The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-18

sign OF recognition, but before hs
could pass | accosted him.
Colonel Maitland" said, "yo,
doubtless remember me. | am seek
ing my old command; would you kind
ly inform me where it may be found p
He stopped instantly at sound of my
voice, and stared at me in odd be
wilderment; but my words had al
ready reached the ears of the others
and before he had found an answer
another voice spoke sternly What is
all this? Who are you, sir? What
masquerade puts you into that parody
of captains uniform?"
| turned and looked into the flush
ed, indignant face of General Lee.
1T is no masquerade, sir" | an
swered, instantly removing my hat:
1T is the rightful uniform of my rank
greatly as | regret its present condi-
| ton"
Where are you from?"
Il was discharged from St. Mary's
Hospital in Richmond day before yes
terday, and am now seeking to rejoin
my regiment"
Surely" he said gravely, II have
seen your face before To what regi-
ment were you attached?"
'The --th Virginia Cavalry"
The buzzing of voices about me in
stantiy ceased. and General Lee took
a step nearer.
THE --th Virginia? You we're a
captain? Surely this is not Philip
Wagner"
So deeply surprised was his tone, so
uncertain his recognition, I scarcely
knew what to answer Had | lost my
very identity? was this all dream?
Il am Captain Wayne. Troop 9TH
Virginia"
He grasped my hand warmly be
tween both his own, and his kindly
face lit up instantly with rare smile
Captain Wayne. / cannot tell you
how greatly | rejoice at your safe re-
turn. We certainly owe you an apol-
ogy for this poor reception, but you
were reported as killed In action
many months ago. / doubt not Colo
mel Maitland truly believed he looked
upon ghost when you first accosted
him.
For the moment | was unable to
speak, SO deeply did his words AFFECT
me.
Il fear, Captain Wayne he con-
tinued gravely, yet retaining my hand
within his own, that must bring
you sad news"
Sad news?" Instantly there came
to me the thought of my widowed
mother. Not from home. | trust,
sir?"
NO." with great tenderness, your
mother, | believe, remains we'll; yet
the words / must speak are neverthe-
less sad ones, and must prove a severe
shock TO you. There is no -th vfr-
ginia"
No -th Virginia?" echoed, scarce
able to comprehend his meaning, mo
til Virginia? | beg you to explain,
sir; surely"-and looked about me
upon the various uniforms of the sery-
ice present-"the war has not yet |
ceased--we have not surrendered"
No, my boy" and the old hero |
reverently barred his gray head in the |
sunlight, but the -th Virginia gave
itself to the South that day in the |
] must have grown very white, for
a young aide sprang hastily forward |
and passed his arm about me. Yet | |
scarcely realized the action. for my
whole thought was with the dead.
DO you mean they are all gomez" / |
tremblingly. hardly able |
to grasp the full dread import of such
CHASTITY tidings. Surely, General Lee.
some among them E1ust have come
back"
so few" he responded soberly, his
nat still retained in his hand. so few
hat we could only scatter them in
other commands. But you have not
yet fully recovered your strength
You must not remain longer standing
lere. Major Holmes. will you kindly
conduct Captain Wayne to my head
quarters, and see that he is furnished
With a uniform suitable to his rank
Tor the present he will serve as extra
Tide Gpon my personal staff"
! turned away, the Major leading me
is If / had been child / walked as
man stunned by some sudden. unxe-
'ected blow. When finally joined
he mess upon the following day, clad