Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-03-28
HER PANSIES.

| "GoodbyP' 1t was madness of fare
wells. They stood looking into each
others eyes with blanched faces Would
he ever come back9 Her wide eyes grew
desolate as she looked at him. Then the
lashes dropped over them and she lay mo
tionless against his breast for a second, as
though the spirit had died within her.
"Jeannette, is this the girl fitted to be
soldiers wife2 Have you no regard for
my honor?" His voice quivered, but his
eyes looked down upon her proudly
Eyes" She reused herself bravely.
"Your duty is at the front. would not
hold you back"
She placed her hand ON the bunch of
pansies at her throat-royal beauties they
were with great velvety hearts of purple
and gold.
''They are my colors" she whispered
"Wear them, my knight, and be true to
your lady always"
Her trembling fingers pinned them in
side his coat
God be with YOU"
She kept the tears back, smiling into his
face, though the drumbeat sounding in
the street below seemed like death knell
1t was the signal to start-the signal for
the volunteers, the brave men who went
| Oi LOT bIlt luuldu WIZ, UHlS uTeduIul WAR
that had come like n blight upon her beau
tiful western home.
"Goodby, and God bless you'll The pan
sizes will be my talisman."
The most intense excitement ragged in
the mining camp. Ever since the news
had come that the old chief was on the
warpath and the call had been made for
volunteers to defend the settlers on the
| froptiar tba tp1 Ind hoat, ali liya ,uif
anxious to obtain the scalps of the blood
thirsty redskins
Among them none was more fearless or
more brave than Ned Ashby. He was one
of the young pioneers who had struck a
bonanza in the mines More than that Ito
use the phraseology of the mining camp,
he had located u claim on the prettiest girl
in the town and patented it-a stroke of
good luck that had made him more envied
among the boys than even his mining
shares in the May Queen.
Then came the news of a fierce battle be-
tween the Utes and Major Thornburg's
men, in which many were wounded on
either side. Her father came home at
noon with an open letter in his hand.
She took it silently and read:
Edward Ashby was wounded in the bat
tie of the -th inst"
She did not faint, though he had expect
ed she would, but her face blanched until
it WAS like marble and her eyes grew large
and black, glowing like stars.
81 must go and nurse him." she said
Her father laid his hand upon hers.
Dear child, this is folly-the talk of in
sanity You cannot CO." he said
The color leaped to her cheeks and her
eyes flashed.
II must CO." she cried.
He could not say no then. He knew her
nature so we'll Thwarted in this desire
she might die.
81 cannot go with you, Jeanette. Can
you go alone"
She drew herself up grandly. 1t was the
proud right of the western American girl
She knew no fear
"Yes."
At the next morning her favorite horse
Plato stood ut the door. At nightfall she
was at the springs fifty miles away. 1t
1t was popular summer resort and many
guests had been there but at the first
news of war most of them had fled to the
eastern towns
The general, who had headquarters near
the springs and who had heard of her ar.
rival and her purpose, sent for her in the
evening.
She came to him with eager eyes for the
tidings just received by "A courier from the
scene of battle. Beyond the springs there
was no telegraph wires, and the couriers
rode day and night over the dangerous
Indian trails to bring the dispatches
"Is there-any news of him?" she falt-
cred
'Yes." The generals voice almost
| loha kn La ,aJ Of bar liz.
break the heart of this brave young crea-
ture, whose great love made her so beauti
full, its unselfsh purpose shining from
every featureS- How could he tell her the
cruel truth with those love-lit, starry eyes
fixed so unhnchingly upon his9 Child
he said, his hand upon hers, even as her
fathers had been, his eyes full of kindness,
his stern voice suddenly tender, your
lover is deadl The courier just in states
that he died yesterday afternoon.
Not one word came from her lips The
great eyes gave him one stricken look, and
then she fell just where she stood at his
feet, like helpless, broken reed.
He lifted herup gently and called for as
sstance. But in a little while she revived
rising to her feet with the cid, brave de
termined look on her pale face.
; 81 must 20 with him." she said. "They
will bury him there and | shall never look
upon his face again. ! must gop'
IAN escort of my best and bravest mer
, shall accompany you," he said "They
will protect you and bring the body here. ;
, "Thank you"
, 1t was all she could say, but tears ol
} gratitude rose in her eyes as she bent low
} over his extended hand
J Then for the first time she learned the
full particulars of her lovers exploit; how
he had led the scouting party, rushing
bodily into the very face of the foe. and by
this action saving the military from the
ambush tie savages had prepared fol