The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-02-09

er, questioning the nurses and bend
ing over each bed.
But evening approached, and all bad
been in vain. The hope which had
supported her during the day depart
ed like the light. In the evening she
stopped quite exhausted; the supreme
effort of will she had made to gaze
without weakness at the unforgetable
spectacle of these unfortunate soldiers
pale, bleeding, emaciated; that
sweet CLEAN of hope which had CIV
en- her strength to endure the COM
plants of sufferers, the sight Of hid
eous wounds, all abandoned her soul.
In the midst of her grief she was now
alone, more than orphan; and with
out murmur, without revolt against
the cruelty of her fate, she bowed her
head and wept as she had wept the
day before, as she would weep again
on the morrow. Then she recalled
the horrible vision of unsightly
wounds, the convulsed features Of the
livid countenances contracted with
terror awaiting death, which alone
could end such agony
She pictured to herself her poor
brother, abandoned on some battle
field far from all aid, stretching his
hands to her in agony, calling her to
his side. Suddenly she remembered
that on the previous day hospital
had been established at st. Saulve es-
pecially for officers. Was there any
chance of an unknown sergeant hav-
ing been conveyed thither? Certainly
not, and yet she summoned sufficient
strength to return. In few minutes
she reached the hospital, resolutely
opened the door, and entered.
A military doctor met her.
What are you looking for, miss?"
my brother"
"His name% .
"Sergt Louis Verdier."
you mean Sub-Lieut. Verdier." As
he spoke the doctor pointed to the
long line of mattresses On the floor.
There he is, in the sixth bed"
The ground seemed to fly under her
feet, and, suppressing cry of joy,
she staggered forward, overcome by
happiness and gratitude, falling on
her knees at the side of the bed
on which her brother lay in heavy
stupor, his head enevloped in linen
bandages.
Louis, Louis, am here!" she said,
and almost swooned.
The wounded man recovered con-
sciousness at the sound of her voice
and opened his eyes. Then, recognize
ing his sister, he stretched out both
his hands, unable to raise his head,
which Noemi grasped and bathed
with tears-tears Of joy this time
flowing from heart which at last
had found happiness. Her emotion
was so great that words failed.
The doctor walked quickly forward
and half compelled her to leave the
bedside.
"You must keep calm," he exclaim-
ed, cor we cannot answer for any
thing. The wound is healing; your
brother will certainly recover unless
you spoil our work. Enough for to-
ing, but do not stay now"
Louis Verdier, promoted to a sub
lieutenancy on the field Of battle. was
shot in the forehead, but The bullet
struck him obliquely and passed to
the back of the head, from which 1t
was extracted.
do you know" exclaimed the
happy Noemi some days later as she
sat by the bedside, yesterday my en-
ployer gave me an order for mag
nificent piece Of lace, very difficult
to make, which he requires for
rich English Arm. | began the work
yesterday, and | hope to finish 1t
in ten days. / shall be exceedingly
well paid for this work. Can you
guess what l intend to do with the
money!"
NO" replied the young officer.
well, as the doctor says you will
soon be strong enough, / shall have
you carried home, SO that I can be
at your side night and day. You will
be very happy and soon quite cured"
What a good idea, dear sister!
shall make haste to get better, so
that l may accompany YOU
Il shall work hard, because your
return home is not mere dream, and
this happiness is close at hand"
Every day Noemi passed an hour
at her brothers pillow; he was now
convalescent, and Noemi constantly
chatted about her lace; the work was
progressing rapidly, and, as she had
said, would be completed in ten days.
One morning as she entered the
hospital, her countenance beaming
with joy, her brother made sign to
her to speak in low voice, glancing
as he did so, at a newly arrived pa
tient on the neighboring mattress.
This was Count de Lanterac dam
broyse, lieutenant in the light in
fantry; he had been struck on the
shoulder by a fragment of shell.
Poor youth" exclaimed Noemi,
moved with pity; che has no sister