The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1910-12-29

why. declare" she said-.'to think
that / should find In this dreadful
place pieces of my own handiwork!"
Your work. cried the man who
had tossed them there.
II will tell you about it, she ex-
planned. IF you promise not to speak
one word" She looked anxiously
down at the pale face beneath her
own and then flashed a warning
glance at the man who had spoken.
Il have often seen you both in
Hampton" she said, the general here
as he went to and fro each day,
and you, Mr.. Merrill, when you visit
ed in town. My aunt keeps the little
millinery store at the crossroads, so
am also acquainted with your sweet
hearts. l am not sure they would
have been pleased. however. had they
known that l duplicated the rosettes
upon their bonnets. 1t was almost the
last work did before volunteering as
nurse. If / ever have a sweetheart"
she added, Il hope that he will not
be so ready to doubt me. And now"
she asked Of her patient. ''are you
more comfortable?'
His eyes were shining. YES" he
answered. thanks to you'
And as they bore him away the
nurse smilingly slipped the rosette back
into the blue coat pocket The other
man rather shamefacedly replaced his
own.
Guess Pm about ready to fight
again." he said.
you soon will be-" she replied.
bending over him.
AS she passed through the rows Of
cot beds in the rudely constructed hos
pital a few days afterward a weak
voice called to her:
Little milliner." it said, would you
write a letter for me toto the girl
at Hampton?"
She turned quickly. "Yes, general"
she answered in her brisk way.
The sick man watched eagerly for
her coming each day. and the steady
light of her clear gray eyes seemed to
calm and sooth as she bent over the
cot with cheering word.
81 am discharged, little milliner," he
said one morning. "It is to be home
on a furlough."
The nurse laughed unsteadily. And
you will see the face in the bonnet?"
she said.
He left the place one moonlit even
ing and turned to look back at the
slight figure of the nurse framed in
the doorway. Her face cleaned with
white radiance beneath it's muslin
cap
The picture remained with him
throughout the joyous welcome which
followed his arrival at home Ellen
was there to meet him. She had
grown even lovelier, he thought, but
as he fingered on idly at her side he
was conscious of growing disap-
pointment in the girl he had loved.
He reproached himself at the realiza-
ton that he was eager to be away,
then squared his shoulders and drew a
long free breath.
Il am going back" he told her. 81
must be in the midst Of this fight"
He prepared for departure in a fe-
yer of Impotence, and then at the
last moment came the glad news, her.
aided from tongue to tongue. that the
war was ended.
| The young soldier listened dazedly
| to the rejoicing Of his companions.
and as the train which was to bear
him away changed noisily into the sta
ton he swung himself on to the plat
form and waved goodby.
He must find the little gray eyed
nurse. He must see her just once
more. AS he assembled the hill leading
up to the camp hospital all was hustle
and confusion, and at last, with a
great sigh of relief, he espied a white
clad figure coming alone down the
pathway.
ooh. little milliner," he cried, So
feared that you had goner'
She drew back, startled at the sound
Of his voice. then smiled. do you
eral," she asked. land our work here
Is fn1ShedV
II knew" he answered, but l had
to see you again. If only to say good.
by"
The gray eyes regarded him seri-
ously. And the face in the bonnet?'
she questioned
II have given my word" he said
sadly. II must return to her."
Then the nurse motioned him to a
| seat at her side. 81 have a confession
| to make" she began. Remember that
all is fair in love and war; so when /
| found you and Robert Merrill side by
| side upon the battleield-you fatally
| wounded. as ! supposed-well, | told
| lie about the two rosettes, hoping to
make it easier for you to die, easier
| for him to live. The bits of forgetme-
not were fashioned by my hands, it is
true. but both were sewed upon Ell
len Richmond's bonnet"
| She paused. will 1t grieve you
L