The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-02-17

country, fortifying themselves with
earthworks against any attacks from
the indians. All things seemed, for
the present, peaceful.
At sight of her the boys raised a
cheer. Many of the militia knew her,
and they were proud of her. They
knew her for what she was-a brave,
heroic girl, purely, sweetly womanly,
yet ready as any of her brothers to
take the weapons from her belt and de-
tend her life or that of any she loved
a girl imbued with all the glory and
strength of her native mountains.
She acknowledged the cheers with a
sweet. grave dignity; then the leading
oificer IN her escort whispered some-
thing to the major ere he helped her
to dismount.
She caught the reply. 1t made her
tremble, but with the suspicion of a
great joy, not sorrow.
NOT dead." were the words which
came from her white lips with gasp.
NO, the ma ,or came to her side
qulckly-"the courier made a mistake.
1t was Ned Sampson who died. Ashby
yet lives. though he lies still almost at
death door"
The major led the way into the tent
where the wounded man Law, motion
ing the guard aside. Then he left her,
followed by the young officer who had
been in attendance.
His coat-the one ie had worn when
parting from her-lay on the bed. Her
eyes darkened as she saw the stains
of blood and the bullet hole. She took
it in her hands. examining it keenly.
There were the pansies, faded and
worn, still pinned inside. The bullet
bad 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 passed into them. making them
indeed real talisman to protect him.
She loved to think this That God had
answered her earnest prayers by in
3esting these, her chosen flowers, with
the power to save his life.
1t was only a girlish fancy, but it
made her happy. She took the dead,
sweet blossoms and laid them tenderly
away. Until they became dust these
faded flowers would be sacredly cher
ished.
Jeanette came to Ned's bedside one
day with a look of joy upon her lovely
face: 1t was like a TRANSPORTATION.
Ned" she cried, with return Of
her old life and spirit, "the war is
over. Peace is declared and we are
going to take you home tomorrow
morning"
For answer he silently pressed the
small, warm hand that crept into his
own. Whenever was there a sweet
heart SO tender and true, so beautiful
and brave2
When they reached the springs loud
and wild were the cheers given for the
brave boys returning from the war and
not only for the boys, but for the brave
girl who had dared to 60 to the front
for loves sake. Under the glorious
sweep of the spangled flag she rode,
her cheeks afiame like the crimson
stripes, and her eyes splendid with the
sunlight of love.
Il know it was the pansies that saved
YOU" she whispered to Ned when they
stood once more together under the
shadow of their own beautiful royal
tinted mountains. "The pansies have
human faces and 1 believe God has in
vested every blossom with graces and
power which we do not understand. !"
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 right?