Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-11-26

Frank thought, as he 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 on, Fastening
the day that the young couple looked
forward to with such expectations.
The winter had almost passed with
out any very important happenings.
1t is repeating history to say that
Frank Burton was frequent visitor at
the Hamilton home, or that many
happy hours were spent by the two
young people.
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
at the hand of treacherous foe.
The war cloud darkened, thickened
after regiment of brave soldiers laid
their all on their country's altar, and
marched forth bravely to an unknown
future-many to death.
Frank Burton's regiment was unex-
pectedly called out one day in May,
and ordered to Tampa, with the expec-
tation of going to Santiago.
At any other time Franks blood
would have quickened 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 a month from the time set for
our wedding!" he said to himself. ''Oh,
why did we put it off for so long? |
feared something would happen
It was with a heavy heart he went
to see Rose that evening. for it might
be the last time.
The last fiery red of sunset had soft
ened to the faintest pink, as he stood
waiting an answer to his ring. AS he
was ushered into the luxurious draw
ing room he took in all the familiar
objects with a more tender gaze than
ever before.
'sWhy Frank! What is the matter?"
exclaimed Rose, upon entering the
room.
81 have come to say goodbye" fall
tered Frank.
What do you mean she gasped.
"That I must leave you and go to
war"
ooh, Frank, is it really true?"
And for a moment it seemed as if a
shower would darken the usually
sunny sky in Roses face. But she re-
covered herself-she must not make it
any harder for Frank He was suffer
ing enough already. They must both
bear up and cheer each other.
They talked long and earnestly that
evening and tried to appear cheerful.
Mother, father and Fred were made
acquainted with the news and came in
to bid the young soldier God-speed.
AS was her usual custom at family
gatherings, Rose went to the piano be-
fore they separated. This time it was
Franks favorite song she sang, but at
the end of the first stanza she stopped
she could sing no more.
At last the farewells were ended and
with tears and smiles.
That night as the moon peeped in at
a certain window it saw tear-stained
face raised to heaven in silent prayer.
Days passed A letter came from
Frank at Chickamauga. A week later
from Tampa They were to sail for
Cuba the next day Then silence OF
three weeks One morning Rose was
startled by the shrillness of the post
mans whistle, and not waiting for q
servant to answer, rushed to the door
herself A letter in a strange hand
was given her. A fearful thought
darted through her brain. Trembling
/ like a tender plant before a hurricane,
| she tore open the letter. 1t was writ
| ten by a comrade of Franks for him
from a hospital in Siboney. Frank
had been severely wounded in fierce
struggle between our forces and the
! Spaniards but was rapidly recovering
now. In a weeks time he was able to
write himself. and in two weeks was
with his regiment again. He had been
promoted three degrees for unusual
bravery in that fierce fight in which he
nearly lost his life; and he had re-
ceived his wound when the conflict
was nearly over Not while fighting
the enemy, but while carrying a dying
comrade to place of shelter from the
whizzing Mausers.
Days heightened into weeks-weeks
grew to months-two months not a
word from Frank! Every account Of a
battle was scanned eagerly. Every
long list of wounded and dead read
over from beginning to end. Some
times there were some missing
names "unknown"-could Frank Bur
ton be among them?
Roses letters commenced to be re-
turned to her with mot called for
written upon them.
| Rose tried TO keep I'D and seemed to