Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-03-27

changes for the better as were pos
sible, soaking the clotted blood from
out my hair, and washing the powder
stains from my face, l felt should
no longer prove an object of aversion
even to the critical eyes of the women,
who would fully realize the cause for
my torn and begrimed uniform.
A glance from the window told me
the Federal cavalrymen. were bearing
out the dead and depositing them be-
yond view Of the house in the desert
ed negro cabins. Ebers and one or
two of my own men were standing
near, carefully scanning the uncovered
faces as they were borne past, while
scraps Of conversation overheard
brought the information that the long
dining room where l had passed the
night on guard had been converted in
to temporary hospital.
lrresolute as to my next action, /
passed out into the upper hall. 1t was
deserted and strangely silent, seem
ingly far removed from all those ter.
rible scenes so lately enacted in the
rooms beneath. My head by this time
throbbed with pain; l desired to be
alone, to think, to map out my future
course before proceeding down the
stairs to meet the others. With this
in view l sank down in complete
WEAKNESS upon convenient set
tee. My heavy head sank back
upon the arm of the settee, and
deep sleep closed my eyes. It
was in my dreams l felt it flrst-a
light, moist touch upon my burning
forehead-and imagined was q
child once more, back at the old home,
caressed by the soft hand of my moth
er. But as consciousness slowly re-
turned began to realize dimly where
l was, and that was no longer alone.
A gentle hand was stroking back tho
hair from of my temples, while the
barest uplift of my eyelids revealed
the folds Of dark blue skirt pressing
close to my side. Instantly l realized
who must be the wearer, and remained
motionless until I could better con-
troll my first unwise impulse.
She spoke no word, and cautiously
opened my eyes and glanced up into
her face. For a time she remained
unaware of my awakening, and sat
there silently stroking my forehead,
her gaze fixed musingly upon the
window at the farther end of the hall.
Doubtless she had been sitting thus
! for some time, and had become alb.
sorbed in her own reflections, for l
lay there drinking in her beauty for
several moments before she CHANGED
to glance downward and observe that
was awake. / think tho very in.
tensity of my gaze awakened her from
, reverie, for she turned almost with
; start and looked down upon me. AS
our eyes met, warm wave of color
dyed her throat and cheeks crimson
Why" she exclaimed in momentary
confusion. Il supposed should know
before you awoke, and have ample
time to escape unobserved. l dis.
covered you lying here. You were
resting very uncomfortably when ]
first came, and 1 felt it my duty to
render your position as easy as pos.
sible. l did not forget that your ia.
! tigue came in our Defense"
Gould you not say In yours?" ]
! corrected. But 1 have already been
more than repaid. Your hand upon
my brow was far more restful than
I can tell you-its soft stroking min.
gled in my dreams even before awoke
It brought back to me the thought of
my mother. I do not think have had
woman's hand press back my hair
since was a child"
There was look Of pain upon your
face as you lay sleeping, and thought
it might ease you somewhat. have
had some experience as a nurse, you
know" she explained quietly. "You
mentioned your mother; is she yet
iving?"
"she is in Richmond, stopping with
friends, but since my capture we have
lost all trace Of each other. was
reported as having been killed in &C
ton, and I doubt If she even YET
knows the truth. Everything il
SO confused in the capital thai
1t is impossible to trace any
one not directly connected with thu
army, once you lose exact knowledge
of their whereabouts"
! "Your father, then, is dead?"
! He yielded bis life the first yea,