Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-23
Sergeant Stone.

I then. He dreamily looked out the WIN
| dow and whistled sofuy:
Say 'au revoir.' but not 'good-by.'
Not a doubt entered his mind but that
Adele was true. II can talk her over II
| she Is still obstinate" thought he. and
/ l can buy my discharge. Then we Will
get married and 1.-Two at the old place. She
will at least give me credit for having
| done my best Yes, ] think ] Will go
! home"
His revcrlcs were rudcly disturbed by
| the sound OF Private Finnerty's voice
right under his window saying:
Sure. an IN new major hoy come ter
| take command iv us. He's been at a
posth down South. hovin of a foine aisy
tonne av il. He's fetched his wolfe wild
| i'm too. Dom me, but she's as pretty
as n spotted purp. An she's got tn
prettest pair Nv blue eyes thot oil iver
saw. oh she's swate. sure
Sergeant Stone moved away from the
window still whistling softly. He was
thinking Of Adele--of home. He could
see her sitting in the moonlight playing
and singing. He could almost hear the
wind as II rustled softly through the
magnolia leaves, or murmured sadly
through the long gray festoons of Span
ish moss. He thought of all the haunts
OF his boyish days. and Of his mother
sleeping peacefully beneath the cedars i'm
the lonely little burying-ground on the
| hill. lie remembered the path that he
| and Adele followed when they were chill
drcn and went To school together. He
wondered If she had hanged. and IL she
loved him as much as ever. The idea
that she would cease loving him never
entered his mind. She had said she
would always care for him. and that left
not doubt for him.
He spoke pleasantly to one Of the SOL
diers who passed by. and that individual
was 50 surprised that he could only
stare.
Something's a-goin' to happen he
said to the gang loafing about the
"canteen" "A few minutes later. stones
got civil all of sudden" And they
marvelled greatly thcreat.
Stone wrote out his application for a
furlOugh and got IL endorsed by his cap
tain, and then by the post commander
and late that afternoon he was Informed
that his leave was granted.
He was happy He went about
whistling and singing. He was going
home-and 10 Adele. After supper he
had another attack of dependency. His
soul was filled with doubts and fears.
and a horrible dread was gnawinS at
his heart.
never allow him To finish the question
"She will be true" it said.
The moon rose in its fun grandeur
and the mellow radiance silvcred every
thing. toning down the rough prospect
until II seemed as though the path
To an enchanted land was opened TO
him.
Three years ago tonight since ] saw
Adele" he muTmured to himself "Well
q s,.r,ff -. Ia, I GA n
II was growing late. and taps would
| soon sound He went out for one last
walk around the parade-ground. and az ne
| neared the Majors house the distant
tinklc Of a guitar attracted his attention.
| The Majors wife must he musical
! he unused. Then he remembered that he
| had been told that the Major had been
married only a few months He drew
| player began to sing in a fresh, girlish
voice:
Say 'au rcvoir' but not 'good-by';
Love liveth still, Love cannot die
He drew nearer. nearer, and the voice
| went on:
"'Twere better far had We not met;
| | loved You then-l love you yet
J Stone stood az one suddenly bercft Of
his senses In the moonlight he saw a
| face that ne had not laid eyes upon for
three long. dreary years; face that he
| had hoped TO see soon. And this was tn"
end OF IL all. still the voice went on with
tho lying words Of that song.
adele. dear. | wish Won would sing
something else: never liked that song"
ana the VI jor smiled NJ his wife.
s figure i'm d3rk-bue uniform stood
and listened as though spell-bound When
the song was finished. Stone SUNK stag
Fering across the parade ground until he
came % the barracks. He entered, and
climbed YEARLY up the steps.
\ few moments later the clear notes OF
taps rang across the sandy waste.
Lights out. II meant
As the last note died IN the distance.
there was a smothered report from the
barracks. and a sound Of running TO and
fro.
y soldier ran across the parade-ground.
and up the steps OF the Majors house.
What's the matter?' asked he
Sergeant stone has killed himself" an
etr.r.-l tkn .nllInr