Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-10-04
DAILY SHORT STORIES

prise
"Why, declare" she said-"to think
that should find In this dreadful
place pieces OF my own handiwork"
Your work." cried the man who
had tossed them there
Il win tell you about It," she ex.
planned, III you promise not To speak
one word" She looked anxiously
down at the pale face beneath her
own and then flashed warning
glance at the man who had spoken.
II have often seen you both In
Hampton" she said. the general here
ms 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 swce,
hearts. am not sure they would
have been pleased, however. had they
known that I duplicated the rosettes
upon their bonnets. II was almost the
last work l did before volunteering Ms
nurse. III ever have n sweetheart"
she added. II hope that he Will not
be so ready TO doubt me. And now"
she asked OF her patient. ARE you
more comfortableg
His eyes were shining. yes" he
answered. thanks TO you"
And as they bore him away the
nurse smilingly slipped the rosettc 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 few days afterward weak
voice called TO her:
Little milliner." II said. "would YOU
write letter for me toto the girl
at Hampton?'
She turned quickly. Eyes, 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 ana sooth rs she bent over the
cot with II cheering word
II am discharged little millincr." he
said one morning. at Is TO be home
on furlough."
The nurse laughed unsteady. and
you Will see the face I'm the bonnet?"
she said.
He left the place one moonlIt even
ing and turned TO look back Mt the
slight figure OF the nurse framed I'm
the doorway. Her face cleaned with
a white radiance beneath It's 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
IS he fingered on idly at her side he
was conscious OF n growing dirap-
pointment In the girl he Ind loved.
He reproached himself at the rcaliZa-
ton that he was eager to be away.
then squared his shoulders and drew n
long free breath.
Il nm going back" lie told her. T
must be in the midst OF this Gglt."
He prepared for departure I'm 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 daZcdIy
TO the rejoicing OF hls companions
and as the train which was to bear
him away changed noislly into the sta
ton he swung himself Oh TO the plat.
form and waved goodby.
lie 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
ana confusion, and at last. with n
great sigh OF relief, he cspicd white
clad figure coming alone down the
railway.
"Oh. little milliner," he cried. II
feared that you had gone"
She drew back. startled at the sound
OF his voic0. then smiled DO YOU
not know that the war is over. zen.
craI.' she asked. land our work here
Is Gnished?"
II knew" he answered. but had
to see you again. If only to say good
by"
The gray eyes regarded him sari-
ously. And the face I'm the bonnct?"
sic questioned.
y have Giycn my word" be- said
sadly. Il must return 10 hcr."
1I'n tie nurse motioncd him TO
scat nt her side 81 have confession
TO make" she began. "Remombcr that
all s. fair.:n love and war So when
found YOU and EObcrt Merrill side by
sid" upon the battlefield You fatally
wounded. rs ] supposed-wcI. told
lic about the two roscttcs. hoping to
make &c easier FOR you 10 die. easier
for him TO I've. The bits Of forgctmc.
not were fashioned by my hands. 81 e.
true. but both were scwcd upon FL
Zen Richmonds bonnet"
She paused. VIII It grove you
NOW 70 learn that Robert Merrill has.
!encd back to marry her the moment
liUf