The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-07-30
HAPPY
OUTCOME
Bv ANDREW c. EWING
Copyright. lsl0. by American Press
Association.

there is compenSa ton in all things.
An example of this came under my
observation in the case of one of my
subordinates in the army. 1t began
during an engagement.
In the heat Of the fight a stretclcr
was carried past me and | saw the
face Of one Of my lieutenants. Tom
Ashley, pale and with closed eyes
He opened them and gave me the most
melancholy look | ever received from
any one. A blanket was laii across
his body, leaving his legs bare 1t
was but mOmentary passage, after
which ! became as intent on directing
the work Of slaughter as before. We
won a victory aud pushed on after the
enemy, leaving our dead to be put in
the ground by burial squad and our
wounded to be taken care OF by the
surgeons. They cut of a part of Ash
ley's left leg and all of his right arm.
felt an especial pang in the case of
Ashley. for. besides being the most
promising suba!tern in my battalion.
knew that he was engaged to be mar
ried to Il very lovely girl. Besides be-
ing lovely. she had fortune in her
own right. and | knew that Ashley.
who had nothing but his pay. was
looking forward to his marriage with
her as soon as the war was over and
a happy life to follow. In one short
fight that lasted barely ten minutes
he had been made a cripple and his
life was blighted.
A few days later, being near the hos
pital where Lieutenant Ashley WAS
lying. went to see him. | found him.
as l expected. in a melancholy STATE
Of mind. His distress all seemed con
centrated Oh the fact that he must
give up the girl he loved ! endeavor-
ed to comfort him by suggesting that
she might make a sacrifice for him.
but he assured me that OH no account
would he permit her to do SO. Indeed.
he told me that he had been waiting
for some one nearly connected with
him to write her. announcing his mu
tilation and that he released her.
1t was sad duty. and when it was
performed l ventured again to express
q doubt as to whether the girl would
accept of her release. but Ashley de-
body would permit a girl to tie herself
up for life with Il man minus leg and
an arm. Besides. she was the idol Of
her parents. who would not permit her
to make any such sacrifice. They wer"
so ambitious for her that they had only
reluctantly consented to her engage
rnent with Ashley. who was one of the
| most promising officers in the army.
He described her to he as Il very fcuii-
nine person. who had been brought up
| to follow their slightest wish Consid-
ering this feature Of the case. | mailed
the letter, believing that Lieutenant
Ashley and Miss Barnes would mutu-
ally agree to give up their prospective
| union.
Two days were required for the mis-
| sive to reach it's destination. and Il re
ply could not be received in less than
| two days more. Meanwhile visited
Ashley twice. He evidently felt easier
| since he had dispatched his letter. con
| sidering the matter Of his engagement
+! closed On the fifth day after | had
| sent his missive l went to the hospital
| and there found the reply.
1t was Miss Barnes herself.
/ The meeting had taken place-for the
| girl had arrived several hours before -
| and with it had passed that first shock
! at the coming together OF two people
who had suffered and must continue to
| suffer such an overwhelming misfor-
| tune Miss Barnes had more nearly
| recovered from it than Ashley. though
| now and again | could see tiny wave
lets Of something like happiness pass
ing over his face. Miss Barnes was
busying herself to make him more
comfortable. She had brought with
her certain articles for the purpose. es-
| pecially underclOthing. which he great
ly needed. and with the help Of sol
der nurse was putting it on him with
| no more conjunction than if she bad
!, been his wife.
| Miss Barnes remained with Ashley
| until he was sufficiently recovered II
| travel, when She took him home with
| her. A few months later. the war he
ing over. followed. Ashley had
| given in to the Girl Vh"ln he loved and
who loved him. and they We're only
| waiting for me 10 be- present 1T the
wedding Miss RarneS had aStoui>hed
every one by having her own way il
the matter. having conquered her par
ents as we'll as her lover.
The wedding was not one Of those
| Joyous occasions where the young PEG
! pie start out In n career that HEAVIER
seems to smile on. The witnesses fell
a tinge of sadness. and the groom Wa
inexpressibly overcome. Only the bride
seemed to be herself. She told mt
after the ceremony that she helieve
she was happier than if her husband
had been physically perfect. Tie rca
son she gave for this was that he MAJ
she loved So dearly WIS and would ia
dependent upon her for his iitvlcn.
comfort In ministcrin.- IL that 60 III
fort she had not only an object. bU
an object thtt filled her whole heart.
l visited the Ashley: seine year:
later Tom had accepted II professor
ship to teach military branches in ;
college. thus having his time pleasa NJ
| " occupied. Two children had com,
to the couple. both of whom appre
ciated beyond their years their father
physical loss. But this physical depri
vation was his only loss. and by Il b.
had gained the undivided affection o
family. He had become accustomed
70 h.a Cd iny, 4 ho-