Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-01-26

that seemed other than his own, he pressed
his lips to the miniature, and from that
moment he was madly in love with the
dead soldiers sweetheart, the girl he had
never seen
Somehow, Paul Blake's desire to escape
and rejoin the Federals waned rapidly, and
In his heart there actually grew sympa-
thy for the south, the land that was so
dearly loved by this sweet. and beautiful
girl he now longed but feared to see. He
wondered II she would be deceived, or II
she would read the truth in his face.
Months went by and the correspondence
continued, while Blake's love increased
constantly until he literally adored Mary
st. Orme. Her letters gave him informa-
ton concerning Hatton's former home and
the people the dead man had known until
he finally believed he could return to that
spot in HattOn's place and appear so thor
oughly familiar with everything that no
one would suspect him. Hatton, like
Blake, had been an orphan, which would
make it all the easier for the latter should
he ever venture to visit the unfortunate
soldiers home.
So Paul Blake fought through the re-
mainder of the war as southern soldier,
receiving honorable mention twice for
bravery, but failing to obtain a commits
sion of any sort. When the cause of the
south was defeated and the struggle was
ended, he found himself in position that
filled him with delight and dismay. He
had not ventured to visit Mary on fur
Tough but now he must either go to her at
once or Immediately give up all hope of
ever seeing her.
His decision was soon made; he would
venture it, no matter what the result. AS
he approached the home of Mary ST. Orme,
his feelings may be better imagined than
described. How would she receive himS
The question was soon answered. She
threw herself into his arms, literally faint
ing with jt Later, she said he had
changed some but was still her own true
lover.
Within a month, Paul Blake married
Mary st. Orme. OF course his conscience
troubled him some but her attraction for
him was simply irresistible, and there was
no turning back then.
For more than 20 years Paul Blake lived
as George Hatton, and not even his wife
knew or suspected the truth. Four chill
dren were born to them, and their lives
passed as smoothly as a soft flowing
stream. Blake had no desire to revisit his
old home in New England, as there was
nothing in particular to call him back
there, and not until he lay on his death
bed did the whole startling truth come out.
When he was satisfied he must surely die,
something prompted him to make the rev
citation, even though he feared his wife
would turn from him in horror.
Nothing of the kind occurred. With
her arms about him, she murmured in his
ear:
"You have been faithful and loving
husband, and | have been very happy
with you, dear. To me you are still the
lover who marched away to war.
And so, with her kiss on his lips, he
breathed his last, his conscience clear.
His death occurred some time ago, but it
was only of late that the story of the re-
markable deception became known to a
limited few. 1t was told me on my pledge
not to reveal the real names of any one
concerned, therefore the name of George
Hatton is fictitious as well as that of Paul
Blake and Mary St. Orme