The Russellville Democrat., 1892-03-17


His sister The words, spoken
to herself came ike a groan. He
has a sister, Would be let her
take my hand, ! wonders But
could her hand bind up my children 5
wounds as this hand has donef IT
Is brown and hard. Hers must be
white and soft, sparkling with dia-
monds, bathed in cosmetics mine
in blood her lips pressed by his
kisses. Oh, win my revenge never
comet"
Have patience, Marie. 1t is close
at hand. In the early dawn the
camp is awakened by the drum beat
| ing to arms. All day RACES the
fierce strife Of battle, and not until
the stars are lighting up the sky do
they feel the victory theirs. Every
where, in the thickest of the fray,
has the child vivandiere been, now
uttering some word of encourage
ment or command, or anon stopping
with gentle haste to wet the parched
lips Of one of her children. Like
some ftful FREELY, with the lantern
buckled to her belt, now that the
fight is ended, she treads her way
among the many forms with which
the ground is strewn, as though
seeking some one her watchful eyes
had missed. A groan arrests her
steps. At her very feet, helpless,
wounded. lies the man on whom she
had sworn to be avenged. The fair
hair is streaked with blood, heavy
look of pain rests on the handsome
face, the lips which called her un-
sexed are white and still but as her
glance rests on him, her heart gives
one great throb, then seems to cease
its beat. Swiftly she stoops, and,
with rapid, skillful fingers, binds up
his wound, her eyes fearless, but a
great sob in her throat.
my revenge must wait, she
murmurs, as if in excuse of the act.
"He would not know it. Besides
he is one of my children, though L
| hate him"
Poor little girl Even as the words
escaped her, she bent still lower the
dainty head, east one hasty glance
about, then suddenly pressed the red,
warm lips upon the cold, white
brow As if the deed had been
compulsory, she started to her feet,
and, ike deer, sped across the
plain to bring him help, without
which he must die
Remember, do not let him know
that | had him brought here" she
commanded the men, as they laid
him on the hospital cot, and each
one swore his obedience.
marie - He had grown strong
and well again since that cruel
night; but, try as he would to draw
nearer to this strange, ftful child,
she was an ignis tatleus, whom he
could not approach. He called her
now from the door of his tent.
tCome here, little one; | have
something to show you. Slowly she
came towards him. He drew pic
ture from his breast. 1t was a girls
face, young and lovely. at is my
sister, Marie, Of whom | spoke to
you. She longs so much to do some
thing for you.
The girls eyes darkened; her
breath came in short, quick gasps.
Were there such women in the
world-his world-as thisi No
wonder he called her unsexed. If
she had not sworn revenge, she
might almost forgive him. Her
heart softened, and two great tears
welled up in her eyes.
81 viii show you something else
very sacred to me, Marie Gordon
continued. "They say the soldiers
all con6de to you their trusts, and if
some fine day / die on the battle
field, you must take this from my
body and send it to the address
written on the back. 1t is the por-
trait of my promised wife. .
Had the night grown coldi Was
she awake or dreamingf Before
her there huttered a laughing face
Of exquisite beauty. She saw it all
the delicate, high-bred air, the
peerless head, the slender, perfect
figure; but her eyes grew very visit
full, and her cheek paled. The sum
mer night had lost its freshness, and
the child her youth.
Another hot fight drew to its
close. Gordon Graham had been
taken prisoner by the enemy, they
told Marie, and she laughed to hear
the news, but in the laugh some
thing sounded like a sob. The
camp seemed strangely empty with
out him. Had that high-born beau
ty in her far-off home heard the
news, she wondered, and did he still
look for comfort at the face he car
ried next his hearth Her revenge
must wait while now. He would
be back soon. But what was this
that crept from lip to lip along the
eampi The return of an important
prise ner had been demanded by the
enemy, or, ere twenty-four hours
had passed Gordon Graham would
be shot through the heart.
Their messenger had been delayed
on the way, and now but six hours
interveLed be ore the appointed
-