The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-06-16

JluB OUTSIDE. IL was cooler there, She
felt as if she needed breeze to temper
her words. She wished to be moderate
She had not long to wait for Harlan
Field; he was very prompt. He thought
Maria looked very mice" as she rose to
welcome him. He did not see an omi-
nous flash in her eyes. He ran his ewes
with great satisfaction over the trim
premises. He had really loved Maria
once, as far as he was able to love.
Many would have forgiven the rest fol
the loves sake; but the stern old Puri.
tan justice ranked in Maria's bosom:
and she was patriotic to the core of heI
soul. But Harlan Field believed the old
wrath must have burned out ere this,
and that Maria would receive him with
open and forgiving arms; especially
since Ezra had been dead to her for SO
many years.
When the weather and crops and neigh.
bOrs had been discussed, Harlan drew
his chair little nearer, and his voice
made labored effort to assume tender
ness.
ut seems real clever to get home once
MORE" he said.
you've been gone good many
years. " and the needles began to move a
little faster.
YES. I've been a widower, ten"
You like the South, s'pose."
"Amazin' well. But everything looks
so kinder good and natural here.'
ut do so. We jog along about as ever,
unless something unusual rouses u.s."
You yourself have not grown old very
fast"
The needles clicked faster. Harlan
did not see the lightning in Maria's eyes,
as she simply replied, "Mebbbe not"
1.-The loves of early years can never be
quite forgotten" and Harlan began to
twirl his thumbs.
mo"
"They keep pretty green and tender
through all the changes of life, fol
lowed by vigorous ahem.
'They do so; unless they are slain,-
pizened out"
Just then in the bright moonlight, a
man with hair as white as snow tottered
along the road. His face was young and
attractive, if one did not see the vacant
stare of the once bright eyes; look that
told sad story of reason dethroned.
His step was that of feeble old man.
He wore faded soldiers uniform and
carried flag.
THAT is Ezra Towne, suppose" Har-
Ian remarked, as the figure marched by,
turning neither to the right nor left.
st is"
81 had lost all trace of him till 1 came
home yesterday. hain't written much
to folks, nor they to me. Let's see. He
enlisted with the three-months men, if l
remember"
"He did first" and Maria's voice be-
gan to grow sharp. "When his time
was out-he was in Massachusetts
regiment then--he enlisted in the It'll
Illinois. That was after you went West.
He had friends in it who urged him."
Il think 1 heard so in the time ont
believe he was wounded at Shiloh"
He was. He has been fightin' the
battle again to-day. He has regiment
of boys for soldiers. He gets all the
available ones from all about. They like
it. Ezra is captain. He had just been
promoted, you see."
Strange how it affected him. He's
been crazy ever since, they tell me-"
Yes. At first he came out to battle
only on its anniversary days. Queer but
he is never iavin' only when they try to
keep him from fightin'. They generally
have an eye on him, or some of us do,
but he has his liberty. Wall, he seemed
to keep track of the days somehow,
though he knew no other day from
tother. Then, after while, he would
fghEthree or four times year: then as
many as a dozen times. Lately the freak
has seized him almost every week."
at ;2ust weaken him."
"He's failed dreadful fast this summer.
Mr.. Walker said they had an uncommon
hard battle to-day. The boys were all
beat out, but they enjoy it. OF course
they are not allowed to carry real guns.
1t would be droll if it were not so sad"
II believe-I think-eXcuse me, but
was told you and Ezra were engaged, at
the time" Harlan stammered.
We've been engaged most 16 years,
Mr.. Field" Maria answered proudly.
Where is he going now, do you sup
pose?" Harlan inquired, taken aback by
the ''have been.'' "He lives in the other
Hes going to the burying ground"
'Indeeu! In the evening. Queer
idea!'
'He goes there after every battle.
He's going to put flowers on my grave"
Maria's voice quivered.
ION your gravel" Harlan exclaimed,
for moment thinking she, too, was not
right In her nina.
YES" Maria quietly returned. ''He
thinks am dead Always has. He has
had monument put up with my name
on it, The date is that of our betrothal.
He goes there after every battle, bat
never SO late before"
Poor soul"
"a great deal richer than some know
Of"
Providence smites hard sometimes"
Don't talk religion to me, Harlan
Field. rather hear it from others.
get sharp myself now and then, and say
he devil DEGREES 1t. Anyhow, 1 don't
ike to lay such mean things to the Lord.
The result of pile of wickedness that's
been accommodating a good while, | sup
pose. get mixed sometimes. NV soul
s considerable battered and bruised and
'ent from the blows it has received the
asst 10 years"
Maria kept on knitting. She adhered
20 the old-fashioned home knit hosiery,
md it often served as All escape valve.
II was in hopes 1 might comfort you
ome these late years." Harlan remarked
lumbly.
You've been wrigglin' all ;hese years,
.z.s-=z-.=====