The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-06-13
A BRI F
ENGAGEMENT
A Civil War Story
By MARTIN D. BOYLE

Vi reueraI troops. with an aid, refined
up one morning before house In Geor-
gia. woman was standing In the
doorway. peering anxiously down the
road as if expecting some one.
Madam" said the general. .icould
you accommodate me in your house for
few hours 2"
"Yo' didn't see anything of a young
man comm, this way with a BRAN new
suit of clothes on. did your
81 did not. madam"
well. | declar'. | don't believe he's
comm at all s.
Perhaps you didn't hear my uues.
tion?' said the general, and he re-
peated it.
We'll, | reckon we can let vo' stav
here awhile. and Is that young fellow
don't turn up we can give yo' a right
smart snack"
The general and his aid dismounted
and entered the house. where they
found young girl dressed In bridal
costume
The general asked for a room where
ne could do some writing and was
SHOWN into an apartment.
ut looks as If You were going to
have a wedding here" he said to the
girl. with very pleasant smile on his
handsome face"
sit looks. rather. as If we are not to
have wedding" she replied.
"Why SOP You seem ready for the
ceremony"
1.-THE groom hasn't come. and don't
believe he's coming"
whats the matterY
IL don't know. and | don't care"
"You appear Indifferent
"Oh. it's mas match | haven't had
much to do with it | wouldn't mind
his staying away If it wasn't that
we've had all the trouble making the
preparations"
"A woman don't like to have the man
she is TO marry go back on her at the
last moment
Il don't care so much about that as
having all my clothes ready and
table loaded down with good things
mas been making for two or three
weeks
Il should think they'd get stale by
that time"
mot the wedding cake. That'll keep
long while"
perhaps it will come handy for
some other young man more worthy
of you and to whom you will be less
Indifferent than this one who isn't
coming
'Rut the other things-the cakes, the
hot biscuit. the pies and jellies-they
won't keep"
.'Pity. isn't it7 I'd like to give him a
thrashing"
Young Burge had been campaigning
for two years and during that time had
met very few young girls He was at
an age when the most natural thing
In the world is to mate. He kept edg-
ing closer and closer to the girl sitting
i'm a white muslin dress and long
white veil streaming down over her
shoulders He was ready to sympa
thiZe with her. and she seemed dis
posed to be sympathized with.
"What time was he to be hereT he
asked
''Ten O'Clock"
Its now about H."
Reckon it is about that"
when were you to be marriedT
"At r."
Burge fidgeted about in his chair.
arose every now and then and looked
out of the window in the direction the
groom would come. If he came at all.
II reckon he won't come" said the
girl
Il hope he won't"
That's real mean of you" she re-
marked. looking out Of the corner OF
her eye at him.
You're too pretty and nice girl to
marry man who hasn't the spunk TO
show up when he's pledged himself
to marry If he doesn't come by IL,
the time fixed for the wedding. I've
half mind to-
He caught his breath at what he had
said But If be was fearful of being
considered bold he soon lost that fear
for the girl didn't reproach him.
II don't suppose now" he continued
''if any fellow should come along you
hadn't known before and offer to help
you out you'd be satisfied to-
The things wouldn't spoil"
But how would you feel about 1t
do you mean if no'thern man
should come alongY'
We'll. yes !"
And soldierY
"a soldier"
II don't think I'd mind"
There was silence for awhile. when
Burge broke 1t thus:
IF you can get the general TO give
me few days leave for honeynfooh
won't mind helping you out--tnat II
If you don't mind "
Il can try
When the general came out OF MS se