Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-26

the dreadful war should deprive her
of her lover. without calling him to
fight against instead of for her?
How clearly he could see her as she
stood then on the low, wide steps. d
slim. girlish figure clad in clinging
white. Her cheeks were flushed and
her mouth tremulous, but the chin was
firmly set. All through the war he
had carried In his heart the memory
of her as she stood in the sunshine,
framed by the stately pillars of the
gallery; while he. with despair in his
heart, but a logged determination in
his eyes, turned, when half way down
the broad avenue of live oaks, and lift
Ing his union cap murmured, God
keep my southern sweetheart"
How often he recalled her words.
He could almost hear them now Go.
You are traitor. l never want to see
your face again"
The old man shook his head sor-
rowfully. No, she would never forgive
him, not even now after all these
on the morrow. so what matter?
He and the Ralston boys had been
college students together He would
pay a visit to their last resting place.
He opened the gate and slowly made
his way among the flower covered
ston lot. he looked about him sorrow
fully. He felt sadly desolate. He
alone was left of all those merry,
laughing fellows.
Presently his eye wandered to q
grave somewhat apart from the rest.
|, The scarcity of its flowers drew his at
tention to it, He wandered idly to-
ward it. thinking, Some poor friend
less chap"
He started and then dropped upon
his knees in his eagerness 10 read the
simple inscription on the headstone. II
ran:
MERRILL FREMONT"
Born 1888. Killed at Gettysburg
1868"
'Why. that's my name," and the
Z
manner as though for a moment he
doubted his identity.
Yes, my name is Merrill Fremont
and l was born in '3S. but though ]
was wounded | did not die at Gettys-
burg. A union soldier in confederate
lack of memorial flowers" and he
smiled grimly. But I'm not dead,
and he thumped his cane vigorously
upon the gravel path.
| He leaned his hands on his stick
and stood gazing intently at his owl
! name.
! at isn't me-but it is some unior
/ soldier buried for me, and he shal
/ have some flowers. Yes. I'll deco
rate my own grave" and with
/ chuckle Merrill Fremont started brisl
ly down the path.
AS he neared the gate it opened. an,
. tall, slender figure clad in black e.
tered, followed by an ole negro fairl,
staggering under the weight of mas
| nolia blossoms. Something familiar II
the two figures made Fremont pause
But they did not notice him. The lad
turned up side path and wall
quickly toward the end OF the grour
Merrill had just quilted followed mo
slowly by the old serving man.
Merrill faced about and watch
them He was certain now that tn,
woman was Erma. He expected he
to enter the Ralston lot, but she onl!
paused, waved her hand toward tn
fiower-hidden graves, said somethin:
to her attendant and passed on her wa!
until she stood beside the undecorateC
grave.
Fremont rubbed his eyes and stared
The lady mOtiOned to negro To la!
his fragrant burden down.
Merrill fastened up the path IL
was near enough to hear the well-re
membered voice say, You may go
Uncle Sorney; I'll arrange the flower
myself"
The servant shuff1ed away down tn
path he had come, while his mistress