Connecticut western news., 1893-11-09
ROMANCE OF THE WAR

victory was lost and won. And while the defeated army had fallen back to take shelter in the woods and mountain passes the victorious host had en- camped upon the field of action. A thick misty haze hung over the landscape, through which the setting sun shone like great copper shield furnished and ready for combat.
 Since early morn the battle had been in progress, and the carnage was fright ful. Even the sturdiest of the surgeons had more than once turned pale as they worked over their improvised operating tables, and all had felt a sensation of faintness that they did not care to own.
 In one corner of tho field when the fight had been the hottest, in little grove of half dozen trees at the angle of a stone wall, knelt the colonel of New York regiment beside the prostrate form of his own lieutenant, 8 young man of English birth and a great fa- vorite among his comrades. His breath came slowly and painfully, and when he strove to speak the lifeblood welled up in his throat so as to almost choke all utter ance.
 "Creston, my boy" said the colonel in the low voice which he always used when in the presence of suffering-for the col onel was as kind and as gentle as q woman to the sick-''is there anything more that I can do for you--any word or mes- sage that you want to scnd2 For you know"-
 Creston's lips parted with a faint and almost imperceptible motion, and the colonel bending low caught the words, "Lift-me-up."
 ting position, the colonel held him in his own strong arms and gently wiped the red froth from his lips.
 "ColoneT-the words were weak and low-''my vest-open- pen-the-the-pock -inside"-
 The exertion was so great that he could say no more. The colonel, opening the vest, drew from an inner pocket min- iature, the portrait of 8 young and beautiful girl, so beautiful that even then the colonel could not help gazing upon the likeness with interest and ad- miration.
 "And thisf" he questioned as he held it up to the eyes of his dying comrade. strangely bright when he looked upon the bit of painted ivory before him.
 "In England" he whispered. "she hves-Densmond in Devonshire-yol'll remember-take her this, yourself-no one else. Find here in Densmond, Ame- lia Burton. Tell her-I didn't-forget"- A torrent of crimson hfeblood gushed from his lips, and all was over. The colonel arose, folded blanket and placed it beneath the head of the corpse. Then the night winds gathered and whispered among the trees and brushed with their dark pinions the bright, cold drops that stood on the pale forehead of Herbert Creston.
 Already the sun was casting long shads | ows over the landscape around the pretty English village of Densmond in Devon | shire, for Densmond was pretty and everybody said so-that is, everybody who had ever been there said so. And as for those unfortunate beings who had not been there, they were so very much in the minority that no one ever cared a straw what they said or thought. l The day had been hot and sultry, and with the advent of the cooling breezes | of evening every one who could pos | sibly get out of doors did so, for the air was delicious now after the overpower- ing heat of the day.
 l Along the dusty highway a man, well dressed and evidently stranger in the country through which he was passing was walking slowly, evidently absorbed in thought. He was about 40, of g bronzed complexion and dark hair, now slightly tinged with gray. On the whole he was far from handsome, nor did the scar of a saber wound across his fore head add to bis attractions.
 Just now he paused before cottage that stood somewhat back from the pub
 lie road, almost buried in flowers, like g modest and retiring cottage that it was Sounds of happy Laughter came from ar arbor, concealed by the surrounding hedge. Colonel Nathaniel Pember paused but a moment, however, before he opened the gate.
 "Can you tell me" he asked one of ths party of young girls that met his view as he entered, If you know of any on, residing in this neighborhood by tn, name of-of Amelia Burton"
 "Yes, indeed" answered one of th' young ladies, with meaning smile, "bu you'll have to hurry. though, for ther will be no such person here after to night"
 "She-she is not sick-not dying, | sheY' questioned the colonel hastily.
 "Oh, not at all" answered the young lady, with a pleasant laugh, "only she' going to be married to Lord Littel to night"
 "MarriedY' said the colonel, half t, himself; then aloud: Gan you tell m
 where she lives? I must see her upol
 business ss--something very important"
 "It's not very far from here. The hous in the park that you see on the left be