The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-16
CONTINUED

the Federal cavalrymen were bearing
out the dead and depositing them be.
yond view of the house in the desert
cd negro cabins. Ebers and ono 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 a 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
rible scenes SO lately enacted in the
rooms beneath. My head by this time
throbbed with pain; i 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
WEAKNESS upon a convenient SCI
tee. My heavy head sank back
upon the arm OF the settee, and
deep sleep closed my eyes. 1t
was in my dreams l felt 1t frst-a
light, moist touch upon my burning
forehead-and / imagined l was O
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
was, and that was no longer alone.
a gentle hand was stroking back the
hair from of my temples. while the
barest uplift of my eyelids revealed
the folds Of a 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 sHoking 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
was awake. l think the very in
tensity Of my gaze awakened her from
reverie, for she turned almost with
start and looked down upon me. AS
our eyes met, a warm wave of color
dyed her throat and cheeks crimson.
Why" she exclaimed in momentary
confusion. Il supposed l should know
before you awoke, and have ample
time to escape unobserved. ! dis
covered you lying here. You were
resting very uncomfortably when
first came, and l felt it my duty to
render your position as easy as pos
sible did not forget that your ia
tiguo came in our defense"
Gould you not say in yours?" l
corrected. But l have already been
more than repaid. Your hand upon
my brow was far more restfuI than
/ can tell you-its soft stroking min
gled in my dreams even before awoke.
1t brought back to me the thought of
my mother. 1 do not think have had
woman's hand press back my hair
since | was a child"
There was look of pain upon your
face as you lay sleeping, and thought
1t might ease you somewhat / have
had some experience as a nurse, you
know she explained quietly you
mentioned your mother; is she yet
Iiving?"
"She Is in Richmond, stopping with
friends, but since my capture we have
lost all trace Of each other I was
reported as having been killed in ac-
ton, and l doubt if she even yet
knows the truth. Everything is
so confused in the capital that
1t is impossible to trace any
one not directly connected with the
army, once you lose exact knowledge
of their whereabouts"
Your father, then, is dead?"
He yielded his life the first year
of the war; and our plantation near
Charlottesville has been constantly In
the track of the armies. One rather
important battle, indeed. was fought
upon IT, so you may realize that It is
now desolate and utterly unfit for hab-
itation."
THE house yot stands?"
Tho chimney and one wall alone re-
NAMED when ] was last there" ] re-
piled, glad OF the interest she exhib-
tied. Fortunately two OF the negro
cabins we're yet standing Doubtless
these will form the nucleus OF our
home when the war ceases; they
will prove a trho better than the
mere sky"
THE south is certainly paying a ter
rible price for rebellion" she said so
berry. her fine eyes filled with tears. 81
am sure / have tarried here quite as
long as / should now that I can DO OF
no further service"
As she gathered her skirts I'm her
hand preparatory 10 descending the
stairs I yielded TO temptation and
stopped her. Right or wrong ] must
yet have one word more
~ beg OF you do not desert me 20
soon This may prove our final meet
ing-indeed ! fear # must be; sure
~, then 1t need not be so brief
one?"
our final meeting?"
She echoed my words az though
scarcely compromising their mean.
ing
Yes said. rising and standing be.
Tore her How can we hope 30 shall
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