The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-09-12

once familiar hand OF him who had
been her lover, and who had met a
soldiers death on the field of battle
What did he mean ? She could not
understand.
She drew out the letter with tremb-
ling hands. 1t was dated in the
Cuban camp on the night before the
fatal battle:
MY Darling aolet:-Some strange
foreboding tells me that this is my
last night on earth, and I cannot face
tomorrow's chances without writing
to you once more and telling you
again of my love for you-aud of my
utter unworthiness of you, dear. I've
always been an unstable, impetuous
fellow, and Jack-God bless him =
has always stood my friend. He
stood between me and punishment
many time at school, and between
me and the consequences of my folly
more than once since then. And
how have / rewarded his friendship?
I found out by merest chance that he
loved girl, and I, jealous of his
love, wished to know what girl, to
see whether 1 thought her worthy of
him. That girl was you'll saw you,
fell in love with you, and-knowing
what / knew, I strove to win your
love and I succeeded. 1 knew he had
not spoken so l hastened to speak
first. Violet, he never reproached
me. He turned white when 1 told
him had won you, but he clenched
his hands and kept back the bitter
words. He only exacted a promise
that should try to be worthy of you
from that time on. And 1 meant to
try, but am not worthy of you, dear,
yet I love you So And if I live
mean to marry you. But if die 1
want you to marry him, for he is as
noble fellow as ever lived. intend
he shall read this letter which he is
to deliver to you in case of my death.
Should 1 live shall destroy it on the
day we leave Cuba. hope I shall
live, my darling, yet I know the hap
pier fate for you would be my death.
That God will bless you, Violet, is
the prayer of your unworthy Tom.
P. Sack has read this letter and
has promised to send it to you if 1 am
killed. He did not wish to give the
promise, but at last I've made him
do so.
AS fast as train could carry her
Violet hastened to the city where
John lay in the hospital unconscious,
perhaps dead. She prayed that she
might arrive-in time. She prayed
that he might know her when she
came.
She asked in trembling tones for
the nurse who had sent her the letter.
And of the nurse when she had come
she could ask no question, she only
named his name.
The nurses kind face frightened.
"Good news for you, my dear He
think that he will live. Joy can burt
no one, come, 1 will take you to him
at once" F"
The injured man lay staring at the
doorway with dull eyes. He saw the
nurse look in with pleasant face. She
disappeared and another stood there
in her stead. Was he dreaming I?
Was his mind wandering again?
The sweet white face in the door
way smiled tremulously upon him.
The slender figure drew near and
knelt beside him.
He murmured, "Violet -
Hush, do not speak," she said.
"I have come to take care of you,
dear, to care for you, always, if you
will let me. For, though you broke
your promise, your faithful friend,
the good nurse sent me poor Toms
letter. And I know, I know the
truth at last, and how noble and
generous you have been P'-Sb'img-
field Rebu6lican.