The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-05-02

sblu, handlng the soldier the parcel
with little bow. III you will come
back in an hour or two, perhaps we
shall have more for you"
Thank you. ladies, and God bless
you. don't know what our poor fel-
lows In the hospitals would do II II
weren't for you"
Don't forget your milk in the din.
ing room," said Mrs. Varney.
I'm not likely to, ma'am," returned
the soldier, as, in spite Of his wound.
ed arm, he bowed gracefully to the
women.
In the hall Martha's voice could be
heard eXclaiming:
Come right dis way, you po' chile,
an see what Abs got TO you in de
dinin' room"
You must be tired to death" said
Mrs, Varney to Miss Kittridge, looking
at the white face of the other woman.
Her brother had been killed few
days before, but the clods had scarce
ly ratified down upon his coffin before
she was energetically at work again
for other women's brothers.
NO, no" she said bravely; "and our
tiredness is nothing compared to the
weariness of our men. We are going
to stay late tonight Mrs. Varney. if
you will let us. There's so many
more wounded come in it won't do to
stop now. We have found some old
linen that will make splendid band
ages, and"
My dear girl" said the matron,
stay as long as you possibly can I
will see if Martha cant serve you
something to eat after a while don't
believe there is any tea left in the
house"
Bread and butter will be a feast"
said Miss Kittr'dge.
And | don't believe there is much
butter either" smiled the older
woman.
We'll, it doesn't matter" said the
other. Isis your son-is there any
changer"
Not for the better" was the reply.
81 am afraid his fever is increasing
And has the surgeon seen him this
EVENING""
Not tonight"
"Why not?" exclaimed Miss Kilt
ridge in great surprise Surely his
condition is sufficiently critical to de-
mand more than one brief visit in the
morning"
q cant ask him to come twice with
so many waiting for him." said Mrs.
Varney.
But they would not refuse you.
Mrs. Varney" said Miss Kittridge
quickly. There's that man going back
to the hospital, he's in the dining
room yet I'll call him and send word
that"
She started impuIsively toward the
door, but Mrs. Varney caught her by
the arm.
NO" she said firmly; "T can't let
you"
Not for your own son|
q am thinking of the sons of other
mothers. The surgeon has done all
that he can for him. And think how
many other sons would have to be neg
lected if he visited mine twice. He
will come again tomorrow"
The second woman stood looking at
her in mingled sympathy and amaze
meut, and there was a touch of pride
in her glance, too She was proud OF
her sex, and she had right to be
there in Richmond that spring, II
ever.
81 understand" said Miss Kittridge
at last. Il suppose you are right"
They stared at each other, white
faced, a moment, when there entered
to them youth and beauty incarnate
There was enough resemblance be-
tween the pale, white-haired mother
and the girlish figure in the doorway
to proclaim their relationship. The
girls cheek had lost some of its bloom
and some of its roundness. There was
too much that was appalling and fear
full in and about Richmond then not
to leave its mark even upon the most
and the most buoyant, yet
things did not come home to the young
as they did to those older. She was
still a lovely picture, especially in the
soft radiance Of the candles. She car
ried her hat in her hand. The flowers |
upon it were assuredly those of yes
ter-year, it would not have passed |
muster as the mode anywhere except |
IN besieged Richmond; and her dress,
although 1t fitted her perfectly. was |
worn and faded and had been turned |
and patched and altered until it was
quite beyond further change, yet she !
wore it as airily as il it had been It's
,ue> of silver or cloth OF gold.
The mothers face frightened.
Edith, DEAR" she exclaimed, how
ate you are! 1t is after eight O'Clock.
1ou must be tired out"
Il am not tired at all" answered the
,irl cheerily. Il have not been at the
lospital all afternoon; this is my day
If How is Howard?"
Il wish | could say just the same
,ut he seems little worse"
The girls face went suddenly grave
'he stepped over to her mother, took
Ter hand and patted it softly.
is there nothing you can do?"
MY dear" said her mother, How
all in Gods hands"
She drew long breath and lifted
er head braVely.
Miss Kittridge," said the girl, Il
ave something very important to tell
mother, and"
Miss Kittridge smiled back at her.
Il am going right away, honey.
here is lots of work for US to do
nd"
'You don't mind, hope" said Edith
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