Graham guardian., 1900-07-06


the long, trying afternoon, even though
Avntie Bates had to suffer FOR il.
THE new moon stood like sword on the
Great Of the dark woods as the girl opened
the hall door at home, and looked back at IL
ever her right shoulder for luck.
II am glad this day 10 done, AZ any rate" |"
she said, turning the key in its place. The
old-fsshionsd clock struck ten aa Marie
came into the Bitting.room.
Pussy Muggins stretched her two white
feet across the one faint ray Of the settins
moon on the window seat, and meowed q
soft rhythmic welcome to her mistress.
tive notion to be cross" cogitated
Marie; ''but there's no one 20 be cross TO;
they've all gone TO bed, haven't they!
smoothing Muggins furry coat. Going over
to the mantel she CROPPED along its length for
the matches. Finally she struck light.
There in a corner stood q cornet, a bright
silver instrument, with band book beside
it and some other paraphsrnalia Of the pro.
fession. Curiously she went over to the
shining object, lamp in hand and Muggins
joined the inspecting party with important
air. On the back OF the band book she
read; ~. H. Merrill, lat cornst, Union City
band"
Well, what of Il! II was nothing 10 her
whether j. II. Merrill was first or second
cornet, or whether he played with the Union
City band or not. She doubtless would hear
him discourse tomorrow; that would be suf-
ficient.
Muggins purred an assent, and went back
to her favorite window-seat, and Marie
yawned and went slowly upstairs to bed.
Marie" said her mother the next morn
ing, as they were busy preparing the early
breakfast, your father has fairly fallen in
love with that young cornet player; he wac
soldier in Cuba, you know; and think
myself he 10 the incest looking fellow I ever
saw"
Marie groaned in astonishment; then q
spirit OF mischief flashed from her eyes.
1T may be that Cupid has indeed folded
his wings over the Sweetlands and it may be
he, the cornetist, viii fall in leve with me.
I move you, mother, that you invite him to
spend the remainder of the summer with us
and thus checkmate our bonnie Harvey Nell
lie J."
This outburst was not like Marie. What
had come over her! Mrs. Sweetlands
paused over tho mullins ring she was filling
to think
"Why, my daughter" she said, in dep
recating way, "if you cannot care Tor Har-
yey, there's an end of II, no matter Il father
and | do like him"
The revulson Of feeling in Marie's bosom
was wonderful. eff she could not care"
Well, she never could. The eircumscribed
horizon widened and lost itself in the valley
of rest.
"Motheri" she sobbed, 'T am awfully
thankful to get. rid of Harvey Nellis with
out Disappointing you!" Then she slipped
away to the front parlor to have little
happy cry and rest her nerves.
The vision of No. 20 wreathed itself in
blessed halo over the restful valley. Was it
because this anniversary of the Declaration
Of Independence had brought to her a
double anniversary blessed in its unham.
pered decision?
1t might be; she felt as free as the mocking
Bird singing ont there in the peach tree,
free from the curse Of attention thrust upon
her. She rested her head against ths sash
and smiled out on the dewy lawn.
There, at the corner of the portico, float.
ed the blessed old stars and stripes, and by
its side tluttered Cuban flag! Well, It was
liberty all the way through. She closed her
shining eyes to think; the flags foated side
by side near Santiago last Fourth. The
noise of battle was again in her ears, the
wounded were borne past, the surgeons went
by, and the suppressed groans Of brave men
came back; but through it all came plead
ing intonation; pray that may live for
mothers sake!"
Cornet player No. ], who had risen with
the dawn, was now returning from walk
in the orchard, and as he passed the case
ment he looked up. For moment his face
was transfgured with great joy. He for.
got that this was the Fourth of July; he
forgot that he belonged to the Union City
cornet band; he forgot everything but that
be had found her.
Tapping gently on the pane, be called
softly: "Nurse Marie!"
She started violently; the sweet repose
fed in twinkling and she looked wildly
around the room. Had the dream been so
vivid that his very voice became part,
Or?
A movement outside the easement drew
her attention; she turned quickly to look
full into the "aplendid eyes" once more.
Was II an intensified vision, or was it really
he?
Nurse Mariey" he repeated, taking off his
cap and standing, very Apollo, before her
in bis natty uniform The roses rushed to
her cheek and, with little happy cry, she
held out her haiids to him.
II am coming to you, Marie, he said.
She nodded glad welcome; her tongue
could find no words in this glad hour, il was
all so sudden
As he came into the parlor she flew into
his outstretched arms like home.bound
dove. Il have waited so long," she said,
lropping her head upon his breast with
iappy sigh
80 have H. he replied, kissing her
right face tenderly again and again Il did
lot know that was near you, dearest, until
ast evening. Your father said that his
laughter Marie was nurse III the Spanish.
Nmtrlcan brush; and that she, TOO, was in
nd about Santiago. Somehow it seemed to
se THAT Heaven came down through the
usks, and ! prayed earnestly that it might
you, my own Nurse Marie. And have
1und YOU"
Then you know that cared for you?"
ooking up IN loving inquiry, while he held
ler ciose Ia his satisfied heart.
YES, dearest; when you knelt BY me in
hat awful hour | felt above all the pain
hat our lives flowed together have told
.s.sxsuxxwusuxuuRm vvuu.uu, uu,,,,u.-..,,-..,