Middletown transcript., 1912-01-27


] my brow was far more restful than
3 can tell you--iss soft stroklng min.
gled In my dreams even before l awoke.
g It brought back to NE the thought of
] my mother, do not think have had
] a woman's hand press back my hair
since I was q child"
There was a look OF pain upon your
face as you lay sleeping, and l thought
/. it might ease you somewhat. l have
, lad some experience as a nurse, you
know" she explained quietly. You
mentioned your mother; is she yet
! Iiving?"
"She is in Richmond, stopping with
friends, but since my capture we have
lost all trace of each other. | was
reported IS having been killed in ac-
ton. and 1 doubt if she even yet
knows the truth Everything is
so confused in the capital that
it is impossible to trace any
one not directly connected with the
army. once you lose exact knowledge
of their whereabouts.
Your father, then, is dead?'
"He yielded his life the first year
Of the war; and our plantation near
Charlottesville has been constantly in
the track OF the armies. One rather
important battle, indeed, was fought
upon It, so You may realize that it is
now desolate and utterly unfit for hab-
itation."
THE house yet stands?"
oIF 81
mained when | was last there" re-
Piled glad of the interest she exhib-
tied Fortunately two of the negro |
cabins were yet standing. Doubtless
these will form the nucleus Of our ,
home when the war ceases; they !
will prove a trife better than the
mere sky"
"The south is certainly paying ter
rlble price for rebellion" she said so
berly, her fine eyes filed with tears. Il |
am sure ] have tarried here quite as
long as should, now that I can be of |
no further service"
As she gathered her skirts in her
hand preparatory to descending the
stairs, J yielded to temptation and
stopped her, Right or wrong I must
yet have cne word more.
az beg Of you do not desert me so
soon. This may prove our final meet
ing-inceed, I fear 1t must be; sure
ly, then, it need not be so brief
one?"
"Our final meetipg?"
She echoed my words as though
scarcely ccnTrehcnding their mean
ing.
Yes" ! said, rising and standing be-
fore her. "HOw can we hope it shall
be otherwise? I am not free to re-
main here, even were it best for other
reasons, for / an a soldier under or
ders. You undoubtedly will proceed
north at the earliest possible moment
There is scarcely q probability that in
the great wide world we shall meet
again"
"The war will soon be over: perhaps
then you may come north also"
q scarcely expect to do So My
work then viii be to join with my com
rades in an effort to rebuild the shat
tered fortunes Of Virginia. When the
lines of lives diTerge SO widely as
ours must, the chances are indeed few
that they ever meet again"
But surely you can remain here un-
til we leave?" she questioned, evident
ly striving not to reveal the depth
of interest she felt in the decision. "It
will not be until tomorrow that all de-
tails are arranged so as to permit Of
don1TfrTro hod cr7nnncaI
would certainly be with us until then"
Mrs. Brennan!" I exclaimed al
most passionately, "do not tempt me!
Your wish is a temptation most diff
cult to resist"
why resist, then?"
She did not look at me, but stood
twisting a handkerchief nervously
through her fingers. The abrupt ques-
tion startled me almost into full con-
fession, but fortunately my eyes
CHANGED to fall upon her wedding-ring,
and instantly I crushed the mad words
back into my throat
Because It is right" I replied slow
ly, feeling each sentence as a death
blow. For me to remain can mean
only one thing. For that I am ready
enough, if thought you desired it, but
dare not choose such a course my
self"
You speak in riddles. What is the
one thing?"
"A personal meeting with Major
Brennan"
The high color deserted her cheeks,
and her eyes met mine in sudden in
luiry. "Oh, no, mol" she exclaimed
with energy. You and Frank must
never meet in that way. You mean
l duel?" !
I bowed graveIy. 81 was permitted
o aid in defense of this house only :.
" pledging myself to Major Brennan
4
But why need it beat least now :
hat you have stood together as com. q
ades?" 4
Il fear" said quietly, that fact 3
will not count for much. We both y
ought inspired by your presence" 2
"Mine!" I hardly knew how to in &
erpret her tone. y
Certainly; you cannot be ignorant 9
hat Major Brennan's dislike is based s
pon your friendship for me-" =
But there is no reason" she STAN. )
lered. HE has no cause" =
His reason I must leave him to ex- 9.
lain" interrupted, to relieve her evf- 4
ent embarrassment His words, how. y
yer, were extremely explicit; and to g
ynore them by departure is to i'm. <
eril my own reputation in both arm 2
IS. would do SO for no one else in y
le world but you" 3
How can I ever thank your" she
sked graVely. Captain Wayne, you Z
lake me trust you utterly, and place =
le constantly in your debt" 4
Then you realize that am right?" s
yes" slowly, but making no ef-
'rt to release her hands. yet is no =
her escape possible?" .
None within my knowledge" =
"And you must go?"
Il must go-unless you bid me q