The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-06-16
1 suppose" was the only reply.
Harlan loOked nm in surnIisa

CopperneauS is VenOmouS reptiles,
Maria went on. THAT is what they
called such as you.
THAT is all past, Maria. Let bygones
be bygones," Harlan stammered, twirl-
his thumbs like a top. Maria was a
small morsel, and when the fire flew it
made her almost brilliant. Harlan
watched her with hungry eyes. Her
own were still fine ones. YES" he re-
peated, ''let bygones be bygones."
They've been gone some time, Har-
Ian. 1t took spell to kill 'em. Love,
struggling faith, were tenacious Of life.
But the deadly venom crept all around
the rootlets-that old coppery pizen-
and it choked 'em. They died hard,
though, gasping for breath through
many day
Maria looked at Harlan Field with
cruel, cold eyes. Not particle of SEN
timent remained.
"Have you no forgiveness in your
heart, Maria?"
81 don't seem to feel any sizzling up
for such as you. There are two kinds of
pizen: Pizen by natur' and of circum-
stance. suppose the grain of mustard
seed was in you all the time, only l
didn't know it. All that nonsense was
dead long ago." Maria ended with toss
of her head, as she finally laid her work
down. And then Ezra come" she be-
gan with softened voice. ezra, so
noble, so brave, so true to the old flag.
When l knew him, and contrasted him
with you'll almost hated YOU"
You see l am humble. Humility
means repentance, don't it?" Harlan
ventured, with forced smile.
Not always. 1t is often put on as a
cloak to gain its ends.
And you can never trust me now?
Never believed I've changed?"
mo sir" and the sparks began to
shoot from Maria's eyes. "When Ezra
TOwne and thousands like him were Civ
| ing themselves to die or worse, and
wives and sweethearts at home workin'
and mournin', and brave, you and your
Shiny kind were battlIn' sgainst them;
making it harder and harder with your
meanness. Pm glad had the strength
to tell you loved you no more. Thank
the Lord l was able to endure it ALL
And tonight, Harlan Field, l wonld
marry Ezra Towne instead of you. l
thought would answer your letter by
word of mouth better than by pen. l do
not want to say any more. SO if you'll
please wriggle right along down that
path, and out that gate, I'll be obliged.
Good night
When Maria's wrath had somewhat
cooled after Harlan Fields hasty exit,
she began to wonder what kept Ezra out
so late. She had kept an eye on the
road all the evening, and he must of
necessity return that way home. She
waited till the clock struck o; then she
threw a shawl around her and started
for the burying ground.
81 cannot see what keeps him." she re-
peated again and again. Not far from
the entrance she saw him lying beside
the monument bearing her own name.
Her heart gave one great leap that al
most stifled her. He was so very feeble.
She crept noiselessly up to him. He was
lying with his face toward her; the
white hair brushed back as if burden
to the shapely forehead. A new express
sion seemed to be IN the eyes. Perhaps
it was only the moonlight.
Trembling, Maria knelt beside him, in
the shadow Of friendly tree. Ezra"
she softly breathed, Ezra" will you
come home now?"
A slight turn of the head, a strange.
yearning look in the eyes. then the lips
moved. Little Marie" he said, you
here? How came you herep'
Little Mariep' The old pet name!
3.
She drew little further in the shadow
ard waited. What could she say.
us the ightin' over?"
"All over, dear"
But where are the boys? What
makes it so still?''
1.-THE General ordered it," Maria an
swered in desperation. not daring to try
to guide the returning consciousness.
II was wounded. | must have lain
here quite spell. Have l?
"Quite spell, dear"
''Why don't they come to dress my
wounds?'
"They are all dressed, dear"
"Are they? l must have lost great
deal of blood to be so weak" He feebly
raised his hand as if to feel the wound.
"You must not touch it dear. The
surgeon ordered it," Maria replied,
frightened at the thought of his finding
it all healed.
Ezra obeyed her like a child. Then
the lips moved again. And you come,
little Marie. God bless you. Bend this
way and let me see your face"
Maria leaned over, caressingly smooth
ing the white hair, once so beautiful and
brown. She hoped the shadows would
keep the secret that Little Maria's face
was almost IS years older.
"Brave 7th Illinois," Ezra went on
lie was lying on the battlefield of Shi-
lob, where he fell wounded on the second
of those dreadful days. 1--WE supported
a battery of the largest guns. But re-
membered you, Maria. The heavens re-
sounded with the thunder of artillery,
and wars dreadful din and cries were all
about us; but my little girls voice was
heard above it all. Kiss me, dear"
Maria kissed the pale lips; a tear
dropped on the white forehead.
Don't cry now, dearie. 1t is all over.
came out of it alive, thank God. How
nice and quiet it is here; so pleasant.
We lay out all that April night with no
cover. 1t rained most all night, it seems
to me-"
Maria did not speak; only clasped Ez- |
ra's hand in one of hers, and managed to |
press the fingers of the other on the |
flickerng pulse.
But we fought lilke-like-yes we did,
Marie" What was it she heard! The |
faintest laugh. Ezra TOwne had not |
laughed for over IL years. "Old Buell. |
got here at last" and the soldier blood
began 20 quicken. 81 ought not to
speak so, suppose, but he did seem so
mortal slow. We got wind Of things. l /
tell you they were against us yesterday.
Or was it day before? How long have l |
been here MariaP IL was AGAINST us at