The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-02-27

each others.
what did you let them capture YOU
forS' asked Charlie, when he could
speak.
81 am glad they did," answered
John, "as l have been so fortunate as
to meet you. But when did you hear
from home2"
mot a word since I left" said
Charlie, sadly. "Have your"
mo, not a line, and I am very un-
easy about them"
The brothers did not long enjoy the
privilege of being together. The hour
of parting was at hand, and clinging to
each other as though this was the last
time they would ever be together, they
spoke hurried words of affection and
%adnonition.
John never forgot that, " thought
Charlie, as his brother said, Don't
forget, my boy, that death will be very
near to you, and try to be ready to
meet it. Read your Bible and follow
its p~recepts."
Their hands dropped apart, and they
took their separate paths John to a
prisoners cell and Charlie to the tented
field. In that lonely cell John Dabney
chafed and worried rs never in his
life before, but there was fever in his
veins, and soon he was on a bed Of
disease and weakness. There was no
other thought in his mind but that he
would die away from all he loved.
There were no tender hands to nurse
him, no loving words to cheer, no com
forts and but few necessities around
him. What wonder he did not think
to live, and hardly cared to.
He was lying very still early one
morning, too weak to move or speak,
he thought, and almost too weak to
think, yet he was conscious of an un-
usual presence. Some one was bathing
his hands and face and in many gentle
ways trying to make him comfortable.
1t was a woman, he knew that by the
noiseless way she did everything, and
the successful way. What a restful
feeling the consciousness gave him.
How thankful he felt that this mes
senger Of mercy was near him with her
gentle ministrations, and hope sprang
up that she could, and would, nurse
him back to life again. He had not
yet seen her face, but the sunlight
would o enter even that dark
prison, and he could see her and thank
her.
But he was disappointed. Before
the sunlight came in, his gentle nurse
was gone and a man had her place
beside him. Anxiously and expectantly
he watched and listened all day to see
her and hear her step or voice, until
he felt he could not bear the loneliness,
which seemed SO much worse now that
she had been there. AS the night
came on and sped away, again he be-
came conscious of her presence. There
| she sat by his bed again. Now he
tried to see her face by the dim light.
But it seemed she knew he was watch
ing her, for she turned her face away
from him whenever the light could fall
upon it. But in his weakness John
could not hold his eyes open long, mol
even gather his thoughts to wonder.
There was only a half consciousness OF
q presence that was restful and com
forting to him.
When the morning came, and its rosy
light came into the room from thu
barred window, the nurse was still
there, and asleep. John saw hel
bowed on the footboard of the bed, ant
though her face was hidden there wa
a familiar look about the head ant
shoulders that startled him. Suddenl,
she raised her head and looked at him
The sight of her face brought a CT,
from him.
"Oh, Bertha Hazel p he exclaimed
in establishment.
81 did not want you to see me, DR.
Dabney-I was afraid it would excit'
you," she said, coming to him ant
taking his hand.
81 am so glad" was all he coul'
say, while almost overcome with emo
tion.
"You must not be excited, " sh
said, NOR talk-you are not stronI
enough yet. After awhile I vii
answer all your questions. I am goin
now, and you must go to sleep"
But John was too happy to go t
sleep. Now he could talk of home an
Ellie, and the weary hours of pal
would pass so swiftly with Bertha t
soothe and cheer him.
1t was not long till she returned an
told him he could talk a little now
How did you find me, Bertha2" h
asked first.
II heard you were a prisoner, and
came here to look for you"
And where is your mother" h
asked.
"She is in st. Louis too. We want
ed to earn Jul living, and came to til
city to nurse in the hospital"
"When did you hear from home
mean my homer" he asked.
Il received a letter from Mary Mo-
ton two weeks ago. and she told N
you were a prisoner, but she did M
know you were sick"
Ibid she hear it from Charlie2"
81 suppose So" said Bertha III
, easily "but, DR.. Dabney, I will nj
, answer another question, and if yc
ask more I will go away and leave yo'
Now go to sleep"
And he had to try to obey her.
Johns improvement was very sloy
Notwithstanding Bertha was so atte'
l tive and watchful of all his need
. The prison air was like poison to hi
and his imnatience and WORRY helm