River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-01-28

door to the inner room, where all the
women OF The town were sewing indus
triously upon big flag.
The two youths looked into each 9TH
er's eyes with unfinching gaze. Then
each turned on his heel and went his
way.
At last the fatefu1 day arrived. The
orders to march had come. In q few
hours the company of brave young souls
would be on the&r way to the field of
honor-and of death. All was hustle
and excitement in the camp on the
green. In the homes We're women's tears
and breaking hearts. AS from the be-
ginning, it was mems to do and work,
women's to wait and weep.
On the rose-clad porch of pretty cot.
tage stood a girl of IS. Her eyes were
dim with unshed tears, the roses had de-
serted her cheeks. The sharp COM
mands on the green and the shrill calls
of the bugle smote upon her breast. The
time for the departure of the company
was but half hour away.
A quick step resounGed on the walk,
the gate was flung open and the young
lieutenant stood before her, hat in hand
and with a strange, pale dignity in his
face.
The girl had known who it was the mo-
ment she heard his step. The color re-
turned to her cheek She looked into
his eyes with a smile.
II thought you would not go away
without saying good-by, Robert" she
said.
Il intended to-" he replied, steadily.
Il am very human, Helen, and love
you more than you can understand. |
Il thought itJust and right that should
have an answer before went-away.
Il did not think it was quite fair to
string things along the same as when
we all were here on the same footing"
She threw up one hand in involuntary
protest-as if to ward blow.
Il beg your pardon" he went on. 81
did not mean to chide you in any way.
was only explaining myself. Ifelt hurt
because you would not choose. and
did mean and cowardly thing"
She raised her hand, deprecatingly.
Eyes, l did," he went on sturdily 81
said something about Ralph which
would have been inexcusable if it were
true-but it was false, and I knew it.
1t was my hot blood that spoke, and I
p;v NJ
go away without telling you"
Helen he went on, Strengthening
and placing his left hand on the nilt Of
his sword, Ralph is drawer man to
stay at home than | am to go to the war.
1t nearly broke his heart the night we
formed the company. But there was no.
body to care for his mother and grand
mother, and if he left the place they
would literally have become paupers.,
He fairly gritted his teeth when he left
the room without signing the roll Capt.
Chalmers said: There, boys, is man
who is showing higher courage than
it will take to face bullets and bayonets.
Pray God that you all may be as true to
your duty as he is to his / knew it,
Helen, when made the cowardly fling
at him in your presence for not enlist
ing. | have asked his pardon. I ask
yours, and / say to you that Ralph is
Drawer man for staying at home than
am for going to the front. And-and-
he is worthy of the love of any girl"
The bugles sang sharp call, the drums
ratified, and the young soldier hat
turned to go.
"Good-by," he said, with half sob.
God bless you"
Robert" screamed the girl, as he
turned away. Come back one minute"
He turned back just in time to catch
her in his arms.
"Robert-Robert," she whispered. as
she hung about his neck. 'It is you
want, and have wanted all the time
only-only-I thought you were unfair.
Oh, / am SO happy"
A great joy leaped into the youths
face. He kissed the upturned lips rap
turously.
The bugles shrieked again, the drums
beat more sharply, sharp commands
rang from across the way. The lieuten-
ant gave the girl one last passionate en-
brace and sprang lightly toward the
gate. In moment his voice could be
heard repeating the commands AS the
retreatlng sounds of the marching men
were heard the girl still stood on the
rose-clad porch, and in her eyes shone
the sweetest light ever given to man to
see.