Connecticut western news., 1901-08-29
THE GIRL 1 IN GRAY
HOW She Surrendered to a Yankee From Illinois.
CHARACTERIZATION

It was during an encampment of Con- federate Veterans that Howard Pearce first saw her. She wore a gray riding habit with double row of small brass buttons leading up to two black stars on the collar. On her sunny locks a small gray slouch 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. It was a 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 30 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. ..it Is easier to get up the ridge than 1t was once. There are no men in blue there tonight"
 No" the captain replied. 'but the sons of some of those men are there." pointing to the company street. in | which blue clad figures lounged. "Loyal7 Without doubt Listenw The bands, which had united for the | evening concert. had just struck up ''The Star Spangled Banner" When | the air was recognized. a cheer arose from the tented wood.
 1 Hear thatY' said the captain.
 Wait" said the girl in gray.
 "For whatT Pearce asked. | 'They will play Dixie after awhilo.'
 What thenY'
 'Then they will yell" she said, look Ing at him with a bright smile and nod ding 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 by one long. loud yell
 Pearce looked at the girl to receive an expected "I 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 upon the young men tossing their caps high above the tents and shouting with all their sturdy lung power.
 "l wonder" he unused. eff she hates the north as she loves the south"
 When the tumult had ceased. he turn ed to Saunders.
 Well, captain" he said, "what do ! you say to thatY'
 "Of course. they love 'Dixie.'" said the captain earnestly. "So do l. But there is no deeper meaning in that cheer than the love of a memory. They are loyal"
 Miss Moore said that she must SC back to town
 "As 1t is late, shall have to leave my horse with you. captain l shall send for him tomorrow. l reckon 1 can walk 1 to the traln ID this rig"
 She looked down somewhat doubt l fully at her riding skirt Pearce said that he would be glad to go with Der and though 1t was not apparent in just what way he could overcome the disad vantage of the long dress. she seemed to be grateful for his escort
 oil ho hpQtnninU and the end is not yet An inciden that occurred under large tree ID th' old Confederate fort on the mountain may give a hint or the trend of events.
 Pearce and Miss Moore were undeI the tree because 1t was the shelter near est when rain suddenly began 10 fall and 1t rained probably because a mum Der of young folks ot the city bad coma
 up on the mountain to spend Septem
 Der day that promised in the mornin:
 to be pleasant
 Mir. Pearce was not in good humor
 He and Miss Moore had separated
 themselves from the others. One topi,
 of conversation had led to another
 which in this instance was a declara ton by Mr. Pearce that he was fire
 trievably in love with Miss Moore an,
 that if she refused to make him happ he should be forever miserable. At , l critical stage of this declaration a rain drop kissed the girls cheek.
 "Oh, it's going to rain?' she cried.
 The next instant the downpour be gan, and both rushed through breacl
 in the earthen wall of the fort to tn
 tree, whose branches, to which tn
 leaves yet clung. offered protection There they stood In silence for severa
 minutes, she busily brushing raindrop
 from her hat, which she had taken of
 and he watching her moodily.
 The silence became oppressiye. an.