Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-01-04


| ship with the gallant Colonel of light
artillery and her description of his APP
pearance at the ball is assuredly a
masterpiece of romantic fiction. Come,
| Captain, surely you are not the kind
of man to forget pretty face like
that? l can assure you, you made
deep impression. There are times
when I am almost jealous of you
But" I protested, my heart beat
j ing rapidly, Il met several that eve
ming, and you have mentioned no
name"
well, to me it chances there is
but one worthy of MENTION" he said
earnestly, "and that one is Celia
Minor"
Miss Minor!" felt strange sense
of disappointment. Does she come
alone?"
Most certainly; do you suppose she
would expose me in my present weak
state to the destinations of any one
else?"
ooh, so the wind lies in that quar-
/
late you, I'm sure"
My recollection of Miss Minor was
certainly most pleasant one, and l
recalled to memory the attractive pic
ture of her glossy black hair and
flashing brown eyes, yet l felt ex-
ceedingly small interest in again meet
ing her. Indeed 1 was asleep when
she finally entered, and it was the
sound of Caton's voice that aroused
me and made me conscious of the
presence of others.
II shall share these grapes with my
cot-mate over yonder," he said laugh
ingly. by the way, Celia, his voice
sounded strangely familiar to me a
short time ago. Just glance over
there and see II he is any one you
know"
heard the soft rustic of skirts.
and, without smile, looked up into
her dark eyes. There was sudden
start of pleased surprise.
1 Why" she exclaimed eagerly, "it
is Colonel Curran! Edith, dear. here
is the Rebel who pretended to be
Myrtle Curran's brother"
How the hot blood leaped within my
veins at mention of that name; but
before l could lift my head she had
swept across the narrow aisle, and
was standing beside me. Wife, or
what, there was thai within her eyes
which told me wondrous story For
the instant, in her surprise and agita-
ton, she forgot herself, and lost that
marvellous self-restraint which had
held us so far apart.
Captain Wayne!" she cried, and
her gloved hands fell instantly upon
my own, where it rested without the
coverlet. you here, and wounded?"
| I smiled up at her, feeling now that
my injuries were indeed trivial.
| Somewhat weakened by loss of
blood, Mrs. Brennan, but not danger
ously hurt" Then I could not for
bear asking softly, "Is it possible you
can feel regret over injuries inflicted
upon a Rebel?"
4 Her cheeks famed, and the audaci-
GUS words served to recall her to our
surroundings.
even although love my country,
her enemies" she answered soberly,
II do not delight in suffering. Were
you in that terrible cavalry charge
They tell me scarcely a man among
them survived
Il rode with my regiment"
Il knew 1t was your regiment-the
name was upon every lip, and even
our own men unite in declaring it a
magnificent sacrifice, most gallant
deed. You must know thought in
stantly Of you when l was told it was
the act of the til Virginia"
There were tears in my eyes, l
know, as I listened to her, and my
heart warmed at this frank confes.
sion of her remembrance
Il am glad you cared sufficiently
for me-" said gravely, ito hold me
J in your thought at such time. Our
command merely performed the work
given it, but the necessity has cost
) us dearly. You are yet at General
Sheridan's headquarters"
"Only temporarily, and simply be.
cause there has been no opportunity
to get away, the movements of the
} army have been so hurried and I'M
certain. Since the battle Miss Minor
has desired to remain until assured
of Lieutenant Catons permanent re.
covery. He was most severely
wounded, and of course l could not
| well leave her here alone. Indeed
am her guest, as we depart tomor
row for her home, to remain indefi
nitely."
But Miss Minor is, understand, g
native of this State?"
"Her home is in the foothills Of the
Blue Ridge, along the valley of the
Cowskin,-a most delightful old South
ern mansion. I passed the summer