Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-02-22

changes for the better as were DOS
sible, soaking the clotted blood from
out my hair, and washing the powder
stains from my face, l felt l 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, l
passed out into the upper hall. 1t was
deserted and strangely silent, seem
ingly far removed from all those ter
rlble 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. 1t
was in my dreams felt it first-a
light, moist touch upon my burning
forehead-and imagined l was a
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 the
hair from off my temples, while the
barest uplift of my eyelids revealed
the folds of dark blue skirt pressing
close to my side. Instantly realized
who must be the wearer, and remained
motionless until l could better con.
troll my first unwise impulse
She spoke no word, and | cautiously
opened my eyes and glanced up into
her face. For 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
lay there drinking in her beauty for
several moments before she CHANGED
to glance downward and observe that
l was awake. I think the very in
tensity of my gaze awakened her from
reyerie, for she turned almost with
a 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. II supposed 1 should know
before you awoke, and have ample
time to escape unobserved. l dis
covered you lying here. You were
resting very uncomfortably when I
first came, and l felt 1t my duty to
render your position as easy as pos
sible. did not forget that your ia
tigue came in our defense"
Gould you not say in yours?" I
corrected. But 1 have already been
more than repaid. Your hand upon
my brow was far more restful than
l can tell you-its soft stroking min
sled in my dreams even before awoke.
1t brought back to me the thought of
my mother. l do not think have had
woman's hand press back my hair
since l was a child"