The National tribune., 1903-06-18

it's all real and so. The flowers seem too
sweet, the sun too bright, and you too
handsome to be actually so for this
EARTH"
well, I can tell you that the sun is
brighter than l ever knew it, and the
flowers are much prettier, and smell
sweeter. No doubt of that, As for me,
feel regular fright, with this old Calico
all sunburned, and freckleder than
guinea's egg. l wonder that you can care
for me at all, looking so like witch"
''Stop that. / won't let even you run
yourself down. 1 didn't suppose that any
girl, this side Of heaven, could be as hand
some as you are this minute. And, some
how, can't make it seem really real that
you're setting here by me, me holding your
hand, an that you are going to marry
me. I'm afraid all the time I'll wake up,
and swear at myself for being such an
impudent idiot to even dream such
things"
mo, dear. You aint dreaming at all.
1t is all really so, and I'm to be your wife
forever and evermOre, as sure as the sun
rises tomorrow. Now, come, let me help
you in, dear. You've staid out here as
long as it's prudent, and l want to be sure
that you'll be able to go with NE to the
church the boys are fixing up for the
tongue got tripped over the bold utter
ance of the sacred word. Il wish you
could see it, viii, its just beautiful. An
mabel and l went out with mother to look
at the Cathedral as the boys have
named it. They wouldn't let me stay as
long as l wanted to, but l saw enough
to know that nothing grander ever was
built by hands,"
"And you aint sorry that we're going
to be married this way, SO far from your
home and friends? 1t don't seem right
for girl like you to have things so rough
and tumble. You're sure you won't be
sorry?"
Shorty's dim eyes looked pleadingly up
in the blue ones bent upon him as Maria
stood by his side, her hand resting on his
thin shoulder, her face full of tender con-
Germ for the man she loved devotedly. The
big soldier was as n baby in strength, and
as he realized his weakness and helpless
ness. it seemed to him that the strong,
healthful nature Of the sweet woman
whom he loved as life itself must revolt
at tying herself for life to such q bulk
as he was.
Maria put her strong white hands un-
der Shorty's arms and lifted him gently
to his feet. when, stopped as he was, he
lowered above her. 'There, WILL" she
said with loving pat of the bony hands
on the cane he leaned upon, Il am look
If l am ever sorry, you will have to do
something to make me so. If you was
well and strong. I'd be the happiest wom-
an on earth Never ask me a question
like that again. VIII. I love you; aint
that enough? Now, GOMEZ and imperi-
ously, Maria led him into the hospital.
Harry Joslyn was fully as eager as the
rest to do something especially noteworthy
toward the wedding. He had read that
orange-blossoms were highly priced for
the bride, and he determined to get some
for Maria. He had been told at Savan-
nah that the orange bloomed all the year
around, and though this was farther
north, he had hopes that he would find
some of the wild oranges which grew in
profusion about the town greeting the
Spring with their bloom. He set out re-
solved to have some if they were to be
found anywhere.
He forgot when he started out that he
was carrying the precious diamond ring.
purchased with his comrades money Nor
did he notice that he was being watched
and followed by three or four of the riff
raft from around the division train. The
story of what Co. Q had done had spread
through the camp, and many knew that
the valuable ring was in Harry's posses
sion. One blossoming thicket after an
other allured him on, until, before he
knew it, he was couple Of miles from
camp, and quite distance from any of
the usually Travelled roads.
Then he noticed the men coming in diff
ferent directions over the rise behind
him, all seeming to trend toward him.
wondered what they We're out for. and
then remembered the ring. and abused
himself for not having left it with ALI or
Monty. But right ahead of him was a
clump Of sure-enough wild oranges, in full
bud, with q few blossoms beginning to
open. He rushed at them, and was lust
reaching up when he heard a cracking
of the bushes near by: and turning, saw
the ruffianly camp-followers closing in 4
upon him. -His first impulse was to
thrust his hand into his breast, as ifj
reaching for a revolver. The scoundrels
recoiled little. and turned their heads.
as il to run. He drew out the ring in