The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-05-11

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 10 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 | had passed the
night on guard had been converted in
TO a 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, | 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 | sank down In complete
| weariness upon convenient set
tee. My heavy head sank back
upon the arm OF the settee, anc
deep sleep closed my eyes. II
was in my dreams | felt 1t hrst-i
light, moist touch upon my burning
forehead-and | imagined / WAS
child once more, back at the old home
caressed by the soft hand OF my moth
err. But as consciousness slowly re
turned | began TO realize dimly wher'
| was. and that | was no longer alone
A gentle hand was stroking back tn
hair from OF my temples. while tn
barest upift OF my eyelids reyeale'
the folds OF dark blue skirt pressin
close to my side Instantly | realize
who must be the wearer, and rename
motionless until / could better cor
troll my first unwise impulse.
She spoke no word. and | cauuousl
opened my eyes and glanced up int
her face. For time she rename
unaware OF my awakening, and So
| there silently stroking my forehead
her gaze fixed musingly upon IN
, window at the farther end OF the hal
Doubtless she had been sitting thu
for some time, and had become al
sorbed in her own reflections, for
! lay there drinking in her beauty Il
/, several moments before she chance
10 glance downward and observe thu
: / was awake. ] think the very u
tensity OF my gaze awakened her fro
. reyerie, for she turned almost Wit
a start and looked down upon me. 4
our eyes met, warm wave OF COLI
. dyed her throat and cheeks crimso
why" she exclaimed in momental
confusion. Il supposed ! should kno
!, before you awoke, and have amp
:, time TO escape unobserved. d
!, covered you lying here. You we
! resting very uncomfortably when
= first came. and ] felt II my duty
!. render your position as easy as pc
!. sible. did not forget that your
tigue came in our defense
- Gould you not say in yours
:. corrected. But ! have already be
: more than repaid Your hand up
"a my brow was far more restful tn
can tell you--its soft stroking m
IN gled in my dreams even before awol
- II brought back TO me the thought
Il. my mother do not think have b
20 a woman's hand press back my hi
iv since I was a child"
=. There was look OF pain upon yc
be face as you lay sleeping. and thoul
Il might ease you somewhat. ha
ra had some experience as a nurse, y
ar know" she explained quietly. ~
VI. mentioned your mother; Ia she
. fivinO7"