The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-02-27
A Story of the Civil War in
Missouri.
BY N Z. POWELL
(Now First Published.
XIV.

their enemies. But they saw only the
two frightened girls, and were ashamed
that their powder had been wasted so
unworthily.
go for a doctor p yelled out the
captain to one of the men, land bring
a woman too" he added, noting
| Mary's helpless nervous condition.
"Send for mother, " said Mary, Eat
Mr.. C~layton's."
So another soldier was dispatched for
Mrs. Norton.
MARY" said Ellie, twill you get
some one to go and tell Aunt Mag2
Oh what will she do?'
When the news of Elfe's wound
reached Mr.. Clayton he Immediately
got in his buggy and went for Mrs.
Dabney, who returned home with
him, without stopping to see the extent
of Elie's injuries. But in a very short
time Mr.. Clayton himself was to see
her, and used all his powers of persua-
sion to induce her to so to his house
and remain there until her arm could
be used.
"Mr. Clayton" said Mrs. Norton,
81 think it best for her to stay here,
and I would be glad for Mrs. Dabney
to come too. Anyhow, Ellie is not
going"
Mr.. Clayton then drew forth a note
from Mrs. .Dabney. 1t said "Elfie,
l have concluded to make my home at
Mr.. Clayotn's-they have everything
SO elegant. When you feel disposed to
come, l will be glad to see you. But
if you consider you w me no duty, l
shall not look for you, as l know you
govern your actions by that principle. I"
Ellie read it, and burst out crying.
She was feverish and suffering and
could not help giving way to the weak
ness.
Mr.. Clayton was very sympathetic,
but Mrs, Norton was vexed that Mrs.
Dabney had thought only of herself
and had not mentioned Elites wound
even. She was out of patience too
with Mr.. Clayton's insinuations that
she could not entertain Ellie in a COM
Portable way.
81 haven't got a big house like
yours, " she said, "but I'll see she'll
not want for anything, so you'd just
as well go home.
And he did go. The times were rife
with the war spirit, and he saw she
meant to show him the door. He was
not a brave man, and with his head
bowed in a detected manner he slouched
out, looking slyly behind him to see if
Mrs. Norton was following.
TELL me, Mary" said Ellie, when
he was gone, "what my duty is
Ought l to marry him in order to gel
the comforts of life for Aunt Mag2"
NO" said Mary emphatically.
"She is too selfish to see any sacrifice
in it, 1 suppose, but 1 think it would
be such a great one that it would be a
crime"
do you think it would be SHINING
against him as well as myself" she
asked.
81 don't consider, said Mary,
THAT any punishment you could visit
on him would be a sin. He deserve:
to suffer for the way he has ruined
Charlie.
MARY, presently called Ellie again,
"come here and tell me-if you knew
a man that was everything in the world
to you, one you loved better than yor
loved yourself, and he did not love yor
as you do him, perhaps does not low
you at all, or even know that you low
him, would it be a sin for you to g
into another mans home, to marry him
you loved him, when you are onl,
acting a falsehood in order to get hi
money!
Ellie, I don't see how you can asl
the question, l don't see how any ON
could make the solemn marriage vow
, knowing they were telling f~alsehoods.
But Ellie was not satisfied. She wa
tortured to think that Mrs. Dabney wa
lonely and worried at her absence
But how could she stay in Lon Clay
toms house and receive his favors
l The matter, however, was settled 70
, awhile, for the fever set up in he
wounded arm and she could not b
= moved. There We're many weary day
of tossing and pain before she had t
think of a decision.
The first day she was able to sit u
any, a letter was brought to her froI
Charlie.
With trembling hands she broke tn
seal and read: "Elfe, / have tim
only to say, John is a prisoner in on
lines and will be sent to st. Loui:
My command will leave here toda
and I may get a furlough to run HON
q day or 30. Charlie"
John Dabney had left home an
Joined the army, feeling that it was
matter of small moment, so far az |
was concerned, what became of hin
He had staked every hope on the lett'
that he had hidden in Elfe's Bibl
and that had been heard from no NOR
His answer had come to him in IL
silence he had imposed himself al
from which he could take no appea
Now, all that he could do was to
and forget himself and her. in fghtir
for his country. This was no dreal
task to him, for he was a patrio
With all his heart he entered into t
business Of war and performed /
duties with all the f~aithfulness of b
strong character. He could not stay
the ear while the battle was raging,
the surgeons generally did, but plung'
into the thickest Of the fight, regardle
of danger.