The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-05-27

emerald, from the verdure depths oi
which cleaned vari-hued blossoms
whose blended odors were borne in
through open window and doorway.
The golden sunset glow had gradual
ly faded from the west, and the soft
gray of the twilight crept adown the
srcntler slopes of the far-off hills and
-sCross the level plain, till all the earth
at tS:Ded embodied in its shadow.
Anna Brown had been watching the
scrne from her seat in the deep window
recess, but as the twilight stiffness be-
Can to grow oppressive, she stepped
out through the window, and, descend
ing the broad stone steps of the veranda,
So passed down the graveled path,
stopping beside a sweet syringa, whose
wealth Of snowy bloom poured incense
all about her. Favorite flower of hers,
and favoYite also of-anOther.
uumming a snatch of half sweet.
half sad melody, she scanned the
E5wering shrub in the deepening
gloom, and, spying a cluster of bios
so.ns barely within her reach, she put
Up her hand and stood tiptoe to grasp
hind startled her and another hand
u th q farther reach was extended
55ore hers. and, grasping, broke from
liz bough the cluster of flowers. while
a voiee which both her ear and her
QNG7t recognized said: 81 wish l might
n ways gain for you such of life's
lCnged-tor treasures as lie beyond your
easy reach"
Then while he begged her to let him
fasten them in the coils of her raven
hair she marked the little quaver in
mis- voice and that the hands grew un-
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
the hearts of women; when hearts that
one moment ran high with joy were
Ihe next low plunged in the depths of
despair; when, indeed, "eyes looked
love to eyes that spake again." but
snoke only to tell of coming separation
for years. perhaps-and, "oh, sad
perhaps" for to how many it meant
forever! 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
tho necks of stalwart youths who
had but just begun to be the stay of
their infirmity of years. Wives with
G!aDchcd lips quivering bade adieu to
the husband and father. gazing agoniz-
ingiy by turns at the going helper and
the staying helpless, the dependent
ones, whose infant lips called him ia
dhc-" and hung on him for support
All, You who had no part in the
sCrnes, too young to realize the anguish
all about you, Praise God from whom
all blessings flow" and then join in the
prayer with US that never again may
the black and blood dripping wings OF
war cast shadow on cur 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 of feet kept
time to the martial strains All! if only
that were all there is of war.
But to our theme. The unsteady
hands, when they had fastened the
snowy blossoms in place. caught in
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, l must tell you all have to
say to you quickly, and you will pardon
my impetuosity when you understand
all You must have seen all along how
much love you. had not thought to
speak of 1t till had accomplished GER
tain undertakings, but events have
crowded me TO a declaration. Tell me
that you love me in return. and promise
me that when-when / can claim You,
you will be my wife
81 do love you, George, and will be
your wife whenever you want me- But
something has happened, George, or
something is going 10 happen, orwell,
I do not understand your actions. You
are usually more calm and self
possessed. Do tell me-
MY own darling, l have enlisted,
and in very short time will be on my
way TO join the forces already in the
field. There, 90 not be so startled.
Anna. Ishould have been less abrupt,
but it is all so sudden, to myself even,
.shat can scarcely realize it.