Middletown transcript., 1892-09-15

! ~AbSAA AAOoh
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 a helpless
broken reed.
He lifted her gently and called fol
assistance. But in little while she
revived, rising to her feet with the old
brave look on her pale face.
Il must 60 to him." she said
"They will bury him there and shall
never look upon his face again.
must 60"
"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. .i#
Then for the first time she learned
the full particulars of her lovers ex-
plot; how he had led the scouting
party, rushing boldly into the face Of
the foe, and by this action saving the
militia from the ambush the savages
had prepared for them. In moment
the battle had begun. but ere his
comrades we're hand with the redskins
who seemed to lurk behind every bush
and tree, this bold young soldier had
met his fate, falling with his face to
the foe. e.-....
cat least he died like hero" her
heart whispered, whenever the bitter
ness Of her woe threatened to over
whelm her.
Two days later, after a long and
weary journey, her little party reach
ed the soldiers camp. The boys had
entrenched themselves behind small
knoll overlooking the surrounding
country, fortifying themselves with
earthworks against any attack from
Indians. All things seemed, for the
present. peaceful.
At sight of her the boys gave cheer
Many of the militia knew her, and
they we're proud of her. They knew
her for what she was-a brave, heroic
girl, purely. sweetly womanly, yet
ready as any of her brothers to take
the weapons from her belt and defenf
her life or that of any she loved-s
girl imhned with all the glory and
strength of her native mountains.
She acknowledged the cheers with
. sweet, grave dignity then the lead
ing officer in her escort Whispered
something to the Major ere he helped
her to dismount.
She caught the reply. 1t made he
tremble, but with the suspicion of
great joy, not sorrow. llE
"Not deadl" were the words which
came from her white lips with a gasp
"No"-the Major came 70 her sid'
quickly fthe courier made mistake
1t was Ned Simpson who died. NeC
Ashby yet lives, though he lies almos
at deaths door,"
The Major led the way into th
tent where the wounded man lay
motioning the guide aside. Then h
left her, followed by the young office
who had been in attendance.
Taking up the hand that lay s.
helpless against the rough blanket
she pressed it to her lips, and then 70
the first time the tears fell from he
eYes-fen in a hot, binding mist
What pain and anguish had not don
10Y had accomplished-joy that h
still lived and that she had reache
him in time to give all her young lif
to his care and service.
His coat-the one he had worr
when parting from her-lay on tn
bed. Her eyes darkened as she say
the stains of blood. She took it i
: hand examining it -keenly. Their
were the pansies, faded and worn, stil
pinned inside. The bullet had passe
through just above them.
"Had the bullet struck him an inc
lower it would have been fatal" on
of the men afterwards told her.
Perhaps the pansies by some sub
tile influence saved him /; perhaps he
, own spirit in that moment of agon
had passed into them, making the
, indeed real talisman to protect hin
r She loved to think this: That &c
, had answered her earnest prayers b
f Investing these. her chosen flowers wit
the power to save his life.
$ It was My girlish fancy, but
! made her happy. She took the dea
t blossoms and laid them tenderly ava
Until they become dust these fade
s flowers would be sacredly cherishe
a Jeanette came to Ned's bedsiC
! one day with look ofjoy upon h
: lovely face. It was like transhgur'
e ton,
IS "Ned," she cried, with a return
J. her old life and spirit, "the war
e over. Peace is declared and we a
going to take you home to-morrc
l. morning"
:. For answer he silently pressed u