Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-05-26

With characteristic arlor, George showed
! his devotion, and even spoke to his mother
1 about proposing TO Dora bu; as she knew
I the secret OF Frank, her firstborn, she pre-
1 vailed on him TO wait for year or two, or
/ until his foster sister had had time to see
something of the world and to measure
I with maturer Judgment the incliuations Of
I her own heart.
"There'll be trouble between them two
( boys some day on account Of that girl." !"
is what the older and more observant
neighbors said, but the trouble came In
another way.
I Frank voted for Doug las--it was his first
Ivote-in 1860 and II George had had the
same right he would have exercised it in
the same way.
Then came secession and the battles in
1861, and ON the north hank of the Ohio
men could be seen drilling. while every
hour steamers sped mp or down the river
crowded with blue clad men, The con
servaiives Of Kentucky advised neutrality
but the governor. while seeming to fall in
with this idea, was secretly helping the
cause OF the Confcderacy; and the young
men. disgusted with the cowardiy attitude
Of the state, shouldcred their rifles and
rode south to join Zollicoffer and John
ston. or made their way across the Ohio
and took service under the banner that
existed through the valor Of their fore
fathers.
Frank Stewart and his brother after the
first sad understanding. did not talk much
about the war The one in his quiet enr-
aestness. and the other in his passionate
artlor, stood on opposite sides Of the ever
widening chasm, destined TO be deepened
and reddened still more by the heroic de
votion Of each to his side.
One beautiful moonlit night. rs Frank
was walking slowly aud thoughtfully home
from the village. where he had been TO learn
the particulars of the crossing of the Union
troops into Kentucky under Rosseau and
Nelson, themselves sons of 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 hoISeman drew rein beside him. 1t
was George.
ss1he time is here, Frank" said George
huskiiv, as he snrang to the ground with
the rifle at his back and laid his hands on
his brot hers 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 u
take sides with the cause that be hated.
Have YOU told mothersH asked Frank.
ayes. God pity her, brother. for she
needs his comfort tonight; but l felt that
could not remain back longer and be man.
know how you feel, Frank. and ! re-
spect you, but you are steadier than am
or ever can be. and you will care for her
and the place TIL the war is over or you
learn that | am not TO come back. And
Dora-I have long kept the secret to my
self, but / felt tonight that | could not
leave without opening my heart 10 her and
telling her that have longed loved her,
but not as brother"
And what did she say, Georges' asked
Frank
she answered only with tears and sup
plications for me TO r.-main-to remain and
be as happy as Of old, but / feel that that
can never be. But for my sake, for her
sake. Frank, know you viii care for her.
And now. may God have you ever in his
keeping I"
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 irUn hoofs struck
on Franks heart and held him there in
agony till they died out ia 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, 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 day when
the Confederate cavalry were sweeping
north to the Ohio. making fasitives or re-