Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-05-30

NNtalf hlHANes NNNb w w AAbN htA w III
darkness and suddenly started.
The outlines ct a figure seemed
moving among the pines. Bert leaned
eagerly forward and watched the ap
partition as it appeared to stoop nov
and then at the foot of the hoary trees
and inspect the ground More than
once there, had come to her stories
about the victims of the battle Mt t1e
ford haunting the scene OF their last
conflict; but the girl, who was no:
by them.
With courage Inherited from heI
soldier parent She moved toward the
figure in the forest, but all at once 1t
vanished nor again rewarded he,
eager and breathlest watchfulness.
To her mother the girl said nothing
about the apparition among the trees.
and that night she saw it again in her
dreams, as, standing by the big rock,
she had watched 1t in the last CLEANS
of day.
Bright and beautiful broke the dawn
of Memorial day.
Early Bert led her mother to the
portrait on the wall and steadied hen
feeble arms as she crowned with a
wreath the manly picture Of her
beloved, The sun came in at the win.
dow and, falling o. the soldiers
countenance seemed to crown II with
halo Of matchless splenlor and
grace.
You will not forget the hour
child% said Mrs Parker You will
be punctual The big rock at the ford,
he said, did he not?"
AT the big stone at ten, was the
reply, as the young maiden turned
from the window with smile =
wonder how he came TO ferret as out
and why the enemy should care to
return papas sword?"
20 + peace now, YOU must remem
Der Tie grass is growing in the
carnoa rEst nna the daisies hide the
scs q cf battle.
1t was almost ten when Bert, simply
but amply dressed for the occasion.
kissed the occupant Of the chair and
Detook herself to the ford. From far
away came sounds of music. aud she
knew that la the nearest town they
we gathering for the sacred and
pat !otic services OF the day
& short time the fair grl stood
hes le the famous stone Around hen
all vas still, and the river ran beneath
the pines singing, as it seemed TO her
a dlge for the brave of the lana
lie does not come, and | know not
in which direction to look for him.
thought Bert, as she swept the land
scape He might have come to Shirley
and got some one TO drive him over,
or he may .alight at Luray Station and,
as he has been soldier, tramp it TO
the ford"
AS no one came, Bert fell TO gather.
ing the flowers that peeped in pro.
fusion above the sod. and then, seating
herself on messy stone, she twined
as fair a wreath as ever decked a
soldiers grave.
II must be past the hour. Could II
be that the letter had been written to
deceive her, that some one, needless
of the wounds such a missiye would
make had indicted it 20 make hearts
bleed afresh2 She would not believe
II, and instantly put the unworthy
thought asue
Oryille Lane was not that sort II
person. True, she had never seen
him. he had been her fathers foe.
they had met in battle, ana the con.
federate had conquered Why his
letter If he wanted to wiring anew the
hearts Of a soldiers family2
When Bert looked up after finishing
the wreath, she caught sight Of q
figure whore she had seen the one the
night previous Moving amonE The
pines a snort distance away was o
man who seemed 10 be looking for a
certain spot
Bert aueouscio1sly drew back aiH
watched him
She could see whenever he straight
ened ~ that he had the bearing Of
soldier. and that he was stu young
as II he had entered the army when
but mere boy.
She saw him lean eagerly toward
tree andihx his eyes on certain spot
In the bark
For several minutes he stood thus.
running his hands over tho surface. ae
IL confirming by this means the
evidence OF sight When he straight.
ened again he turned his face sluarel5
toward the ford.
Bert saw that he carried In hig hand
something wrapped IN a dark fabric
and II seemed to her that he carried .
reverently. as a hero would carry q
furled and sacred ban or.
The soldiers child met-t the stranger
face TO face az he rounded the bic
rock, and the next moment. with
DOTTED hat. he was bowling to her.