The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-03


Marion knew that he was in earnest,
and desiring a reconciliation, but
with the perversity of unframed girl
hood, she drew away, and refused to
talk or even listen again.
There was a commotion in the
crowd, but it was only caused by
woman who had tainted, and as the
crowd parted to allow her to be moved
to the outside, farmer and his wife
drew near, and Marion catching the
lady's hand exclaimed.
"Oh, Mrs. Ellis, I'm SO glad you
are here, l want to keep with you and
go home with you, tonight"
"Why, Marion, child, is ityou? and
are you here alone9 Why here is
Vance," were the half bewildered ex-
CARNATIONS with which Mrs. Ellis met
her, but Marion fastened to say:
"Mr. Carleton was so kind as to
bring me here, but l know it will
take him from his school to go back
to Stanton, tonight, and l will not
allow it; I'm going with you" And
without even giving Vance an oppor-
tunity to say word, Marion caught
Mrs. Ellis's hand, and the crowd came
between her and the young man to
whom she was already engaged and
had confidently expected to marry,
some day.
The sun went down that night over
Lake Erie, where the sham battle
had been fought and as it's last rays
rested upon the unveiled monument
of the brave old commodore, a school
girl left the Forest City in farm
wagon with Mr.. Ellis and his family,
carrying curious sort of pain in her
rebellious little heart, that the excite
ment of the day, and the quiet night
shades could not dissipate.
The band was playing 1.-THE Star
Spangled Banner" while the boys in
blue marched away to the waving
of handkerchiefs and hands, and
Vance Carleton, aged twenty-one, a
private in the ranks, looked back
once with wistful light in his eyes.
but no familiar face greeted his gaze,
as the gallant troops marched away
to glory and to death, and the iron
horse" Oore them from the beautiful
Forest City, and the blue smiling
waters of Lake Erie, where Perry's
memorable victory had been gained
And how was Vance to know that at
that very hour Marion knelt by the
window in her country home with
her face turned to the South and a
broken prayer upon her lips that God
would care for the fatherless, mother
less boy who had never come back
for a reconciliation, nor sought to
meet her since the day she SO rudely
shook him off while witnessing the
sham battle on the lake? Sand now
he has gone without one word of fare
WE'LL" she thought, land shall never
see him again"
How eagerly she scanned every
paper; how axiously she waited and
watched for news! But alasl none
ever came. Those desperate battles
were fought, leaving their record
written in blood that years of peace
could not wash out. The regiments
were disbanded, the troops dis
charged and the "boys in blue"
veterans" now, came home; but
Vance Carleton was not with them;
Vance Carleton did not come; and
neither did any news, only Vance
Carlton had won and worn Captains
straps; never been seen or heard
from after the battle of Lookout.
And Marion said, "He is dead, and
l am not forgiven"
s.
"Do, Miss Marks, come up to Camp
Perry Payne this afternoon. 1t is
like dream city with its white tents
and red and yellow banners, and
knights and ladies. Will you'"
pardon me. Nora; no, l haye no
desire to mingle with crowds unless
there is work for me to do. l have no
time for pleasure"
THAT is what you always say, and
you haven't been to single centen
NAL number. Aren't you going to
take in one7"
"Perhaps!"
"You will have to hurry, then, as the
tenth of September will be the last"
"And the one l shall select to wit
ness"
"How strange! l would think you
would have selected"Woman's Day."
or even Bryan's visit. But remem-
Der you are very patriotic"
A strange look came into Miss
Marks soft dark eyes, but she made
no reply while Nora Neale went out
thinking; What charming woman