Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-07
CHAPTER xxxIv.
The Words Of Love.

Vne WORDS OF Love.
1t was in my dreams l felt it ffrst-a light,
moist touch upon my burning forehead-and
I amagined I was child once more, back
at the old home, caressed by the soft hand
of my mother. But as consciousness slow
ly returned I began to realize dimiy where
I was, and that 1 was no longer alone. A
gentle hand was stroking back the hair
from off my temples. while the barest up
lift Of my eyelids revealed the folds Of
dark blue skirt pressed close to my side.
Instantly 1 realized who must be the wear
er, and remained motionless Until could
better control my first unwise impulse.
She spoke no word, and / cautiously
opened my eyes and glanced up into her
face. For time she remained unaware of
my awakening, and sat there silently
stroking my forehead her gaze fixed mus
ingly upon the window at the farther end
Of the hall. Doubtless she had been sit
ting thus for some time, and had become
absorbed in her own reflections, fer I lay
there drinking in her beauty for several
moments before she CHANGED to glance
downward and observe that l was awake.
The evidences of past exposure and strain
We're not absent from her features, yet had
not robbed her of that delicate charm
which to my mind separated mel SO
widely from all Others-her rounded cheek
vet retained the fresh hue of perfect
health, her clear, thoughtful eyes were soft
and earnest, while the luxuriant hair, swept
back from off the broad low forehead, had
been tastefully arranged and exhlDlteo no
signs of neglect. 1t was not perfect race
for there was unmistakable pride In it, nor
would 1 venture to term it faultless IN con-
tour or regularity of outline, but 1t was DIS
tinctly lovable, and the dearest face Tor ever
in all this world TO me- How regally was
the proud head poised upon the round.
swelling throat, and with what regularity
her bosom rose and fell to her soft breath
ing. I think the very Intensity or my gaze
awakened her from reverie, FOR she turned
almost with start and looked down upon
me- AS our eyes met a warm wave OF color
dyed her throat and cheeks crimson.
"Why" she exclaimed, in momentary con-
fusion, Il supposed 1 should know peIore
you awoke, and have ample time 10 escape
unobserved."
Possibly If you had been noting the
symptoms of your patient with greater care
you would
land had almost forgotten where was.
Gould purchase your dream? was IN
tently studying your face as you sat there,
yet was unable to determine whether your
reflections were pleasant or unpleasant.
'"They were merely foolish" was the frank
response but such as they We're they are
certainly not for sale. You are better Cap
tain Wagner" =
liphtful a nurse? l confess 1 am tempted to
say no. so as to regain the soft touch OF
your palm upon my temple; put II vas
really nothing more serious than latisue
how / CHANGED to fall asleep. I merely
sat down here for rest; it was very quiet,
and that was the last l remember. have
I been lying here long,!
There is rule of evidence, L belleVe.
which protects a suspected person from
discriminating himself, but L Will acknowl-
edge that l have been here all or malt an
hour she answered, too proud to deny
l. l1o10 r.
ing where you could have gone, and l
undertook a search upon my own account:
Yes SIR somewhat archly, Il was AFRAID
lest your injuries were more serious imam
lying here. You were resting very uncom-
fortably when l first came, ana 1eit IL
my duty to render your position as easy
as possible. I did not forget that your
fatigue came in our defense.
Gould you not say in yours cor
rected But I have already been more
than repaid. Your hand upon my bro"
was far more restful than l can tell you
it's soft stroking mingled in my dreams
even before / awoke. 1t brought back to
me the thought of my mother. l do not
think 1 have had woman's hand press
back my hair since ! was chlld:
Her eyes fell slightly, ana she moved
uneasily.
face as you lay sleeping. and | thought IT
might ease you somewhat. nave nag
she explained quietly. You mentioned
your mother; is she yet living?"
She is in Richmond, stopping with
friends but since my capture we have lost
all trace of each other. 1 was reported
as having been killed in action, and L
doubt if she even yet knows the truth
Everything is so confused in the CAPT
tai that it is impossible to trace any
one not directly connected with the army.
once you lose exact knowledge OF their
whereabouts"
your father then, is dead?"
He yielded his life the first year of the
war; and our plantation near Charlottes-
Vile has been constantly in the track or
the armies One rather important battle,
indeed, was fought upon it, so you may
realize that it is now desolate, and utterly
unfit for habitation."
THE house yet StandS?
THE chimney and one wall alone re-
manned when L was there, 1 repneu, gao
of the interest she exhibited. Fortunately
two of the negro cabins were yet standing.
Doubtless these will form the nucleus or
our home when the war ceases; they VIII
prove a trife better than the mere SKY.
1.-The south is certainly paying terrible
price for rebellion she said soberly,
her fine eyes filled with tears. Only those
of us who have beheld some portion or the
sacrifice can ever realize now compete II
Isl .
THE uselessness of 1t is what makes 1t
seem now so unutterably sad
yes" she assented, land this the south
is beginning to understand. but Cdllilot
help thinking of the joy awaiting your
mother when she learns that you are well,
after she has mourned you as dead. 1t Will
almost repay her for all the rest. How
should love to be the bearer of such news
AS she spoke she quietly rose to her feet
and smiled pleasantly as 1 took advantage
of the opportunity to sit up.
II thought you must be tired, lying IN
that position SO long; besides, am sure
have tarried here quite as long as l should,
now that 1 can be of no further service"
AS she gathered her skirts In her hand
preparatory to descending the stairs, !
Welded to temptation and stopped her.
Right or wrong 1 must yet have one word
more.
II beg of you do not desert me so soon.
This may prove our final meettng-indeed.
l fear it must be; surely, then, it need not
be so brief a one?"
She paused irresolute, one white hand
resting upon the dark stair-rafl, her face
turned partially aside SO could only guess
at it's expression.
"Our final meeting?
She echoed my words as though scarcely
comprehending their meaning.
Yes" said, rising and standing before
her. How can we well hope it shall be
otherwise? 1 am not free to remain here,
even were it best for other reasons. for
am soldier under orders. You undoubtedly
will proceed north at the earliest possible
moment There Is scarcely a probability
that In the great wide world we Shall meet