Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-11

hampton, S0e SalO, Ile general mere
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. I am not sure they would
have been pleased, however. had they
known that ! duplicated the rosettes
upon their bonnets. 1t was almost the
last work I did before volunteering as
a nurse. If ever have a sweetheart"
she added, AZ 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. eyes," 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 I'm 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," il 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 a cheering word.
81 am discharged, little milliner," he
said one morning. ut is to be home
on a furlough."
The nurse laughed unsteadily. And
you will see the face in the bonnetY
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 its 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 a 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 a 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.
"Oh, little milliner," he cried, 81
feared that you had goner'
She drew back, startled at the sound
Of his voice, then smiled. do you
not know that the war is over, gen
eraI," she asked, ''and our work here
is fnished?"
Il knew" he answered, "but 1 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
81 have given my word" he said
sadly. IT 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 battle1eld-you fatally
wounded, as / supposed-well, 1 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 FL
len Richmond's bonnet"
she paused. VIII IL RrleVe you
now to learn that Robert Merrill has
tened back to marry her the moment
that peace was declared"
But it was certainly not grief that
shone from the young mans eyes as
he leaned toward her.
cit is you 1 want, little nurse" he
begged. "Win you go home with me?'
She sat white and smiling in the
golden light Of the setting sun, and
then The old soldier threw back his
white head as though he were listen
ing to marshaling music.
Did she marry him." I insisted.
His laughter rang out like that of a
boy. You shall see" he answered
and raised his voice to call "Motherr'
A little old lady who had been SIT
ting at the farther end OF the lawn
arose in answer and came toward