The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-05-27

Better is neighbor that is near
than brother far off, he said. L want
to recognize you should we meet again.
l can never thank you
Don't try 1 said. Tell me about
yourself-prove to me that have not
been indiscreet.'
"'You have acquitted yourself like
friend and comrade,' he replied.
There was no reason that we should
not marry only that our parents and
guardians set their faces like flint
against it because we We're second cous-
| ins. We had been 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 outlive
their youth. 1t was so with these. They
could not understand how the boy and
! the girl who had romped together and
studied from the same book should,
after a separation of half-dozen years.
! fall desperately in love at first sight.
"'They laughed at us. They said we
were too young to marry; that it was
only bit Of sentiment enhanced by the
romance of the time and my changed
appearance in my regimentals. At
A., length they said if would give up my
commission and remain at home we
might be married. OF course we both
secuted the idea. was called away
from home on some business arrange
ment, and while absent was unex.
pectedly recalled to the field. have NO
doubt my wife's mother arranged 1t
with my colonel, who is her kinsman.
i sent a message to my love that !
should pass through - junction sn
this train and she slipped away to bid
me good by-and returns home as my
wife,
"'shc 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, Thank
heaven it will now be home; it has moi
been SO since my mother died.
poor fellow, he went at once .ntc
the thickest of the fray. In week he
had been promoted to the captaincy oi
his company, and in less than month
he earned colonel's commission; bu,
it cost him his life, and his body wa.
carried home for burial. The poo.
young bride had been having stormy
time with relatives, but now from ar
object of Indignation she became one O!
intense compassion. Her quiet but pa
thetic agony drew both families TO he,
feet and held them there. So young, sc
beautiful, so brave, and SO constant
she has had legion of admirers, ano
1t is true that one man at least has re
mained single for her sake.
"She lives quietly, and occupies her
self in many benevolent enterprises
The relatives of deceased soldiers ar.
her especial charge. The parents sh,
has comforted, the widows abe In,
cared for, the maiden sisters who hav,
shared her bounty, and tho children sh,
has educated are legion.
1T is only what my husband woult
do were he alive she says. Il wish X
deserve his commendation, as we'll .,
my Divine Masters "well donew'
"She still wears her widows wesda
aid has always deported herself will
the most beautiful dignity.
'Therc, the procession has left th,
yard. She Is preparing 70 60. l mus
cross over and speak to her; could NO
intrude beforei"
The young people watched slrnos
with awe ~ their uncle limpsd scros
the drive with his crutch ss support
and bent over the widows hand.
Her beautiful face lighted ~ hi
greeting
"Can II be that he meant himselfP'
whispered Bertha. "Is that why he ha
never marriedp'
He was walking beside the lady, will
bowed head. A. they passed the car
riage the young people csught her low
spoken words.
"All days are Memorial days TO me-
she was sayinR. Mrs. Annie A. Preston
IN Northwestsrn chrisfss AdvocatA