Arizona republican., 1892-06-05


 could not bear the contemplation of this idea, conflicting as it did with the feel ing in her heart, and so she got up and dressed quickly, ordering breakfast to be served in her room. After the meal was over she put on her hat and, tying close veil around her face, in- quired the way to the Confederate cem- etery, It was perfectly straight, she was told. She had only to follow that street out to the end, when she would be at the entrance to the two cemeteries the one on the right was the Federal and that on the left was the Confederate
 1t was an exquisite summer morning, and earth and air and sky seemed all to meet in sweet promise of love and peace. The quiet streets of the little town were almost empty, and as she neared the two cemeteries there was not human being in sight Feeling the need of fresh air she took off her veil, and just as she did so she caught sight of the figure of a man seated oD an abutment of the stone wall surrounding the Federal cemetery. As he saw and recognized her he rose and came forward. It was Albert For. rest.
 He took in both his own her two little hands, which were cold and trembling, and looked deep into her eyes.
 "The years have changed, and yet not changed you," he said. You are like yourself, and also like some one not yourself. some softened, ripened, deep ened woman, such us my young love promised to become"
 "Oh. how can you say such words 10 me-" she broke forth in a troubled .'ap- pealing voice "Oh, do you know what have travelled this long distance for? have come to see my fathers grave"
 And 1, he said, ito see my brother's.'
 She looked at him in wondering, dis turbed confusion.
 How mysteriousl How marvelous! she said. "A stranger coincidence l never heard of To think we should meet sol"
 "A Providence, rather than a coinci- dence," he said. "It is too wonderful thing to have come by accident. Surely it was meant to be"
 His hands still held her own in that firm clasp, and still his eyes drank deep of hers But suddenly she drew her hands away.
 "Oh, you must not keep me" she said. You must let me go and afterward we will meet again-and part"
 At her last word a look of fixed resolve came into his face.
 No" he said, "I will not keep you. will go with you.
 And drawing her hand within his arm, with that old imperiousness she had once ! loved so to obey, he led her gently, but with determined force, through the gate of the Confederate cemetery and down the paths among the quiet graves.
 The grass was smooth and green and scrupulously kept, but the graves were marked with common little wooden head stones, painted white, with black letter ing. The soldier dead, from various states, were laid in separate lots, and without word they walked along until they reached the spot made sacred to the dear state that she loved so loyalty. Here they paused and the girl would fhave drawn away her hand, but as she slipped it from his arm he caught and held it.
 "You cannot send me from you now, he said; you need me, You never could intend to thrust me from you in this hour of pain and distress Oh, l fv I
 She felt too weak to struggle, so she jet her cold, little hand lie still in his, which was warm and strong and com. fort giving. It was he who found at last the spot they sought-a little mound covered with fine bladed, sweet, green grass, which the summer rains had washed and cleansed and frightened and as the girls heart gave q leap to sec the dear and honored name painted or the common little wooden headboard the tears sprang into her eyes and sht fell upon her knees. Forrest knelt, too and for several moments intense stiffness reigned. They were praying, or in the silence of their hearts were thinking thoughts as pure as prayers. Suddenly tue girl began to sob, great wave oI recollection of this gentle father sweep ing over her. She did not knCw how it was, but in some way she was calmed and comforted, and when she found her self presently retracing her steps along the shaded walks, the strong arm giving her sure support and the strong voice saying words that soothed, she saw how true had been his words that he could help her.
 Outside the gates she would havt : paused, but he urged her gently onward No" he said, "our mission is not oveI yet. There-is another spot that we mus lnccl beside together"
 [mpelled by force against which sh, was powerless, she followed where h. guided her steps, and soon they had en
 tered the great portals of the other ceme tery, where the long lines of graves wer
 marked by solid marble stones witt
 heavily carved lettering, and where tn walks were accurately drained and gray ' eled and the various lots defined by soli' l stone curbings.
 I Here a few figures were moving about a early as it was, for this was Memoria I Day, and in the afternoon there was t
 be a celebration of it, with flowers an Q speeches and music; but no one heede
 the quiet pair as they passed along an found their way at last to the grave c a the young officer whose life had been l n n%e7 , E 3M h !, ,.z x SE.L sSazBGEIp 1@y,5.tgs .r--,,fl5,, aI1.s 122:.z-e s''1". E ;, 7EI'F,tI>-IS,. IF ~5>sel55rtEE, ,ta, '