The Van Buren press., 1894-09-22

For . moment she hesitated, and
] then told her of our orders to move
and possibly this would be our last
meeting until the strife was over.
That seemed to decide It, for, look
ing up into my face, she said: 1T Is
useless to tell you of my love for you,
for you must know that it Is as true
and pure rs ever . woman gave to
man,
Reaching up to q branch OF the tree
under which we were sitting, she
pulled tiny sprig and gave It to me,
saying; THAT tree is green as long as
God permits 1t to live. It IL green for.
ever. and SO shall my love for you be.
Only be as true to me as shall be to
you, and when this cruel war is over
hasten back to me and then there shall
be no more parting. My prayers shall
be for you and my darling brother,
for, next to you, love him. Should
you ever meet him again and he should
In any way need assistance, be good to
him for the love give you. Take this
sprig to remind You, II need be, of my
lovo. l shall wear one like 1t every
day until you return"
could not speak, but folded her to
my heart and gave the first golden kiss
Of love.
While young Hammond belonged to
the same army as myself had never
seen him, except once, until the day OF
the execution, when he sent the last
loving message to his sister-my In
tended bride.
When saw him standing before me
It was too late. for in o momen. the
commando; Ready, aim, hre" was
given and Paul Hammond lay dead be-
fore me, by my command.
Who can picture my utter despair at
that moment? As saw the fire flash
from the muzzle Of those muskcts
bade farewell to all hope of happiness
in this life.
Some weeks after the execution re-
ceived letter and instantly recog-
.nized Eugenia's writing.
Enclosed was clipping from Dali
ton newspaper, with my name and her
brothers marked, and long account
of the affair. There was also notice
of the death of her old father caused
by the shock OF his sons death.
She wrote just few lines; shall
never forget them. MAY God forgive
you as do. This gulf can never be
bridged-not even by an idolatrous
love-"
never wrote to her, for felt it was
useless. So time passed, and in the
summer OF 1879 went to the Green
Brler white sulphur springs.
The first evening there saw mag
nificcntly-dressed woman whirling in
the waltz that somehow attracted my
attention. Nearer and nearer she
came and at last our eyes met.
Instantly she sank to the floor, and
just as quickly was she surrounded by
her friends.
saw pinned to her left breast by
beautiful diamond heart u piece Of ar
bor Vita. and l recognized Eugenia,
my lost love.
left the place that night and have
never seen her since. l sometimes
hear of her through friends, and never
has a December passed since the war
that l did not get sprig of arbor
vitm-the emblem Of our love.
l still have her letters in little
caslxet, and sometimes when l am
vexed with the cares OF this life read
them over aud over. In one of them
meet the lines,
II have another life long to meet
Without which life. this life is incomplete
OH swectcr self. like me, art thou astray,
Trying with all thy mind to find the wayt
Striving with all thy might to find the breast
On which alone can weary heart flnd restf''
The mystery of Eugenia's fainting Is
told here for the first time. Should
she read this, let her know that the
love of 1894 is just as strong as that Of
1862
Through the influence of strong
friends Charley Hudson was pardoned
while at the stake, and he is to-day q
leading citizen of our state.
What might have been had l not
changed my number?-RobcrtO o. Doug.
las, In Illustrated American.