Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-01-27
The SOLDIER LOVER.

M Mgi @ a5istes nasas,sn aAVn as
we lovingly called her, was
beautiful woman; so far, at least, as
true-hearted, graceful manner might
be so described. Yet, but for the ex
preston of the dark, mournfui eye,
one could easily have passed her by;
but there the story was written, Of
storms and Gains; that strange indeli-
bic mark
AS my head-so weary from the
ceaseless effort to count the reverend
ing music-cleared, and my drowsy
sense slowly returned, l became con-
scious of tall, silent presence clad In
flowing robes. [ saw again the grave,
sweet face that had fingered DER me
in my dreams, and the little cool hands
with their white futtering fingers that
had been as quivering harpstrings to
me in my weakness and delirium; their
touSa SO soft, SO tender, bearing faint
ly, like her sombre garments, fragrant,
spicy odors, had called me back to life
when hope was almost gone
One week ago we were sitting here
together watching the stars light up
the splendid skies. Joyful at my res
toration to health, playfully asked
whether her lover had died in the war;
for that is the story we ':old maids"
always tell, you know.
Instantly her tender lips quivered,
as she answered: You may be glad,
my dear, that your life has been so safe,
SO sheltered There are those whose
lives are daily tragedies, whose hearts
are fields strewn with sorrow, as bat
tile grounds with DEATH
| knew the story I SO longed to hear
was coming, and in silence unbound
and smoothed her glossy hair. She
was weary, and my touch magnetic,
she said; and / had made this my dali
~, self-appointed task.
YES" she continued, dreamiy, "my
lover was soldier We met one glo-
rious day, under the charm Of the sea
and sky. We loved each other tender
", yet we parted. That was all. It
was long ago. I grew careless and
Indifferent and repented, alas, too late.
And then | looked, unknowing, for the
last time within those splendid eyes,
and they will haunt me always, with
their silent, deep regret. Afterward,
in the desire to become useful, 1 be-
came nurse to those travelling over
the same broad. weary road"
She paused moment. Within the
conservatory, student was singing
the sweet notes of Faust's immortal
song:
1--WE were not born with true love to
trif1e,
Nor born to part because the wind
blows cold
What tho the storms the summer gar
den rifle
O. margaritas-still on the bough is
left leaf Of gold.'
We were both weeping as the song
ended; she in bitterness, / in sympa-
thy.
II can't tell you why I have told
you this sad story" she said, "but to-
night my heart is aching o, so weari-
"; tomorrow 1 will be strong again )"
Perhaps he may return I ven
tured, comforta bly,, as looked hastily
around, thinking 1 had heard q foot
step.
NO" she continued sadly. eT
thought the same for many years: and
so I endeavored 10 educate my life to
this--to elevate my senses, to improve
my manner that had caused such bitter
pain. When heavenly power seemed
to crown my labors | read his name
among the wounded, and the world
grew dark again. In those days I
realized all my life had lost; treasures
chat youth had scattered careless as
the breeze has swept these withered
rose leaves low in the dust; yet their
fragrance ascends, and my spirit arose
to gain quiet satisfaction in life's
daily toll. When body and soul dwell
in harmony together. improvement fol-
lows Morally, mentally, physically,
new resolves, new purposes, new life,
happiness, passionless calm, universal
love- This is the ladder reaching on
toward purer heights.
Arising in her earnestness, with
heart once more in rebellion, she lean
ed against the pillar of the portico,
and, upraising her beautiful arms in
supplication toward the skies, she
questioned in bitterness that great re-
lentless power. But soon the sweet pa
tent spirit returned, and, with white