The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-08-22
THE GIRL
i IN GRAY
How She Surrendered to a
Yankee From Illinois.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

ev*V*v*v%v%v%V
1t was during an encampment Of Con-
federate Veterans that Howard Pearce
fist saw her. She wore gray riding
habit with a double row of small brass
buttons leading up to two black stars
on the collar. On her sunny locks a
small gray SLOUGH hat rested, tilted
just the least bit over one eye. She
rode well.
Pearce leaned so far from the win
dow to catch a glimpse of the girl that
he almost fell. 1t was warm day
toward the end of July, and he was
not sorry that he had no business on
hand that must be rushed.
Evidently the girl in gray had gone
to the camp ground, and with Saun-
ders. But Saunders was married.
happily married. Pearce hoped. Any
how, he was glad that Saunders was
married.
That evening he sat before Captain
Saunders tent, with the captain, his
wife and Miss Moore-the girl in gray.
To the east of the camp ground the
ridge rose in gentle slope. To the
southwest, seemingly towering just
over them, was the mountain.
Pearce's heart beat faster as the
thought came to him that 80 years be-
fore white tents had marked the foot
of the ridge as they did that day. But
then they had stretched for miles north
and south.
Captain" he said. turning to Saun
ders. sit is easier to get up the ridge
than it was once. There are no men in
blue there tonight
mo-" the captain replied, 'but the
sons Of some of those men are there
pointing to the company street. in
which blue clad figures .lounged.
Loyal? Without doubt. Listenp'
The bands, which had united for the
evening concert, had just struck ul
''The Star Spangled Banner" When
the air was recognized, cheer arose
from the tented wood.
"Hear that? said the captain.
wait" said the girl in gray.
"For whatY' Pearce asked.
'They will play Dixie after awhile :
"Whatthen?''
''Then they will YELL" she said look.
ing at him with bright smile and nod
ding a confident You'll see or hear
And he did. When the national air
was finished, there was a brief wait
Then the quick. stirring notes OF
"DiXie" started the woods into life with
sharp echoes, which were drowned bs
one long, loud yell.
Pearce looked at the girl to receive ar
expected 81 told you So" But she was
not looking at him. Her cheeks were
dark with color and her eyes. bright
ened by excitement. were fixed upoI
the young men tossing their caps high
above the tents and shouting with al
their sturdy lung power.
81 wonder" he unused. "if she hates
the north as she loves the SOUTH
When the tumult had ceased he turn
ed to Saunders.
"Well, captain" he said what dc
you say to that?'
"Of course. they love Dixie" said
the captain earnestly. $50 do |. But
there is no deeper meaning in that cheer
than the love of a memory. They are
loyal"
Miss Moore said that she must &C
back to town.
LAS it is late. shall have TO leave my
horse with you. captain. | shall send
for him tomorrow reckon ! can walk
to the train in this rig"
She looked down somewhat doubt
fully at her riding skirt. Pearce said
that he would be glad to go with her
and though it was not apparent in just
what way he could overcome the disad
vantage of the long dress. she seemed
10 be grateful for his escort.
We'll. that was the beginning OF IT.
and the end is not yet An incident
that occurred under a large tree in the
old Confederate fort on the mountain
may give hint of the trend of events.
Pearce and Miss Moore were under
the tree because it was the shelter near
est when rain suddenly began to fall
and it rained probably because mum
Der of young folks of the city had come
I'D on the mountain to spend Septem
Der day that promised in the morning
to be pleasant.
Mr. Pearce was not in good humof
He and Miss Moore had separat ed
themselves from the others. One topic
of conversation had led to another
which in this instance was declara
ton by Mr.. Pearce that he was ire
trievably in love with Miss Moore anG
that If she refused to make him happy