Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-05-26

emerald, from the verdure depths of
which cleaned vari-hued blossoms
whose blended odors were borne in
through open window and doorway.
The golden sunset glow had gradual
1y faded from the west, and the soft
gray OF the twilight crept adown the
pentler slopes of the far-of hills and
across the level plain, till all the earth
seemed EMBODIED in its shadow. o
Anna Brown had been watching the
scene from her seat in the deep window
recess but as the twilight stiffness be-
gan to grow oppressive, she stepped
out through the window, and, descend
ing the broad stone steps of the veranda,
she passed down the grayeled patti
stopping beside a sweet syringa, whose
wealth of snowy bloom poured incense
all about her. Favorite flower of hers,
n I'd favorite also of-another.
Hunming snatch Of half sweet,
half sad melody, she scanned the
towering shrub in the deepening
gloom, oand, spying cluster of bios
SONS barely within her reach, she put
up her hand and stood tiptoe to grasp
tile coveted prize. But soft step be-
had startled her and another hand
with a farther reach was extended
:. 5ove hers, and, grasping, broke from
the bough the cluster of flowers. while
a voice which both her ear and her
1,na-t recognized said 81 wish 1 might
=z~ays gain for you such of life's
IOaged-for treasures as lie beyond your
easy reach"
Then while he begged her to let him
fastcn them in the coils of her raven
hair she marked the little quaver in
MS voice and that the hands grew I'M
steady while they worked. But you
VIII not wonder at that nor at what
follows when tell you this was way
back in those dreadful Sixties" those
years that tried the souls of men and
che hearts of women; when hearts that
one moment ran high with JOY were
che next low plunged in the depths of
despair; when, indeed, ''eyes looked
love to eyes that spalze again." but
sroke only to tell of coming separation
for years. perhaps-and, ''oh, sad
perhaps" for to how many it meant
fCr-everb Oh, the horrors of war!
In those days mothers kissed, in
parting, the scarce bearded lips of
sons, who, it seemed to them, had but
Just left the cradles over which they
had sung their Hush, my dear, lie
Still and slumber." Fathers hung on
she necks OF staiwart youths who
Cad but just begun to be the stay of
G5heir infirmity OF years. Wives with
blanchcd lips quivering babe adieu to
the husband and father, gazing agoniz-
ingly by turns at the going helper and
the staying helpless, the dependent
ones, whose infant lips called him ''fa-
thcr'' and hung on him for support.
All, you who had no part in the
i
all about you, Praise God from whom
ali blessings how," and then join in the
prayer with US that never again may
the black and blood dripping wings OF
war cast a shadow on our fair land. To
you, perhaps. there was only the grand
eur of the army with banners" the
inspiring melody of fife and drum, -
the gracefulness of the uniformed body
OF soldiers, as hundreds of9eet kept
time to the martial strains All, if only
that were all there is of war. G
But to our theme. The unsteady
hands, when they had fastened the
snowy blossoms in place, caught il
their grasp the steadier hands of Anna
Brown, and while she was somewhat
startled at the suddenness OF the whole
affair, George Earle broke out with:
Anna, must tell you all have tc
say to you quickly. and you will pardon
my impetuosity when you understand
all Yon must have seen all along bow
much love you 1 had not thought K
speak of it till I had accomplished Ger
tain undertakings, but events have
crowded me TO a declaration. Tell ma
that you love me in return, and promiss
me that when-when / can claim YOU
you will be my wife"
''I do love you. George, and 1 viii b;
your wife whenever you wait me. Blu
something has happened, George, O
something is going to happen. Orwell
I do not understand your actions Yo'
are usually more calm and Self
possessed. Do tell me-
MY own darling, have enlisted
and in q very short time will be on n,
way to join the forces already IN tn
field There, do not be so startled
Anna i should have been less abrupt
but it is all so sudden, to myself even
that cap scarcely realize Il"