The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-06-23
77MzDlTY OF LOVE.
~ ARNOLD BROWN.

" 6NssSGS 0USWsss
II was April =, 1861. The til reg
iment was ordered to march the next
day to the defense Of Washington. A
reception was 10 be held the evening
before departure in the armory. It
which mothers, wives, sisters and
sweethearts could bid adeu 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 desk In his comfortable home
writing. This Is what he wrote:
Il have delayed to speak. fearing
to be repealed, but now at the last
moment must tell you that I love
you-loye you better than my life
Everything but my duty. May hope
II return that l may claim you for
my wlfer II Yes wear one Of these
flowers tonight at the reception"
The words. such as a 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 small
compass. and taking up bouquet
that lay beside him, he thrust his
missiye into its center. covering II
with the flowers as IL fearful the girl
would find II. Calling servant he d.
rected him 10 carry the flo~Ars TO their
destination and report 10 him fhat
they had been received by the young
lady. Then he walked the floor TIL
the report had been made.
j That night at the armory he watched
eagerly for the signal. Presently ne
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
man In his first fight. quailed. He
left the hall and did not return TO Il.
Egerton proved the reverse in war
of what he was In love. He returned
with an empty sleeve and solonel's
. commission. with brevet rank OF briga'
dIer general. But he had no sooner
reached home than his lovers cow
ardlce got the better Of him. Sensl'
, tive 10 high degree. he dreaded meet
ing the girl who had refused him. his
, dread being enhanced by the absence
Of hts right arm. A mutilated man
nurses his misfortune. and Il Is doubt
|, ful II any solder Is proud OF the loss
, Of limb The general ranked al
his malming. for he considered that 4
! removed him further. IL that could be
from the woman he still loved. To e.
cape meeting with her as soon as he
was mustered out OF the service he
made a tour abroad. But this only
deferred the meeting, and at last he
summoned courage and went back q
, 1.-THE city where they both lived.
On the street one day he saw hcr
. coming. II he continued 10 adyanct
he would meet her face to face. Nc
looked about him. as he had seen many
a man do on the field Of battle. foI
|, cover. An alley was near. Il was .
: narrow, mean looking lane. but he
dashed into IL. II Jed nowhere. and he
!. found himself In a pocket flanked b,
: the rear OF small SLOPES. He stood
, trembling ill he knew that his enem,
must have passed. then skunk out q
= II and pursued his way.
/ A few days later he received . frishl
! that took away his breath. II was ~
: invitation 10 an evening function CIV
! at Miss Hsrdings home. Fortunate
= iy the date Of the AFFAIR was som'
4 days away. He resolved q dozen umc'
a to "regret" 70 20. but, having time Y
!, get up little courage at the last mo
! ment, sent an acceptance. II had NJ
: sooner been dispatched than he wishe
!. to recall II. But II was too late.
' On the appointed date he got int'
i evening dress, pinned up his empt'
4 sleeve. heaving deep sigh az he az
. 40, and went TO the house. Hair a
hour In the roblng room was neces