The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-07-31
He lay unconscious and the only

die. He lay unconscious and the only
word he had uttered was the name
Violet" And when the nurse had
found letter addressed 10 a woman
OF that name. among the papers in
his pocketbook, she had hastened TO
inclose IL thus and send IL on.
Tears almost blinded Violet as she
took the inclosure up. The envelope
was yellow and worn, and the writing
upon it-her name-was in the once
| familiar hand of him who had been
her lover. and who had met a sol.
dier's death on the field OF battle!
What did he mean? She could not
understand.
She drew out the letter with
trembling hands. 1t was dated in the
Cuban camp on the night before the
fatal battle:
My darling Violet: Some strange
foreboding tells me that this is my
last night on earth, and cannot face
to-morrow's chances without writing
to you once more and telling you
again of my love for you-and 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 I rewarded his friendship?
| found out by merest chance that he
loved a girl. and Jealous of his
love-wished to know what girl. to
| see whether | thought her worthy OF
him. That girl was you-I saw you,
fell in love with you, and-knowing
what / knew strove to win your
love and | succeeded. knew he had
not spoken SO | fastened to speak
first. Violet, he never reproached
me. He turned white when / told
him had won you, but he clenched
his hands and kept back the bitter
words. He only exacted a promise
that I should try to be worthy Of
you from that time on. And l meant
to try-but | am not worthy of you,
dear, yet / love you so! And IL /
| live mean to marry you. But IL
die, want you to marry him, for he
is as noble a fellow as ever lived.
intend he shall read this letter which
he is to deliver to you in case of my
death. Should I live, shall destroy
it on the day We leave Cuba. / hope
I shall live, my dArling-yet know
the happier fate for you would be my
death.
That God will bless you, Violet, is
the prayer of your unworthy Tom.
p S. Jack has read this letter and
has promised to send it to you if |
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 fastened 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 let
ter. And of the nurse when she had
come she could ask no question-she
only named his name.
The nurses kind face brigh tened.
Good news for you, my dear! He
! is conscious, he is better-the doctors
! think that he will live. Joy can hurt
no one, COME will take you to him
at once"
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?
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.
II have come to take care of you,
dear-to care for you-always, IL you
will let me. For-though you broke
your promise, you faithful friend
the good nurse sent me poor Tom S
letter. And I know, I know the
truth at last. and how noble and
generous you have been!" - Spring
! field Republican.