The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-07-01
ROMANCE WAR

had more than once turned pale as they
worked over their improvised operating
tables, and all had felt sensation Of
faintness that they did not care to own.
In one corner of the field when the
fight had been the hottest, in a little
grove of half a dozen trees at the angle
of stone wall, Bnelt the colonel of
New York regiment beside the PROSTATE
form of his own lieutenant, young
man of English birth and a great IA
vorite among his comrades. His breath
came slowly and painfully, and when he
strove to speak the lifeblood welled upin
his throat so as to almost chokeall utter
ance.
"Creston, my boy" said the colonel in
the low voice which he always used when
in the presence Of suifering--for the col
onel was as kind aud as gentle asa woman
to the sick-''is there anything more
that | can do for you-any word or mes
sage that you want to send? For you
know
Creston's lips parted with 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 est-open-the-the
inside
The exertion was so great that he could
say no more. The colonel. opening the
vest, drew from an inner pocket a min
iature, the portrait of q young and
beautiful girl, so beautiful that even
then the colonel could not help gazing
upon the likeness with interest and ad-
miration.
"And this?" he questioned as he held
it up to the eyes of his dying comrade
The pale face of the sufferer grew
strangely bright when he looked upon
the bit of painted ivory before him.
In England" he whispered. "she
lives-Densmond in Devonshire-you'l
remember-take her this, yourself-no
one else. Find here in Densmond, Anne
liza Burton. Tell her-I didn't-forgetr-
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 shad-
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 80 very much
in the minority that no one ever cared a
straw what they said or thought
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.
Along the dusty highway a man, well
dressed and evidently a stranger in the
country through which be was passing,
was walking slowly, evidently absorbed
in thought. He was about 40, of a
bronzed complexion and dark hair, now
slightly tinged with gray. On the whole
he was far from handsome, nor did the
scar of saber wound across his fore
head add to his attractions
just now be paused before a cottage
that stood somewhat back from the pub
lie road, almost buried in flowers, like a
modest and retiring cottage that It was.
Sounds of happy laughter came from an
ii -
hedge. Colonel Nathaniel Pember paused
buta moment, however, before he opened
the gate
"Can you tell me, 4" he asked one Of the
party Of young girls that met his view
as he entered, IF you know Of any one
residing in this neighborhood by the
name Of-of Amelia BurtonY
Yes, indeed" answered one Of the
young ladies, with a meaning smile, 'but
you'll have TO hurry, though, for there
viii be no such person here after to-
night"
"She-she Is not sick-not dying, is
sheY questioned the colonel hastily.
''Oh, not at all, answered the young
lady, with pleasant laugh, "only she's
going TO be married to Lord Littel To-
night"
"MarriedT said the colonel, half TO
himself; then aloud, "Can you tell me
where she hves7 l must see her upon
business-something very important"
Its not very far from here. The house
IN the park that you see on the left be
longs to her father. But you must hur-
~. It's after $3.50, and you've scarce an
hour"
Colonel Pember turned and walked
hastily along the road "Narried-mar-
ried-then / am too late. Perhaps not.
/ don't understand it, / can't" And
with every step he took came the re-
frain," Married, married. married.
The next day DenAnond was all ex-
element The daughter Of the Hon.
Crofton Burton had refused at the las,
moment to marry Lord Lorloose Littel
And then, too, the appearance Of thi,
suspicious looking American. That must
not be overlooked. Surely there was
something in this, IF those as knew
would tell" But the Hon. Burton, NJ
p, would tell nothing, and as Lord Lit
tel had left for town that morning D,
could tell nothing, and Miss Burton sh.
had declared that she would tell u1th
ing. So there the matter rested, and
like every other sensation wis ulmos
forgotten 10 days after
Almost. say, for Colonel Pombar ha,
taken lodgings at the Pot and Kettle
aud scarcely a day passed but he mad
his way 10 The Oaks, the residence O.
Mr.. Burton, who seemed 10 have a preg
fancy for his company.
Nor was it long in becoming common
talk that the colonel had returned q
Miss Burton ON the eve of her intonde,
wedding a blood stained miniature th
token Of a schoolgirl love that she hu,
given b Herbert Creston, the villag
ns,er do well, and that as she saw th
picture, stained with bis lfehlood tn
old love had returned, and she had re
tuEpd 10 marry any one elsa
50 passed a year, and again summc
visited the little village, aprinklng th
-1'9lgns with yellow dandolions and th
aGa Eith au muuez .of sHssRes