Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-03-26

congratulated on any act of courage
you are astonished that anyone can
find worthy of praise that which, at
the moment, seemed the simple and
only thing to be done.
Something which l had had the lucky
chance to do in that way had won me
approval from those whose lightest
words honored young soldier; but
now, in this comfortable room, with
the last rays of afternoon sunlight
streaming peacefully in upon me, was
afraid. If I could, without shame, |
would have deserted the post Of duty.
And l had to grit my teeth together
as raised the lid of the box. A bright
blur of color danced before my eyes
fer the fraction of a second, but by the
time I could have counted Zone, two
it had cleared into the tumbled mass of
a red and yellow Indian shawl.
The tray of the American Saratoga
trunk" had been removed, and the con-
tents had been decently concealed with
this brilliant bit Of drapery. But in
the exiegencies Of travel, or the in
ternal disturbances in the box, the COW
ering had been di5arranged, and the
beating of my heart quickened with a
leap as my eyes fell upon a cloud Of
pale yellow hair, and little white
hand, whose childlike fingers lay nerve
lessly among the gaudy folds.
| heard my own voice eXclaim-what
words I know not to this day, though
believe them to have been an adjura-
ton to Deity.
Flinging aside the shawl, I caught up
the small, girlish form, wrapped in
some loose white garment. 1t had been
lying on its side, the knees bent UP,
one arm behind the back, the other
flung above the head and tangled in a
wavy flood Ct shining hair.
A great wave of tenderness swept
over me-such tenderness as a strong
man feels for a hurt child, or dove
that the hawks have mangled.
Poor little thing, Poor little thing!"
| said over and over, as, with the ut
most gentleness of which my hands
were capable, l lifted her from her
cramped position in the large box
To say that l would have given my life
to keep hers in the beautiful little
body, is to say nothing. I think at that
moment I would have pledged away
my soul to save her alive.
Her head fell back over my arm as
l carried her across the room to lay
her on the bed, and l looked pityingly
down On the upturned unconscious face.
There was no definite thought Of ad-
miration in my mind, only a great
longing to do something to help and
suecor the fair, tiny creature whom l
had so nearly left to die a death OF
agony. Still, 1 vaguely knew that she
was lovely. l knew that the hair
which beloved over my shoulder gilt
tered w,l the pale golden sheen OF
moonlight; that the dark, fallen l2shes
curled upward pathetically; that the
long brows had a sweet saint-like
arch; that the small nose and parted
lips were pure and spirited; and i
wondered vengefully how even the
vilest wretch on earth could have found
it in his black soul to do her harm.
Softly 1 put her cut CT my arms
upon the smooth linen pillows and
snowy Counterpart that made the bed
inviting. Then I laid my hand rever-
entity upga the breast that did not
rise or fAl. but was still Is if he-
heart within were frozen.
Yet there was faint wamth linger-
ing under the laces Of the white robe
de-chambre she wore; and as listened
for the pulse of life the same delicate
fragrance OF roses that had fioated out
from the blue dress in the wardrobe