The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-05-09

ner of old campaigners and prepared
for the short rest which he so much
needed.
Somers had made the necessary dis
positions and, left alone upon the porch
for a moment, his thoughts reverted TO
| the cherished memento in his locket,
the worthless message of love which
had so mysteriously reached him. It
was just one slender curl-the curl
| that had touched his cheek, he was sure,
and with it name. They were enough;
| no words could have summoned up
more wildly the scenes of that dark
ened wing-room, nor have told him
more eloquently that within the ex-
cited city there was one heart which
held no hatred for him. It was no hour
tor dreaming, and he reused himself
to the present. Around him were con-
tending hosts of doomed men, the spir-
1t OF war lowered over the rude camps,
and death lurked in the shadows, eager
for his harvest. From the distance, the
echoes of dropping shots came family
to the ear, and presently what seemed
to be a small volley. This volley
claimed his attention and that of the
Junior officers, and he had ordered
sergeant up to inquire as to the cause,
when the sound of rapid hoof-beats ap-
preached upon the road, and in the dim
hight as he waited frightened horse,
pursued by half a dozen troopers, sped
| by. Presently the men returned lead
| n q ho
its late rider. The latter was youthful
and clad in confederate gray, which
was drenched with blood and covered
with dust; for the wounded rider,
clinging desperately to the name of
the horse as he lay extended upon its
neck, had finally fallen and been
dragged until the weight stopped the
runaway. The face of the unfortunate
fellow had escaped, and so young and
diers were touched.
He insists upon seeing an officer"
said one of them. "Claims to have Sc
crets to tell.'
'Place him upon the porch and call a,
surgeon. Where did he come FROM"
Somers was strangely affected.
Don't know, sir. He came riding
headlong through the rebel pickets. I
think. and they shot him. We didn't
shoot at all, for at first the horse
seemed to be loose, and when we did
see the young fellow on him, we knew
he was too near gone to escape. We
had orders against unnecessary alarms,
and so we ran him down." The surgeon
came and laid open the jacket of the
now unconscious sufferer. He waved
back the curious group and motioned
Tor Somers to approach.
"A woman!" he whispered.
us it possible! To my room-to my
room!" The rough soldiers again lift
ed the frail form tenderly and placed
it upon the bed inside. A hurried ex-
animation disclosed the wound; shot
from behind had passed entirely
through the body.
"She cannot live,' said the surgeon.
gently, as he arose and covered up the
white form. There is not the slight
est chance for her" The sentence of
death seemed to inspire her with a sud-
den consciousness. She opened her
eyes widely, and they rested in wonder
upon the blue uniforms and strange
faces.
What has happened?" she asked,
weakly. where am I?''
"You have been wounded, madam"
said the surgeon, BADLY wounded; but
you are in friendly hands,
"Ah!-Raymond-told me-that he
had-had arranged with-the picket
to pretend only to fre-oh, they have
killed mel" She shuddered. but with
sudden return of full consciousness she