The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-05-25

young orphans care and early school
ing. MILFORD proved to be an ambitious
boy, and not only studied diligently.
but managed to earn and save money
enough to take him through college.
He determined to adopt his fathers
profession, and after graduating secured
a position in the Office of prominent
law firm, and when twenty-five years
old was admitted to the bar. He opened
an office, and before two years had sped
he realized, as did the clients whom he
served, that he had not mistaken his
vocation.
1t was during this two years of bud
ding success that MILFORD Ormsby and
Margie Wheaton were thrown together
in the social swim and became the cyno-
sure of all the matchmaking eyes of
Elmwood.
Thus to the good people of Elmwood
it appeared that these two young peo-
pie were exactly fitted for each other,
and it was confidently hoped and ex-
pected that Margie would cease her
coquctrics and become the true woman
! they knew she could be.
When Margie Wheaton parted from
MILFORD after delivering her sarcastic
refusal of his suit, the young man bit
his lips with vcxation as he looked after
her retreating form.
80, Margie, Margie; l have read your
heart too WE'LL" he said to himself;
with all your caprice my own heart
tells me that you love me; how utterly
wrctchcd | would be, did | not feel this
assurance just now! l shall surely see
Margie tomorrow night at the ball,
and must have an answer then"
MILFORD concluded rightly when he
said he would see Margic at the ball.
She was there, gloriously radiant in
her beauty, and even those who had
known her longest had never seen her
so vivacious before. To MILFORD she act
ed with free and unaffected cordially
which entirely precluded any possible
chance of n serious conversation. Along
toward the close, however, they did
meet for few brief moments, and
were alone.
"Margic, dear" said MILFORD, 81 was
too much in earnest yesterday as | ar
tonight for you to treat me SO flippant
"; for heavens sake, Margie, listen To
me. | am going away and | want you
to promise to be my wife if ever come
back"
II think, sir, it must be unnecessary
for me To reply to that very vagu,
proposition again, rs have just now {
very definite one To dance in the SCI
just forming with the gentleman you
SO much object to. l must beg you Il
excuse me-"
AS Margic was hurrying away, vii
ford caught her passionately by tn,
hand and cried: Listen to me, Margie
do listen to me for moment; don't le
me think you are heartlcss; may never
come back alive"
But Margie had released herself ,leav
ing portion of her bouquet. which
MILFORD had passionately clutched il
his hand Tossing the rest of the flow
ers toward him as she sped away, shC
said, with half laugh: "Well, sir, il
you come back dead l will promise t.
decorate your grave with flowers"
Margie did not realize how heartless
were her words until the next day
when she discovered that Wilford's go
ing away meant that he had enlisted
and some time later she had reason tc
remember her promise to decorate his
grave with flowers.
The war of the rebellion was nearly
at an end. The country had gone
through with this terrible disaster, and
the dawn of peace was like white dove
tlutteNng over the nation, gradually