The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1900-09-20

IuGLl, EeaQluS the QueSLIOA III Ivy eyes,
he continued, But they brought no
news OF our men,"
The hour set for the wedding was
o'clock, but it began to look as il there
would be no wedding, for 1t was now
after o'clock, and none of our men
had returned home.
Mother and l sat in silence in the
kitchen while father walked back and
forth in the room above.
At last we heard steps outside, and
then my brother Arthur, who was
ed into the room. l sprang up and ran
to him. He sank into the nearest
chair, and his gun fell to the floor with
a thud. Arthur was only a boy of Is,
you must remember, and the day had
been a terrible one. -...
When he had recovered little, my
father spoke. What news do you
bring, my sonY' he asked. ...
Now, had felt from the first that
he had brought bad news, and by the
way he hesitated and glanced from IA
ther to me and still did not speak
felt sure Of it. So put my worst fears
into words.
Arthur" said, sis it Henry?'
Listen" he said, speaking rapidly.
"The kings troops were in full retreat
when we reached the road. We did
| not keep with our companies, but each
one found shelter as he was able be-
hind trees, walls or fences. met Hen
ry as I was crossing field, and we
took shelter together and awaited the
coming of the troops. We had just got
settled when Henry caught sight Of a
danking party coming right down on
us. He called to the men near us to
| run for their lives, and at the same
| time we both jumped the wall and ran
for a house which stood In In the field
| just opposite. reached the opposite
| wall in safety and turned round to look
| for Henry, but he was not with me.
At that moment the troops came round
sudden turn in the road and sent
| some shots in our direction. At the
risk of being shot at l stood up and
looked across the road. He must have
been hit by the flanNng party, for he
lay just by the wall"
care you sure it was hep asked IA
Their.
Eyes; l knew him by the green on
his powderhorn." replied my brother.
"You staid by and looked after him2"
| asked father.
II tried to, sir, but the troops came
down on us, and we were obliged to
move on. I went back to the place as
soon as could, but l must have mis-
taken the spot. for I could not find
him."
Meanwhile l sat in my chair, feeling
as If l had just awakened from bad
dream. l did not fully realize what
| had happened, for 1t seemed impossi-
BILE.
Here are some people, Mary" said
mother. you would better 60 up to
your room and lie down."
did as l was told. There on the
bed lay my wedding gown. I could not
bear to look at it, and, picking it up, l
placed it in the large chest in which
my linen was packed and pulled down
the lid; then l threw myself on the bed,
and tears came to my relief. So lay
there thinking over the events of the
day, my wedding day that was to have
been. How different from what l had
anticipated!
Suddenly l heard the sound Of a
horses feet coming up the road at fu-
rious pace. 1 sat up and listened.
Somebody Is riding on an important
errand," l said to myself Nearer and
nearer came the sound, and the rider.
whoever he was, drew rein at our door.
Then there were a murmur Of voices
and an opening and shutting Of doors
and then my mothers voice calling to
me: MARY, Mary; child, come down!
Henry Is here. He's come"
Scarcely believing that heard Alright
got up and ran down stairs and into
the kitchen, and there before me, his
face pale as death, with blood stain
ed bandage bound about his forehead,
stood your grandfather.
MARY" he cried, holding out his
hands to me-, 81 am in time! The clock
has not struck yet!'
Then Parson Elder, who had come
over to hear the news from Arthur,
came forward and said, "Shall l per-
form the ceremony now"
So right then and there your grand
father, In his working clothes, all stain.
ed with dust and blood. and in my
morning calico, were married. - For.
1 ward