Smyrna times., 1892-04-06

look upon his face again. | must 90 ~
The General did not attempt to dis.
suade her. He felt almost reverent in
the presence of such devotion. The
grutf old soldier was moved by this girls
heart-break as no scene of battle had
ever moved him.
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.
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 very
face of the foe, and by this action saw
ing the military from the ambush the
savages had prepared for them. In a
moment the battle had begun, but ere
his comrades were 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.
Two days later, after a long and
weary journey, her little party reached
The soldiers camp. the boys had
entrenched themselves behind a small
Knoll overlooking the surrounding
country, fOrtifying themselves with
earthworks against any attacks from
the Indians. The flag of truce was up,
however, and all things seemed for the
present, peaceful.
AT sight of her the boys raised a
a cheer. Many of the militia knew her
and they were 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
defend her life or that of any one she
loved-a girl imbued with all the
glory and all the strength other native
mountains.
She acknowledged their 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 her tremble but
with the suspicion of great joy, not
sorrow.
Not dead !" were the words which
came from her white lips, with
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.
All mistake-all horrible dream
Oh, such happiness was almost impos-
sible to realize Giving her hand to
the Major she almost leaped from the
saddle. Her feet seemed like the
winged Mercury's to speed to him.
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
Alone, the girl threw herself on her |
knees beside her lover. But there
was no recognition for her in the deem !
blue eyes-thOse brave eyes that had |
never met her own save in love and /
tenderness. He was unconscious.
with dilirum of fever upon him. The
words he murmured were of the bat
5le-ield, not of the brave girl who had
ridden so many weary miles Just to
look upon his deaG face.
Taking up the hand that lay so help
less against the rough blankets. she
pressed it to her lips; and then, for
.he first time, the tears fell from her
eyes-lel in hot, binding mist. What
pain and anguish had not done, iov
low accOmplished-joy that he still
lived, and that she had reached him in
ime to give all her young life to his
;are and service.
His coat the one he had worn when
parting from her, lay on the bed. Her
'yes darkened as she saw the stains of
blood and the bullet hole. She took it
n her hands, examining it keenly.
There were the pansies faded and
worn, still pinned inside. The bul.
ct had passed through just above
hem.
Had the bulle, struck him an inch
over, it would have proved fatal"
me OF the men afterward told her.
Perhaps the pansies.by some sublime
influence, had saved him; perhaps her
wn spirit, in that moment of agony.
lad passed into them, making them
indeed a talIsman to protect him. She
owed to think this-that God had an
wered her earnest prayers by invest
ng these, her chosen flowers, with the
over to save his life.
1t was only girlish fancy, but it
lade her happy. She took the dead.
weet blossoms and laid them tenderlv
way.
All this time the camp had not been |
yithOut menace, but the redskins had {
cen kept at bay until the arrival {
I the fresh troops. Through all this l
anger Jeanette had been unwaver- {
~. Not one expression of fear had l
assed her lips, although she like all t
ne rest, drew sigh of relief when the 1
'oops arrived. I
Then followed hot pursuit of the
indians; they were pushed back to
leir reservations.
Jeanette came to Neds bedside one
ay with look ofjoy on her lovely A
zee. 1t was like TRANSPORTATION.
Med, she cried with a return of
er old life and spirits, "the war is
yer. Peace is declared, and we are
DING to take you home tomorrow
forming.
For answer, he silently pressed the q
nall, warm hand that crept into his |
Wn. Whenever was there q sweet /
cart so tender and true, so beautiful \
nd brave J
When they reached the Springs, loud 3
nd wild were tie cheers given for the b
rave boys returning from the war; b
nd not only for the boys, but for the "
rave girl who had dared to go to the n
ont for loves sake. Under the glor- h
us sweep of the spangled flag she O.
de, her cheeks atlame like the Grim n
N slopes, and her eyes splendid with O.
70 sunlight of love. O.
Il know it was the pansies that a.
we'd you" she whispered to Ned, cl
hen they stood once more together a.
lder the shadow of their own beauti- 81
!, royal-tinted mountains. "The Il
'nsies have human faces, and be- 81
we God has invested every blossom Y
Ith graces and powers which we do st
It understand" W
Her tall lover looked down upon the th
rect face uplifted to his, smiling at b.
Q girlish folly, yet touched by the di
ire faith in it. And, aft0r all, who te
all say that she was not right. th