The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-25


widening chasm, destined to be deepened
and Redeemed still more by the heroic de-
votion of each to his side.
One beautiful moonlit night, as Frank
was walking slowly and thoughtfully home
from the village, where be had been to learn
the particulars of the crossing of the Union
troops into Kentucky under Rosseau and
Nelson, themselves sons of 1.-THE dark and
bloody ground, /" he heard the galloping of
an approaching horse and caught the CLINT
of the moon on polished rife barrel.
The horseman drew rein beside him. Il
was George
1.-THE time is here, Frank said George
huskily, as he sprang to the ground with
the rifle at his back and laid his hands on
his brothers shoulders.
Frank did not ask for an explanation.
He knew that the dreaded hour had come
and that his brother, whom he loved bet
ter than he did his own life, was about to
take sides with the cause that he hated.
Have you told mother?" asked Frank
ayes. God pity her, brother, for she
needs his comfort tonight; but 1 felt that
could not remain back longer and be a man.
know how you feel, Frank, and l re-
spect you, but you are steadier than am
or ever can be, and you will care for her
learn that am not to come back. And
Dora-I have long kept the secret to my
self, but 1 felt tonight that / could not
leave without opening my heart to her and
telling her that have longed loved her,
but not as a brother
"And what did she say, George" asked
Frank.
''She answered only with tears and sup
Y1Iioafionu for roo IN rom fo min
be as happy as of old, but feel that that
can never be. But for my sake, for her
sake, Frank, know you will care for her.
And now, may God have you ever in his
keeping"
George Stewart threw his arms about
his brothers neck, kissed him, then swung
into the saddle and galloped away in the
direction of the south.
The pounding of the iron hoofs struck
on Franks heart and held him there in
agony till they died out in a faint echo
across the mOonlit hills; then he went
home, feeling that again the shadow of
death had fallen on its portals.
With full appreciation of the futility
of his efforts, Frank tried TO cheer his
mother and Dora, and with more energy
and care, if that were possible, he gave him
self up to the duties of the farm.
Now and then, through the underground
mail, a letter full of love came through
from George, and replies were sent through
the same medium. At length, it was in
the summer of 1862, there came a day when
the Confederate cavalry were sweeping
north to the Ohio, making fugitives or re-
cruits of all the men capable of bearing
arms along their line of march.
Mother" said Frank, as one evening he
L L II -
that commanded splendid view of the
broad river, II have always said that I
would never leave you and Dora till the
Confederates forced me to fly, and that
then l would take service with the Union
John Morgan's troopers are only five hours
away. Tomorrow morning they will water
their horses down there. Our neighbors
know my feelings. You will be safer if /
am away, SO 1 will go, leaving you to
God"
Mrs. Stewart was not unprepared for
this, yet her heart was pierced as with a
dagger and she bowed her head on her
hands.
A sense Of loyalty to his brother had kept
Frank from telling Dora of his love, and
up to this moment her preference had been
concealed, but now she tried to rise and
reach out TO him her restraining arms, but
tottered in the effort, and with cry Of
agony ON her white lips fell at his feet like
one dead.
The next day Morgan's gray horsemen
were down by the river, and Frank Stewart
was mustered into the service of the Union.
And now, no matter which side lost or
won, there was no rejoicing in the hearts
of these two women.
They drew apart from the world, but this
Il 81 Al. =.
rible contest. The Union people were still
rejoicing over the victory at Missionary
Ridge, when one day message came to
Mrs. Stewart from Nashville 1t said:
Your sOa George, who fell into our
hands desperately wounded before Chatta-
nooga, is here and wishes TO see YOU"
The widow and Dora knew what that
meant They hurried to Louisville, re-
ceived passes and took the cars for Nash
vile.
They found the hospital, and the doctor
who had sent the message led them 10
cot on which lay a man bronzed and beard
ed. The hue of death was on the face, and
the quick rise and fall of the broad breast
told that the end was near.
And George Stewart heard moaning and
felt the touch of hot lips on his cold cheeks,
and opening his glazing eyes he saw kneel-
ing. on either side of the cot, his mother
and Dora.
God bless you for comingl" he gasped.
He was dead within the hour, and his
last words were:
"Tell brother love him-and bless him
with my dying breathp'
The body Of George Stewart was taken
home, and Union and Confederate neigh
bors, all whispering praises OF his char
acter, bore him up TO the west of the slope
and laid him beside his father on an eleya-
ton that looked down on the queenly
Ohio and commanded a view Of the purple
hills TO the south.
Again, after long months Of anxiety, Sep
temReTs l2g4 came around. and the land