The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1910-08-19
TIMIDTTY OFLOVE
A Veteran of the Civil War
Ouails Before Woman
By ARNOLD BROWN
Copyright. 1910, by American Press
Association.

1t was April -. 1861. The -th reg
iment was ordered to march the next
day to the defense of Washington. A
reception was to be held the evening
before departure in the armory. at
which mothers. wives. sisters and
Sweethearts could bid adieu to their
loved ones. some of whom might not
return. During the afternoon previous
to the reception young Norman Eyer
ton, second lieutenant of G company,
sat at Il desk in his comfortable home
writing. This is what he wrote:
l have delayed to speak. fearing to be
repeled. but now al the last moment l
must tell you that 1 love you-love you
better than my hfe-everythng but my
duty. May l hope if l return that / may
claim you for my wife? If Yes" wear
one of these flowers tonight at the recep-
ton
The words, such as boy would
write who realized into what he was
going. were intended for Miss Mabel
Harding. even younger than himself.
They were written ON a bit of thin
paper. which he folded into a small
compass. and. taking UP a bouquet
that lay beside him. he thrust his
missive into it's center. covering it
with the flowers as if fearful the girl
would find it. Calling Il servant, he di-
rected him to carry the flowers to their
destination and report to him that they
had been received by the young lady.
Then he walked the floor till the report
had been made.
That night at the armory he watched
eagerly for the signal. Presently he
saw Miss Harding walking toward
him on the arm of man whom he
had feared as a rival. She wore no
flowers. The young officer. like many
a man in his first fight. quailed. He
left the hall and did not return to it.
Egerton proved the reverse in war
Of what he was in love. He returned
with an empty sleeve and coloners
commission. with brevet rank OF briga
der general. But he had no sooner
reached home than his lovers cow
ardice got the better OF him. Sensi
tive to high degree. he dreaded meet
ing the girl who had refused him. his
dread being enhanced by the absence
of his right arm. A mutilated man
nurses his misfortune. and it is doubt
full If any soldier is proud Of the loss
of a limb. The general ranked at
his manning. for he considered that it
removed him further. if that could be.
from the woman he still loved. To es-
cape meeting with her as soon as he
was mustered out of the service he
made tour abroad But this only
deferred the meeting. and at last he
summoned courage and went back to
she city where they both lived.
On the street one day he saw her
coming. If he continued to advance
he would meet her face to face. He
looked about him. as he had seen many
man do on the field Of battle. for
cover An alley was near. 1t was
narrow. mean looking lane. but he
dashed into it. 1t led nowhere. and he
found himself in pocket fanked by
the rear of small shops. He stood
trembling till he knew that his enemy
must have passed. then SUNK out of
1t and pursued his way.
A few days later he received fright
that took away his breath. 1t was an
invitation to an evening function given
at Miss Harding's home Fortunately
the date of the affair was some days
away. He resolved dozen times to
regret" to go. but. having time to get
up little courage at the last moment.
sent an acceptance. 1t had no sooner
been dispatched than he wished to re-
call it. But it was too late.
On the appointed date he got into
evening dress. pinned up his empty
sleeve. heaving deep sigh as he did
so. and went to the house. Half an
hour in the robing room was neces-
sary to give him the requisite courage
to go below The hosts were drawn
up to receive their guests. to Egerton
appearing like an opposing line of bat
tie to raw recruit. He approached.
saluted and. seeing Il look OF embar-
rassment on Miss Harding's face. as
soon as the ceremony was over beat
precipitate retreat.
Later he was stalking about. won
dering if sufficient time would ever
pass to enable him to depart with pro-
priety, when he felt hand slipped on
his arm and. turning, saw the girl who
had refused him.
General" she said. with her eyes
on the floor. why did you not come
to see me after your return from the
WARP"
yI-why-l went abroad"
Then why not since your returnY
There was warm hand on his left
arm that impaired courage to his
heart
.T-didn't suppose-that you wished
10 see me-"
"Why notY'
There was a pause before the reply.
1t came at last. DO you remember
that l sent you a bouquet of flowers
before the reception given the even
Ing previous to our departure?"
II do"
And the scrap Of paper in it?"
1.-THE scrap Of paper?"