The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-05-11
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 We're 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.
lrTesolute 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
throbted with pain; ] desired 10 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 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 il first-a
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
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 dark blue skirt pressing
close to my side. Instantly realized
who must be the wearer. and remained
motionless until / could better con-
troll my f1rstsunwise 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 1
lay there drinking in her beauty for
several moments before she CHANGED
TO glance downward and observe that
H.
tensity of my gaze awakened her from
reverie, for she turned almost with
a 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 should know
before you awoke, and have ample
time to escape unQbseryed. dis
covered you lying here. You were
resting very uncomfortably when l
first came. and felt 1t my duty 10
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
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 NY dreams even before aWoKe.
Il brought back to me the thought OF
nv mother. do not think have had
woman's hand press back my mar
since I was a child
There was look OF pain upon your
face as you lay sleeping. and thougnt
1t might ease you somewhat. nave
had some experience as a nurse, you
know" she explained quietly. You
mentioned your mother; is she yet
living?"
She is in Richmond, stopping with
friends, but since my capture we nave
lost all trace of each other. / was
reported as having been killed IN ac-
ton, and. ! doubt If she even yet
knows the truth. Everything is
50 confused in the capital that
it 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 las been constantly IN
the track of the armies. One rather
important battle. indeed, was fought
upon 1t, so you may realize that 1t Is
now desolate and utterly unfit for hab-
itation."
THE house yet stands?"
THE chimney and one wall alone re-
NAMED when l was last there" / re-
piled, glad OF the interest she exhib-
tied. Fortunately two of the negro
cabins were yet standing. Doubtless
&ho.o Mill form the nucleus OF our