River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-22

London chief streets. II had come to
cheer AMI shout at the men with whose
fame ENGLAND was Just then ringing
again, anG men who had SO gaIlantly
saved the regimental standard, and " no
was now, by the gooI old colonels ex-
press orders, carrying the very banner
in his hand. as his horse slowly. and as
If knowing that this was Its day out, a"
moved along in the center of the pro-
cessiOnal march. There was such cheer
ing, such shaking of his Land b., en-
thusiastic Britishers, who ran for miles
alongside the horse. such cries Of
Bravo, Counell!" from thousands of
threats, that the center of all this hero
worship. man of naturally modest
mold, scarcely knew if he stood on his
head or his heels.
And when the regiment had arrived
at the end of the Strand. and was pass
ing Trafalgar square, there was TO one
shouted and chetred more vigorously
than the old soldier. james Bennett, a
late member Of il, who had come up
from the pretty Surrey village with his
daughter Elsie, TO have a look again
upon the flag and uniform which he had
50 long respected.
There he goes, Elsie That's Con-
nell!" cried out the veteran. as the hero
Of the day rode past. in the battered
Lancer's helmet, and with the trusty
lance in hand.
The girl looked eagerly at the soldier
who was the cynosure of all eyes. and
saw a dark, tanned face. with a frank
look in its brown eyes. which just that
moment fell upon her as she stood on
the pavement facing their owner. Then
one who had noticed closely would have
seen that the soldier turned his gaze
quickly away, with a look of pain on
his face.
But the girl had seen that look. quick
as il was. and a sudden jerk of the
fathers arm made him turn round -
his daughter. She had tainted. and
several OF the bystgnders aided him in
getting her into a shop close by.
Its the excitement" aid some OF
them. shell soon be all right"
She rallied in few moments, and
looked round half-vacautly. Then, see
ing her father beside her. she whispered
TO him:
did YOU see who il WASP"
who what was. my dear?"
why. this Robert ColneiL"
why. no; Of course, that is. it was
Robert Connell who saved the flag from
the enemy" said the veteran.
Father" whispered she. don't think
I'm rambling in what say. for I'm not.
Father. Robert Counell is Reginald Bar
low-that's as true as I'm here."
The OLD man looked at her in pity,
and set down her words TO her mind be-
ing unhinged. so he thought it wisest
to say nothing more.
But when. a few days after they had
gone back TO the calmness Of their lit
tie Surrey village, a knOc., came one
day at the door. and without waiting
for its opening. a tall soldier. ia the uni
form Of the -th Lancers, came walking
in. announced himself ns Robert Con-
nell. late Peginald Barlow. even the in
cre6ulity Of James Bennett himself had
10 give wa TO surprise al his child's
quick perception Of he truth. There
was no reticenee or tie part of ony of
the three. With 4 quick movement. al
most before she kue What she was do
ing. the girl had risen and rushed for
ward TO the arms Of her never-forgotten
lover. whilst he. en- his part. bad ad-
yauce6 towards her: and the father
had risen and saluted in military fash
ion, half-thinking he was saiuiiug the