Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-11-23

C~G@-- Day
G"All right. Mary, I'll be right down.
answered Rose, hastily putting the TN
,shng touches to her toilet in rather a
oarvous manner so different from her
usual calm and sedate way. At the
same time happy smile played around
her mouth and the roses stole into her
cheeks. For only yesterday Rose had
given Frank Burton her promise to
become his wife, and now The sus-
oicion crossed her mind that the seal
Of that solemn promise was about to
be given her.
So, pinning n bunch of English vio-
tets to her dress. she tripped gaily
downstairs to welcome her lover.
Surely Frank never looked so hand
some as he did this afternoon, as he
stood waiting for the appearance of
uls fiance.
After the usual salutatiens were over
Crank drew out mysteriouslo looking
little package from his pocket, and
began carefully unwrapping it. This
procedure ended he held out towards
Rose a daintily lined box, almost hid
den, among the folds of which lay
beautiful diamond ring.
"Oh, Frank exclaimed Rose, 'Isn't
1t a beauty" And in few seconds
the ring was in the proper place, put
there in the proper way.
Ill honnu n ion
between the two, laying plans for the
future that seemed so promising and
bright.
1t was happy Thanksgiving party
that gathered around Mr.. Hamlton's
table TO enjoy the annual feast.
That evening before Frank left, Rose
sat down to the piano and sang some
of those sweet old songs, too seldom
heard nowadays, that her parents
loved so much to heaT.
Frank thought, as lie listened to her
voice, that nowhere else in the world
could be heard such music.
The happy day ended, as they all
must end, and time sped OH, Fastening
the day that the young couple looked
forward to with such expectations.
About the middle of February came
the awful shock which was felt around
the globe like an electric thrill, and
which startled the people of all lands
the destruction of our gallant warship
by the hand of a treacherous foe.
The war cloud darkened, thickened
and finally broke in fury. Regiment
after regiment of brave soldiers laid
their all on their copntrys altar, and
marched forth bravely to an unknown
future-many to death.
Frank Burtons regiment was unex-
pectedly called out one day in May,
and ordered to Tampa, with the oxpec-
tation of going to Santiago.
At any other time Franks blood
would have Quckened in his veins at
the chance to go and fight for his ma
tive land, but now his heart sank at
the thought Of it,
"Only month from the time set
for our wedding" he said to himself.
ooh, why did we put it off for so long?
l feared something would happen"
1t was with heavy heart he went
to see Rose that evening, for it might
he the last time
"Why, Frank! What is the matter"
exclaimed Rose, upon entering the
room.
Il have come to say goodbye" fall
tered Frank.
"What do you mean?" she gasped.
THAT l must leave you and go to
the war"
"Oh, Frank, is it really true?"
AM for moment it seemed as II
SHOWER would darken the usually sun
ny sly of Roses face. But she recov-
,red hyself-she must not make it any
harderfor Frank. They must both
bear ny and cheer each other.
Theyialked long and earnestly that
eveninshnd tried to appear cheerful.
MothS faflrlr, and Fred were made
EcI1sainted with the news and came in
to lid the your g soldier God-speed.
Diys passed. A letter came from
Frank from Chckamauga. A week
'aterrfrOm Tampa. They were to
sail for Cuba the next day. Then a
silence of three weeks. One morning
Rose was startled by the shrillness of
the p@stman's whistle, and, not wait
ing fO|r servant 10 answer, rushed
to th9 door herself A letter in a
Stranpfk hand WAS CiNen her A fear