Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-03-28
HAWTHORNE, ESMERAIDA COUNTY, NEVADA, MARCH

them. In moment the battle had begun
but ere his comrades were hand to hand
with the redskins, who seemed to lurk be.
hind every bush and tree, this bold young
soldier had met his fate falling with his
face to the foe.
AT least he died like hero" her heart
whispered whenever the bitterness of her
woe threatened to overwhelm her.
Two days later, after a long and weary
journey, her little party reached the sol.
diers' camp. The boys had intrenched
themselves behind small knoll overlook.
ing the surrounding country, fortifyng
themselves with earthworks against any
attacks from the Indians. All things
seemed, for the present, peaceful.
AT sight of her the boys raised cheer.
Many OF the militia knew her, and they
We're proud of her, They knew her for
what she was-a brave, heroic girl, purely
sweetly womanly yet ready MS any OF her
brothers to take the weapons from her
belt and defend her life or that of any she
loved-a girl imbued with all the glory and
strength of her native mountains
She acknowledged the cheers with a
sweet grave dignity. Then the leading Off
Ger in her escort whispered something to
the major ere he helped her to dismount
She caught the reply ltmade her trem
BILE, but with the suspicion of great joy
not sorrow
mot deadl" were the words which came
from her white lips with gasp
"No"-tbe major came to her side quick
ly-"the courier made mistake 1t was
Ned Sampson who died Ashby yet lives,
though he lies still almost ut death s. door
The major led the way into the tent
where the wounded man lay. motioning
the guard aside Then he left her, followed
by the young officer who had been in at
tendance.
Taking up the hand that lay so helpless
against the rough blankets she pressed it
to her lips, and then for the first time the
tears fell from her eyes-fell in IA hot blind
ing mist. What pain and anguish had not
done joy had accomplished-joy that he
still lived and that she had reached him in
time to give all her young life to his care
and service.
His coat--the one he had worn when
parting from her-lay on the bed. Her
eyes darkened as she saw the stains OF
blood and the bullet hole She took 1t in
her hands, examining it keenly There
were the pansies faded and worn, still
pinned inside. The bullet had passed
through just above them.
"Had the bullet struck him an inch
lower it would have been fatal" one of
the men afterward told her.
Perhaps the panses by some subtle in
fiuence had saved him; perhaps her own
spirit in that moment of agony had passed
into them, making them indeed real tai
isnian to protect him. She loved to think
this. that God had answered her earnest
prayers by investing these, her chosen
flowers. with the power to save his life.
1t was only girish fancy, but it made
her happy She took the dead, sweet bios
SONS and laid them tenderly away. Until
they became dust these faded flowers
would be sacredly cherished
Jeanette came to Ned's bedside one day
with look of joy upon her lovely face 1t
was like u TRANSPORTATION.
Ned" she cried, with a return of her
old life and spirit. 'the war is over Peace
is declared and we are going to take you
home tomorrow morning.
For answer he silently pressed the small
warm hand that crept into his own. When
ever was there sweetheart so tender and
true, so beautiful and brave.
w uell Incy TctCIcu tuc lOuu
wild were the cheers given for the brave
boys returning from the war. and not only
for the boys but for the brave girl who
had dared to go to the front for loves sake
Under the glorious sweep of the spangled
flag she rode, her cheeks ahame like the
crimson stripes, and her eyes splendid with
the sunlight of love.
81 know it was the pansies that saved
you," she whispered to Ned when they
stood once more together under the shadow
of their own beautiful, royal tinted mount
aims "'rhe pansies have human faces, and
believed God has invested every blossom
with graces and power which we do moi
understand
Her tall lover, looked down upon the
sweet face uplifted to his, smiling at the
girlish folly. yet touched by the pure
faith in it,
And, after all, who shall say that she
was not right?-New York World.