Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-06-17

for her in the evening.
She cauc TO him with eager eyes for
tie things just received by a courier
from the scene of battle. Beyond thu
springs there were no telegraph wires,
and thetouricrs rode day and night
oyef ile dangerous Indian trails to
bring tlgs|isratchcs.
SIS Tie -any-news of hm?n she
1es." Tho Generals voice almost
clicked as he looked at her. How ,uld
no break tho heart of this brave young
creature whose great love made her so
leauiiful, its unsclti,h purpose shin.
my from every feature? How could
he tell her the cruel truth, with those
lovc-lit, starry eyes fixed SO unflinch-
ugly upon his? "Child," he said, his
hand upon hers, even as. hor fathers
had been, his eyes full of kindness,
bis stern voice suddenly tender, "your
lover is dead 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, ard then she fell just where she
stood at his feet, like helpless, bro.
ken reed.
lie lifted her up gently and called
for assistance. But in little while
she revived, rising to her feet with
tie old brave, determined look on her
pale face.
II lnnst go with him." she said,
..Tley will bury him there and shall
never look upon his face again. /
masfxoi"
Al escort of my best aud bravest
iiicil shall accopipaiy' YOU" he said,
s'They viii protect you and brirg the
body berc."
"Thank rou.D
II was oil 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 cx-
pioit; how he had led The scouting
party, rushing bodily into he face of
the foe, and BY this action saving thc
military from the ambush the sayagcs
hNi prepared for them. In moment
the battle had begun, but ere lis COM
radios were hand 10 band with the red /.
skins who sccmol 70 lurk behind
Glsssl-g ll..sA I'D srsc, ih4 hold young
soldier had met his fate, falling with
lis face t. the fnc.
"At last hc died like hero" her
heart whispered whenever the hi ter
ness of her woe threatened to over
whelm her.
Two days later, after long and
weary journey, her little party reached
the soldiers camp. Tho boys had ell
trcnched themselves behind a small
knoll overlooking the surrounding
country, fortifying themselves with
earthworks against any attacks from
Indians. All things seemed, for the
present, peaceful.
At sight of her the boys raised a
cheer. Many of the militia knew her,
aud they were proud of her. They
knew her for what she was--a brave,
heroic girl, purely, swectly womanly,
yet ready as any of her brothers 70
take the weapons from her belt and
defend her life or that of any she
loved-a girl imbucd with all the
glory and strength of her native moun-
taims.
She acknowledged the cheers with
a sweet, grave dignity; then the lead
ing officer in her escort whispered
something TO the Major ere he helped
her to dismount.
She caught tho reply. 1t made her
tremblc. but with the suspicion of a
great joy, not sorrow.
"Not dead" were the words which
came from her white lips with gasp.
mo" the Major came to her side
quickly-"the courier made mistake.
1t was Ned Sampson who died. A,hby
yet lives, thouglhc lies sill almost at
deaths door,
The Maj led the way into the tent
where tho wounded man lay, motion
ing the guide aside. Then he left her,
followed by the young ciliccr who had
been in attenlancc.
Taking up the hand that lay so help
less against the rough blankets she
pressed ii TO her lips, and then for the
first time the tears fell from her eyes
fell in hot, binding mist. Whist
pain and anguish had not douo joy
had accomplished-ioy that he still
lived and that she had reached him in
time TO give all her young life 10 his
caro- and sarvica
His coat-the one he had worn when
parting from her-lay OH the bed.
Her eyes darkened as she saw the
stains of blood and the bullet-holc.
She took it in her hands, examining
it keenly. There were the pansies,
faded and worn, stilled pinned inside.
The bullet had passed through just
above them.
"Had the bullet struck him an inch
lower it would have been FATAL" one
of the men afterwards told her.
Perhaps the pansies by some subtitle
influence saved him; perhaps her own
spirit in that moment of agony had
nassed into them. making them In