
81 must 90 to him. she said. "They
will bury him there aud | shall never
look upon his face again. ! must go.'
"An escort of my best and bravest
men shall accompany you, he said.
They will protect you and bring the
body here
Thank YOU"
1t was all she could say, but tears of
gratitude rose in her eyes as she bent
low over his extended hand.
Then for the first time she learned
the full particulars of her lovers eN-
plot; how he had led the scouting
party, rushing bodily into the very
face Of the foe, and by this action saw
ING the military from the ambush the
sayages bad prepared for them. IN a
moment the battle had begun, bat ere
his comrades We're hand to hand with
the REDSKINS, who seemed to lurk be-
hind every bush and tree this bold
young soldier had met his fate, falling
with his face to the foe.
AT least he died like a hero" her
heart whispered whenever the bitter
ness OF her woe threatened to over
whelm lar.
Two iars later after long and
weary journey. her little party reached
the Soldicl 5 camp. The boys had en-
trenchel themselves behind small
knoll overlooking the surrounding
country, fortfyiug themselves with
earthwurks against any attacks from
the Indians, All things seemed, for
the present peaceful.
At sight of her the boys raised a
cheer Many Of the militia know her,
and they were proud Of her They
knew her for what she was a brave.
heroic girl, purely, sweeuy wommlY,
Yet rea|e as any of her brothers to
take the weapons from her belt and de-
fend her life or that of any she loved 49,
a girl imhUe1 with all the glory and
strength Of her native mountains
She acknowledged the cheers with a
sweet, grave dignity; then the leading
officer 81 her escort whispered some
thing to the major ere he helped her
to dismouut
She caught the reply 1t made her
tremble, but with the suspicion of a
great joy, not sorrow.
"Not dnad!" were the words which
came from her white lips with a gasp.
NO, the major came to her side
quickly the courier made a mistake.
1t was Ned Sampson who died. Ashby
yet lives, though he lies still almost at
deaths door,
The major led the way into the tent
where the wounded man lay, notion
ing the guard aside. Then he left her,
followed by the young officer who had
been in attendance.
His coat-the one he had worn when
parting from her-lay on the bed. Her
eyes darkened as she saw the stains
of blood and the bullet hole. She took
it in her hands, examining it keen,w.
1hnre were the pansies, faded and
NotG still pinnei inside. The bullet
mad passed through just above them.
Had ,,a bullet struck him an inch
lower it would have been fatal" one
of the raen afterward told her
Perhaps the pansieS by some subtle
influence had saved him; perhaps her
own spirit in that moment of agony
had pissed into them. making them
indeed a real talisman to protect him.
She loved TO think this. That God had
answered her earnest prayers by in
vesting these, her chosen flowers, with
the power to save his life.
1t was only girlish fancy, but it
made he happy. She took the dead.
sweet blossoms and laid them tenderly
away. Until they became dust these
faded flowers would be sacrcdly cher
ished.
Jeanette came to Ned's bedside one
day with look of joy upon her lovely
face Itwas like a transformation,
Ned she cried, with a return of
her Old life and spirit, "the war is
over. Peace is declared and we are
going to take you home tomorrow
morning.
For answer he silently pressed the
small warm hand that crept into his
own. Whenever was there sweet
heart so tender and true, so beautiful
and braye2
When they reached the springs loud
and wild were the cheers given for the
brave boys returning from the war and
not only for the boys, but for the brave
girl who had dared to 90 to the front
for loves sake. Under the glorious
sweep Of the spangled flag she rode,
her cheeks adame like the crimson
stripes, and her eyes splendid with the
sunlight OF love.
81 know it was the panFies that saved
you, she whispered to Ned when they
stood once more together under the
shadow OF their own beautiful royal
tinted mountains. "The pausies have
human faces and I believe God has in
vested every blossom with graces and
power which we do not understand.
Her tall lover booked down upon the