The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-04
5Y aOOrY. PUBLISHING Co. Isaa.

ness and Of course rejected, by which it
would seem that up to that time De
Courtney still supposed thathis wife was
o millionaire's daughter. A report was
also current that De Courtney was but
an obscure adventurer, and when he
found how he had been overmatched In
duplicity by the crafty Estella he had de-
serted her, saying that his wealth and
high titles were but imaginary and that
wife and children waited for him in
America.
This information had been communi
Gated to Mr.. Newton by freeman, the
former partner in the old business, and
anxious to ascertain il there was any
foundation for the report he made in.
quiries.
Nothing satisfactory could be learned,
however. ThEt Maud had received some
tidings of her sister was apparent, but
equally SO that her husband was quite
unwilling her former friends should
learn anything from them of her condi.
tion. On this point for once Maud co
iIicided with her husband. She cher
ished too bitterly the memory Of her sis
ter's dishonorable desortion to allow; one
emotion Of pity for her disappointment:
to find place in her heart.
The splendid equipage, costly furniture
and magnificent attire with which Var
ney had bought his bride lost their value,
and her heart cried out for the love she
had so madly thrown away. And other
sources of unhappiness opened before
her. 1t took not many weeks for her to
learn that an imbecile and superannuated
husband was not so safely scorned and
slighted as she had fancied. Her ex-
travagance he could well afford and
easily overlook, but contempt and insults
unhesitatingly cast upon him he would
not brook, and the misguided woman
was shortly made to feel that an old
mans unrestrained exhibition OF vindic-
tive wrath was not the least miserable
part Of her existence,
Already had the call for hospital stores
reached every town and village, and
many active and energetic women were
banded together to work for the sick and
wounded among our brave defenders
who might soon be needing this aid.
The letters that comforted our friends
from their absent ones almost daily
kept them very thoroughly informed Of
the privations of the soldiers, and every
moment they could be spared from nee
essary labor was conscientiously devot-
ed to preparing articles for those so well
deserving the care.
One evening when the ladies' were
quietly at work sewing, scraping lint or
knitting army mittens and Alfred dih-
gently improving the precious hours in
sttdy Mr. Newton came in from the |
village with papers and a letter froJ
George, saying:
"0ur boys win not complain much !
longer Of inactivity, think. There is |
every indication OF some important move
ments, and if our generals lead the men
into the field efficiently we may hope
that this sad rebellion will soon be |
qnelled and peace once more bless the
land"
q Georges letter was written in the hur- /
rs and excitement Of preparing his men
for action the next day. 1t was short
but full of zeal and courage. He spoke i
in high praise of the men under his com.
mand.
"You will have no cause to blush, dear
ones, if we bear ourselves half as gal |
lantly on the field as these privates will
do. A set of more earnest, determined
men never saw.
i''1t would be glorious if our generals
were as ready to give themselves as un-
selfishly to their country's service as are
our common soldiers, but greatly fear
that at the beginning our work will bo
1Rl kAn
months, when weeks should end it, by
the maneuvering of those in command,
some of whom appear to be thinking far
more of their own petty political am
bitions than Of the glory and honor Of
onr country.
MY dear Lillian, If all our leaders
were as kind, yet firm, as trustworthy
and pure hearted as your noble husband,
feel that a very short time would suf-
fee to bring peace and good will once
more to bless our lar J."
Tears were falling rilently when the
letter was ended, but Roses eye alone
was undimmed. After moments pause
she stepped softly to her mothers side,
saying:
~ waited but for this, dear father and
mother, and now must reveal my in
tsntions and crave your blessing, feeling
sure you will raise no objections TO that
which l solemnly believe to be a call Of
duty. wish to offer myself as a nurse
and secure place near my brothers, and
if possible would be there before any
battle, that l may be near whatever be
their fate. Will you let me leave tomor-
row?''
"Why, my dearest Rose" exclaimed
her mother, ''you could not be ready
even IL 1t were wise for you to undertake
such mission. Think how little you
know Of nursing. my dear girl; how
little you have been accustomed to such
depriyations as you must meet in that
situation; how little you have seen Of
wounds and pain and agony"
''More reason, mother. that I should
now learn. As for deprivations, have /
not known as much as have my brothers
before they left usi Our men must risk
life and limb in this struggle, and have
our women no sacrifices to make? For
some time have been trying to find
something that could do. and for time
felt my sex shut me off from every ear
nest manifestation of love for my country
that required any self denial. But within
q few weeks Lillian made my path clear
before me when sbe SO earnestly besought
her husband and parents to allow her to
do what / should have done before and
would do now. The reasons that sus-
tanned her will not hold in my case.
Some must stay by the stair at home,
for we all know that work absolutely
necessary to the comfort and strength OF
those who go out from among us is to be
done here as well as in the field.'
Rose had spoken clearly and without
excitement, such as was visible among
all her listeners. All were much sur
prised, and after she ceased they re-
manned silent for some moments. Then