Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-08-02


I've no more captaincies at my dis
posal. To make a vacancy for Nc
Twyny I'm going to force a good fol
nothing captain to resign. But yor
shall both have .lieutenancies - frs
lieutenancies, If possible"
"In the old regiment?" exclaimed
Brainard. "Hurrah"
"Hurrahw | echoed. The colone
grasped our hands and almost crushed
them in his own. Then he said:
Meanwhile, on the basis Of the com
missions to the Forty-third, I'll have
both of you as enlisted men discharged
atonce. That will enable you to 60 home
and tell your story, and McTwyny's-
he came from your town, l believe
Twill also enable you to see that imag
NATIVE young woman"
Bralnard's pale face became sun
burst in an instant. The colonel con
tinued:
"'Twill also enable you to draw your
pay, and, as the paymaster Is about
six months overdue, you'll be able q
go home in officers uniform-shouldel
straps and all-eh?"
looked into Brainard's eyes and
saw that the fight with Phil Hamilton
was on.
"Give a man an inch. and he'll take
an ell, colonel" said Brainard. "Would
it be possible to get our papers at oncei
| think tit might save a life II
could start for home tonight"
"It shall be done. Please say to your
captain that | would like to see him."
After tattoo. and also after a howl.
Ing time in our company street. our
comrades having learned Of our good
fortune. we started for Yorktown, IL
miles distant. to catch the morning
boat for Fort Monroe. We were In time
for the Fort Monroe boat for Balti-
more and the morning train for New
York. We got officers uniforms, and
made It my special business that
Brainard's should fit perfectly. he
was in such haste to reach Summer.
ton that he would have been content
with anything topped with shoulder
straps. even saw to 1t that he wore
sash and sword belt Meanwhile l
prayed that my letter about Brainard
might reach Summerton before US.
We did not reach town till long after
dark. AS our house was on the direct
way to Brainard's suggested that he
should stop with me. II only for q mo-
ment. and be did not refuse. As we
approached the house was glad to see
that It was still lighted. Village people
retire early. and l had feared ! might
have to rouse a sleeping family. On
reaching the piazza | tiptoed to the
parlor blinds and open window to rec
onnuitcr and to increase the pleasure
of anticipation. There sat my cousin
May. and was startled at the change
that single year had wrought. for she
was no longer girl. but n vision of
womanly beauty. | could have stood
there many moments for the joy OF
gazing at her, but l heard O. familiar
voice and then saw. at the left Of the
room, Phil Hamilton. How handsome
he was, confound him! Oh, If | could
know that my letter about Brainard
had reached May! For Hamilton was
saying:
81 asked you an important question
in two or three successive letters, but
you did not answer it. so I've used my
earliest possible opportunity to repeat
the question in person"
Quickly ! drew Brainard after me
through the doors and pushed him into
the parlor. Hamilton rose quickly, and
despite his habitual and superb compo'
sure he literally staggered as he saw
two of his late brother noncommission.
ed officers in lieutenant's uniforms.
Apparently May had received my let,
ter and been properly affected by It.
for, though she turned pale as she rose
and looked at us, she quickly became
rosy, courtesied to Hamilton and said:
81 like you very much, but here is
my answer"
Then she hid the red scar on Brain
ards cheek with two red lips. At that
moment our dog Rover entered the
room and sprang upon me with JOY
Gus whine, and as tried to abate his
frenzy of affection l heard Hamilton
say:
"Lieutenant Brainard, esteem It ar
honor to be the first man to congratu
late YOU"
or course we called on McTwyny's
Norah. q rosy. modest, dainty girl who
compelled us to recall the story oil
Beauty and the Beast" We had moi
intended to tell her all the details Of
the fight for the fence, but she extract
ed them from us. and she shivered
shuddcred. cried and laughed. She also
kissed us both and commended us tt
the eternal guardianship Of all the
saints.
Brainard and May were not married
till after the war. by which time Brain
ard was a brigadier general In higt
staff position. and General Grant ant
many other general officers attended
the wedding; so did Phil Hamilton ant
his wife, who was as handsome ant
distinguished looking as he; so did No
rah and Mick McTwyny. the i*'ter II
the uniform of a lieutenant U'nonel o
cavalry. But. as Journeys <"d will
lovers meeting" this story. too. mus
end.
THE END.