West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-03-24


would have been the plaudits Of the
universe.
"llas Col. Sanford asked after me,
doctor?" There was an eager look ON
his face as he put the question.
Col. Sanford calls TO sec you several
times day, brown. You cannot rcnl-
izs the dangerous position I'm which
your care places mo. The colonel has
given me the most emphatic orders TO
save your life, and says II let you die
he will at once hnvs me taken out md
shot. Now you sec tho peril which
confronts me. md YOU must do all YOU
can To hasten your recovery hy implic-
lily oboying my orders. You must not
speak another word. You have talked
too much already You must remcm-
bcr my life is Mt stake, my man"
lie smiled knowingly ns he referred
To the coloncrs clustering threat.
There wns n smile OF perfect pcnce and
satisfaction on the pale face Of the
wounded man ns he closed his eyes To-
reflect over what the surgeon had told
him. Alice was with him almost con-
stantly, and, OF course, II must bc
with her fathers consent. And the old
commander, himself. called several
times daily 10 nsls after him. This
knowledge WAS sweet to his soul. and
he folt supremely happy. Gradually
his senses grew more and more i'm
| active. and he soon sank into IA sweet.
refreshing sleep, the first since he had
been brought into the hospital The
surgeon bent over him and noted his
strong, regular breathing. and softly
felt his pulse.
Excellent Excelientr' nc said to
himself Brown, my brave boy. you
are worth n whole regiment OF dead
men yot."
When Col. Sanford found his
daughter once more safe I'm her home,
he acted In n manner that ut times
almost made her fear he wns losing his
reason. Tic would call her many times
n day To como to him, and clasping her
closely In his arms. as II hc feared she
might again be taken from him, would
weep like child and mutter praises
and thanks to Heaven for her deliver
apce from death. The old mans heart
WAS filed with JOY immeasurablc, and
the light Of love was never before SO
bright ns now as he gazed upon her
lovely face.
The day following her return he
called her into his business Office and
said:
Sunshine. that young scnpegraco
saved you from God only knows what
fate, and must reward him. ! want
you to tell me NIL you know of him
from your first meeting TO the present
time"
Papa, dear, may not give It 30 you
In writing?" she asked. slight flush
suffusing her face.
Yes. daughter, that's military.
Make full report to me In writing
and place IL In my hands Mt tho carli-
est possible mouent. Give your old
bear of a father kiss and get to work
on your official report Mt once, dear"
She kissed him once, twice, thrice,
and ran away to her room. Her pen
flew over the paper with great rapidity
as she fully, freely wrote down every
detail OF her relations with the pri-
vnte soldier from their first meeting
until the present moment. She told of
his enlistment. being ignorant Of the
fact that the colonel had gotten full
report of TINT from Private Lannan,
told OF their many meetings, of mutual
love and of her urgent appeal to Brown
to go TO her father and tell him nll,
ana ask his sanction to their enRnRo-
ment. Nothing was withheld, and
when the statement was completed
she took IL 10 her fathers office, laid II
on the desk before him, kissed him pas
sionately and ran away to her room,
her young heart throLbing with nnx-
iety.
That afternoon nc sent for her, and
whom che came in no softly said:
Sunshine, have just written a
detailed report OF your capture
and rescue TO the secretary Of
war at Washington, and, OF course,
fully advised him Of that young
prohigate's action In the matter. 1
have made certain recommendations
regarding him, which trust will be
considered favorably. My orderly In
/ away on an errand, and thought you
might like 10 take hand I'm the pro-
coedings by yourself mailing the ro-
port. Take IL 10 the post Office, dear"
He had never spoken n her more
tenderly, and In the knowledge that
he had read her paper and was fully
cognizant of all that existed be-