The National tribune., 1901-11-07

waiting for the surrender of Johnston, a
surrender already virtually made, but
waiting for the two great Generals to ar
range minor details.
Georgiana put her house in order. 1t
was old, but she made the best of what
had already served two generations.
The black dresses which her mother had
worn. and which Georgfana had carefully
packed away in camphor and cedar chips,
she now unpacked and began fashionlng
for herself, not from economy or choice,
but sheer necessity; for with the shod,
diest of calicOes at 40 cents a yard she
had no choice.
The Spring hurried by. tossing flowers
here and there with lavish hand as she
passed, hanging a green curtain of vines,
leaving the Summer to thicken the weave
il she saw fit.
The great struggle was over, and sol
diers came on every train. Georglana had
had letter from Joseph Linden while
he waited at Washington City, giving her
a description of the last grand review,
and he was coming home-home, all the
North was home, for territory narrowed
as minds broadened.
This had been weeks ago, and now she
looked each day for his coming, or news
of his coming.
1T is just like we were expecting com
pany all the time" Martha Goodrich had
gossiped to a neighbOr.
.'The whole house has to be fixed VI
every day, and flowers in the parlOr, anC
Georgiana stays dressed up from mOrnin
till night i can't see whatever has got
over her; she seems nightly changed
since her father died.
But Georgiana kept her own counsel
dreamed her beautiful dreams. and built
whole cities of beautiful castles. Per
haps he intended to surprise her, and as
she sat at the open window, where she
daily sat to catch the first sound Of tht
incoming noon train, an unfamiliar SteI
caught her ear while yet a long way off
she would not look up as it drew nearer
now he might be looking at her; she ben
! lower over her work, her heart beating
and her face not crimson. but pale from
very excitement. Or. he might have CONF
in on a late Saturday evening train, take
advantage Of her and 20 to church ant
see her when she did not so much as
dream Of his being near. SO the yer!
glimpse OF Il strange form sent the ser
mon flying and played havoc with her de
votions, which she as bitterly repenteC
after being stopped ut the church door t.
be introduced TO somebody's cousin Of
| some more fortunate girls lover.
| To 90 to the postofice Immediately af
| ter the arrival of every mail during th'
| excitement of war seemed perfect!
proper. but now to go even once a day
when one rarely received "a letter and Onl,
once or twice a week a paper or maga
zine, seemed absurd.
! Gporgiana might watch from her hOm'
every incoming train, but she could no
] proclaim her secret by going to the ofic
| even once q day.
| Sometimes she resorted TO strategy
''Why don't you walk down street, Mar
| tina! 4 little walk will do you good. An,
! lgsn b,
But sometimes even this miscarried
for after waiting with whatever patienc
she could command until late hour, 70
that worthy's return, listening while sh
barred the door, and came somewhat Ia
boriously upstairs, for she was not yer
fragile:
Did you get any mail, Martha?'
We'll, la, me, if ] didn't forget a
abOut it. Well, ] don't s'pose wed a go
anything"
No, they would not have gotten any
thing, as il proved.
The Summer had refused to 20 away
but held fast TO her green treasures unit
impatient Autumn blew his icy breat
full into her very face. Even then sh
of painted trees and grass.
SO GeOrgiana held the Summer of hop
} in her heart until Mt last an icy han
seemed 10 clutch at her very heartstrine
| and she ceased TO watch either the train
, or the daily maitland then the lettt
: came.
Never in all Of her after life did Geo
> giana forget that one evening. Thcl
was a driZZle of >csld sain and the nigi
, came on early. Hhe had walked TO IL
. farthest side of the village to visit a
r old man-not n good man, but one whol
her father had pitied. He was garrulou
and hard to follow, and evidently near IL
end OF an ill-spent life.
: The leaves whirled about her as 81
came Dut, and fell wet and slippery upo
the Iath; the tall weeds by the waysiC
I and the late Fall roses in the little yart
with every yestige of their color gone bel
: and swaycd 10 and fro.
Georgiana likened them TO people BEN
5 ing beneath the storm of adversely. III
houses, with their closed doors, seemed
shut in all of their own good cheer, al
7, with nothing TO offer for those withou
e and tonight Georgiana felt strangely wit
s out.
Neither did her own home appear muc
more hospitable, as she groped her wa
= into the dark kitchen to remove her W,
: wraps.
Martha Goodrich had evidently suppe