Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-01

soldier had met his fate, falling with mis-
| face to the foe.
''At least he died like a hero her
heart whispered whenever the b;ttern ess
of her woe threatened to overwhelm her.
Two day later, after a long ana weary
journey, her little party reached The
soldiers camp The boys had entrenched
| themselves b ,hind a small knoll owe. look
ing the surrounding country, terrifying
themselves with earthworks against any
attacks from the Indians. All things
| seemed, for the present, peaceful.
At sight of her the boys raised cheer.
Many Of the militia knew her, and they
were p1 oud of her. They kney her for
what ne was-a brave, heroic girl, purely,
sweetly, womanly, yet ready as any of her
brothers to fake the weapons from her
belt and defend hei life or that of any
she loved-a girl inbued with all the glory
and strength Of her native mountains.
she acknowledge the cheers with a
sweet, grave dignity; then the leading
officer in her e. cort whispered something
to the major ere he helped her to dis
% cunt.
She caught the reply. 1t made her
tremble, but with suspicion of great
JOY, not sorrow:
mot deadi' were the words which
came from her white ps with a gasp.
"No.''-the major came to her side
quick y-"the courier made mistake. 1t
was Ned Simpson who died. Ashby yet
lives, though he lies sill almost at deaths
door :"
The msj,r led the way into the tent
where the wounded man lay, motioning
the guard aside Then he left her, follow
ed by the young officer who had been in
at ,ndance.
Taking up the hand that lay so helpless
against the rough blankets, she pressed it
to her lips, and then for the first time the
tears fell from her eyes-fell in a hot,
binding mist. What pain and anguish
had not done Joy had accompllshed-jo
that he still live and that she ad reach
ed him in time to give all her young life
to his care and service.
His coat-th6 one he had worn when
parting from her-lay On the bed. Her
eyes darker ed as she saw the stains of
blood and the bolIet hole. She took it in
her hands, examining it keenly. There
we're the pansies faded and worn, still
pinned inside. The bullet had passed
through just above them.
clad the bullet struck him an inch
lower it would have been fatal" one OF
the men afterward told her.
Perhaps the pansies by some subtle
influence had saved him; perhaps her own
spirit in that moment of agony had pass
ed into them, making them indeed real
talisman to protect him. She loved to
think this. That God has answered her
earnest prayers by investing these, her
chosen flowers, with the power to save
hrs life.
1t was only girlish fancy, but it made
her happy. She took the dead sweet bIoF-
sons and laid them tenderly away. Un-
til they became dust these faded f)wers
would be sacredly cherished.
Jeanette came TO Ned's bedside one
day with a look Of joy upon her lovely
fac. twas like TRANSPORTATION.
''Ned, she cried, with a return Of her
old life and spirit, 1.-The war is over.
Peace is declareda1d we are going to take
you home to morrow morning.
For an answer he silently pressed the
small, warm hand that crept into his own.
Whenever was there sweetheart SO ten
der and true, so beautiful and brave
{. When they rescued the SPRINGS loud and
wild were the cheers given for the brave
boy IS returning from The war, and net only
for the boys, but for the trave gin who
had dared to 60 to the front for iova's
sake. Under the glorious sweep ST the
spangled flag she rode, her checks atd ame
like the crimson stripes, aud hsr eyes
splendid with the sunlight Of love.
Il know it was the pansies that saved
you,' she whispered 70 Ned when they
stood once more together under the shadow
OF their own beautiful rcyai-tintea n oun-
tains. "The pansies have human faces
aud beli9ve'S ID has investedsevery bios
som with graces and power which we do
not understand. i
Her tall lover looked down upon the
sweet face uplifted to his, smiling at the
girlish folly, yet touched by the pure faith
In it
And, after all, who shall say that she
was not right2