Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-20

Shall both have lleutenancies first
lieutenancies, if possible"
"In the old regiment?" exclaimed
Brainard. "Hurrah.'
"Hurrah" l echoed. The colonel
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 go home
and tell your story, and McTwyny's-
he came from your town. believe.
Twill also enable you to see that mag
NATIVE young woman"
Brainard's pale face became a 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 to
go home in officers uniform-shoulder
straps and all-eh"
looked into Brainard's eyes and
saw that the fight with Phil Hamilton
was on.
Give Il man an inch, and he'll take
an ell, colonel" said 3rainard. "Would
it be possible to get orr papers at once?
think lit might save n life If l
could start for home tonight"
ut shall be done. Please say to your
captain that would like to see him."
After tattoo, and also after howl
ing time in our company street, our
comrades having learned of our good
fortune, we started for Yorktown, -
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
l made 1t my special business that
Brainards 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 it that he wore
sash and sword belt. Meanwhile
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, If only for a mo-
ment, and he did not refuse. AS we
approached the house was glad to see
that 1t was still lighted. Village people
retire early. and had feared might
lave to rouse a sleeping family. On
reaching the piazza 1 tiptoed to the
IL -,
onnoiter and to increase the pleasure
of anticipation. There sat my cousin
May, and l was startled at the change
that single year had wrought, for she
was no longer girl, but vision Of
womanly beauty. could have, stood
there many moments for the Joy Of
gazing at her, but l heard 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:
II 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 l 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 heard Hamilton
say:
Lieutenant Brainard, esteem it an
honor to be the first man to congratu-
late YOU"
OF course we called on McTwyny's
Norah, a rosy, modest, dainty girl who
compelled us to recall the story of
Beauty and the Beast" We had not
intended to tell her all the details of
the fight for the fence, but she extract
ed them from us, and she shivered,
shuddered. cried and laughed. She also
kissed us both and commended us to
the eternal guardianship Of all the
saints.
Brainard and May were not married
till after the war, by which time Brain
ard was brigadier general in high
staff position, and General Grant and
many otter general officers attended
the wedding; so did Phil Hamilton and
his wife, who was as handsome and
distinguished looking as he; so did No
rah and Mick McTwyny, the latter in
the uniform of n lieutenant colonel of
cavalry. But, as Journeys end with
lovers meeting" this story. too, must
end.