The Russellville Democrat., 1892-03-17
MARES REVENGE.

NtFNfH@ - ~ NfN-"
The summer day was drawing to
It's elose-a day marked by strife and
shedding Of human blood but the
scene on which the dying sun looked
down was one which bore no remem-
brance of the carnage. The white
tents of the camp were scattered here
and there upon the green sward /;
swords were sheathed, muskets laid
at rest. while tired men, stretched
themselves at length, or quietly
watched the preparation OF the even
ing meal. In the center of one
group of soldiers was tiny figure
on which every eye rested with love,
and whose little hand had been
pressed in turn by each of the rough
and hardened palms she had honored
by her touch. Baby Marie, the reg
iments vivandiere-Baby Marie, the
regiments adopted child. Sixteen
years before she had been born
amongst them; her father killed
in sortie on the day of her birth /;
her mother, unable to bear the cruel
shock, speedily followed him, leav
ing the little one an orphan ere three
days had passed over her uneon
scious head. 1t was strange trust
for these rough, uncouth men to
adopt, butthey kept it royalty. Baby
Marie she was to them still in all the
dignity of her sixteen years; Baby
Marie she would be when the chest
nut curls had faded into gray. Yet
she ruled them with a rod of iron.
She It was who silenced the voice of
complaint or mutiny she who babe
the thief, shamefaeed, restore his
plumber; who babe them bear pun
ishment rightfully deserved ike men.
But she it was who, IN the midst of
shot and shell, held the cup of water
to the thirsty lips, bound up the
bleeding wounds, or bent her plying
head to catch the last whispered
message to mother or sweetheart
from lips fast growing cold.
s'Did ! not tell you we would win
the dayf" now rang out the clear
young voice, as the slight figure
sprang upon the beach beside her,
that she might better look into each
bronzed, rugged face.
my children, | am proud of
you"
As she spoke the words, two
young officers, arm in arm, saun-
tered by.
aWho is that child who calls these
men her ehildrenf" questioned one,
the younger of the pair, whose pro-
motion had but recently transferred
him to the camp
''You do not know Baby Marie,
Gordoni Such ignorance is voted
here close upon treason. She is the
child of the regiment. Not man
belongs to it but would lay down his
life for her. They say her life is
charmed, and to see her vending her
way in the thick of the battle, sue
coring the wounded, one might read
ily believe it. +"
"But what life :" exclaimed
Gordon Graham. Here in the
midst Of the rough, untutored men.
Think Of her old age, Clarence. I'm
loved Unsexed Poor child Is
there no woman's hand to lead her
into other pathsi'
'sHushi She viii hear you.
But the admonition came too late.
A dull, dark flush mantled the girl S
cheek, and two great, hot tears
welled in the deep gray eyes.
"Unsexed, he calls me Unsexed !
Why did | not call upon some Of my
children to avenge the INSULT Cap
tain Gordon Graham, beware /,
Marie, will avenge myself. By the
stars above, / swear it Oh,
mother uother - In a burst Of
bitter sobbing, the little figure, in It's
bright, fantastic dress, a canteen
slung about the slender waist, threw
Itself upon the grOun0.
"Marie ~ The voice which breathed
her name was one whose music she
had learned to know in those long
weeks since she had made her vow
Of vengeance to herself and the stars
Marie :" he repeated, and turning,
she found him at her side.
II have had a letter from my s.s-
ter, little one. | wrote her about
you. Tiff" he hesitated, EN-
barrassed, You would ike to 1T
yourself for some life different to
10 this, She would aid YOU"
stLes / become further unsexed,
/ suppose. Captain Graham, give
YOUR sister Marie's thanks,
but tell her child
Of the regiment dies at her post "