Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-04

Nhthi III OWb. IHtI lie Sd1u.
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, l believe.
Twill also enable you to see that imag.
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
so 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 man an inch, and he'll take
an ell, colonel" said Brainard. Would
it be possible to get our papers at once?
think TIT might save life If
could start for home tonight"
at shall be done. Please say to your
captain that l 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, ~
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. l 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 Bralnard's | suggested that he
should stop with me- II only for a mo-
ment. and he did not refuse. As we
approached the house was glad TO see
that it was still lighted. Village peopl.
ltllC val ~ anu hdu ItdIFU L Iulpnl
have to rouse a sleeping family. Or
reaching the piazza l tiptoed to the
parlOr blinds and open window to rec
onnoiter and to increase the pleasure
Of anticipation. There sat my cousin
May, and | was startled at the change
that a 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 familiar
voice and then saw, at the left of the
room, Phil Hamilton. How handsome
he was, confound him! Oh, il | could
know that my letter about Branard
had reached May! For Hamilton was
saying:
Il 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 habtual 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 beca me
rosy, courtesied to Hamilton and said:
tI liza ynti1h hrt Go
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 a joy.
Gus whine, and as tried to abate his
frenzy of affection l heard Hamilton
say:
Lieutenant Brainard, l esteem 1t an
honor to be the first man to congratu
late YOU"
or course we called on McTwyny's
Norah. 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 shvered,
shuddeEed, 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 other general officers attended
the wedding; so did Phil Hamilton and
his wife, who was as handsome and
distinguished looking rs he; so did No
rah and Mick McTwyny, the latter in
the uniform OF lieutenant colonel Of
cavalry. But. as Journeys end with
lovers meeting" this story, too, must
end.
THE END.
An Apple Trees Roots.
For the purpose OF erecting sllita-