Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-09-17


day to the defense of Washington y
reception was to be held the evening
before departure in the armory, at
which mothers, wives, sisters and
sweethearts could bid adicu 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 a desk in his comfortable home
writing. This is what he wrote:
l have delayed to speak. fearing to be
repealed but now at the last moment
must tell you that | love you-love you
better than my life-everythng but my
duty. May | hope If return that / may
claim you for my wife? If Yes" wear
one Of these flowers tonight at the recep-
ton.
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 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 its center, covering it
with the flowers as if fearful the girl
would find it. Calling 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 a man whom he
had feared as rival. She wore no
flowers. The young officer. like many
n 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 coloncPs
commission, with brcvet 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 q high degree, he dreaded meet
ing the girl who had refused him, his
dread being enhanced by the absence
of his right arm. y mutilatcd man
nurses his misfortune, and 1t is doubt
full if any soldier is proud of the loss
of a limb. The general ranked at
his manning, for hW'onsidercd that 1t
removed him further, if that could be.
from the woman he still loved. To es-
cape a 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 to
the 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
a 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 tlanled by
the rear of small shops. He stood
trembling till he knew that his enemy
must have passed, then skunk out of
it 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 a dozen times to
"regret' to go. but, having time to get
up a 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 a deep sigh as he did
so, and went to the house. Half an
hour in the robng 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 a raw recruit. He approached,
saluted and, seeing 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"
'I-why-I went abroad"
Then why not since your return|
There was a warm hand on his left
arm that impaired courage to his
heart
I-didn't suppose-that you wished
to see me-"
"Why not?'
There was n pause before the reply
It came at last. do you remember
that | 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 itT'
1.-THE scrap Of paper"'
Eyes"
She had led him into a corner where
no one but themselves was present,
"Wait here" she said.
Darling away, she ran upstairs and
returned with withered bouquet
Diving into it, she withdrew his note
written six years before and, opening
it, read for the first time his message.
Then. taking all that t.nS l"f' f Il
rose, the stem. she i,7"r!ri ii N her