The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1893-05-25

"'Better is a neighbor that is near
than brother far off, he said. L want
to recognize YOU should we meet again.
/ can never thank you
Don't try said. Tell me about
yourself-provc to me that have not
been indiscreet'
"'Iou have acquitted yourself like a
friend and comradr, he replied.
There was no reason that we should
not marry only that our parents and
guardians set their faces like a flint
against it because we were second cous-
ins. We had bccn companions from
childhood. and our growing intimacy
was encouraged. They will always
remain like brother and sister" had
been said scores of times. -.
How strangely some people outlivc
their youth. 1t was so with these. They
could not understand how the bog and
the girl who had romped together and
studied from the same book should,
after separation of n half-dozen years.
fall desperately in love at first sight.
"'Thoy laughed at MS. They said we
We're too young to marry. that it was
only a bit of sentiment enhanced by the
romance of the time and my changed.
appearance in my rcgimcntals. Al
length they said If would give up my
commission and remain at home we
might he married. OF course we both
secuted the idea. was called away
from home on some business arrange
ment, and while absent was unfx-
pectedly recalled to the field. | have no
doubt my wifes mother arranged IL
with my colonel, who is her, kinspau.
| sent message to my love that.
should pass through - junction on
this train and she slipped away to bid
me good by-and returns home as my
wife.
"'She will keep the marriage private,
of course.
Not at all We arranged that. She
will announce herself as my wife and
go at once tonight to my house Thapk
heaven it will now be home; it has not
been so since my mother died :
Poor fellow, he went at once into
the thickcst of the fray. In Il week he
had been promoted to the captaincy Of
his company, and in less than II month
he earned Il colonel's commission; but
| it cost him his life and his body was
carried home for burial. The poor.
young bride had been having stormy
time with relatives, but now from an
object of Indignation she became one Of
intense compassion. Her quiet hut pa.
thetic agony drew both families to her
feet and held them there So young, so
beautiful, SO brave, and so constant,
she has had n legion of admirers, and
it is true that one man at least has re-
manned single for her sake,
! 'She lives quietly, and occupies her.
self in many benevolent. enterprises.
The relatives of deceased soldiers are
her especial charge The parents she
has comforted, the widows she has
cared for, the maiden sisters who have
shared her bounty and the children she
has educated are legion 50 -
1t is only what my husband WOULD
do were he alive she says, i wish to
deserve his commendation, as wen as
my Divine Masters well donew'
"She still wears her widows weeds,
and has always deported herself with
the most beautiful dignity. 'S'~r. - 81
"There, the procession has left the
yard. She is preparing to go. l must
cross over and speak TO her; could not
lntrude before!'. ~ Y..ss
The young people watched almost
' with awe as their uncle limped across
the drive with his-rrutcK''Es a support,
and bent over the, widows hand ~,
Her beautiful face lighted at his
| greeting. e.-..,.. :. 4i,-a. ,
Can it be-, that he meant ,himself?',,
whispered Bertha, SIS that why he has
never married?" :. ,iat - 'i''ses..
He was walking beside the lady. with
bowed head, A. they passed the car
riage the young people caught her low.
spoken words. t4.aaf s4,if ,f's -.,, F,
'All days are. Memorial days TO me- y
she was saying. Annie A. Preston,
: IN Northwestern Christian Advoests ri
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