The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-07-29
SONG IN THE NIGHT
BY JAS. WILLIAM JACKSON.

the squad was wearied to the limit Of
endurance. and the leader was bur
dened with a terrible responsibility.
The enemy Yves close at hand and alb
sointe silence imperative The colonel
few hours before, had detailed this
little force to out out q detachment Of
the enemy.
For hours they had plowed through
the mud, eager for the, encounter. Be-
fore darkness fell the discovery was
made that the enemy numbered four
times as many men as supposed. 1t
would be madness to hope for more
than drawn battle, the lieutenant re-
fiscted; and yet-khe colonel had Civ
en- his orders. At daylight the com
mander would march on the assump-
ton that the work was done.
Il can't go back and say / was
afraid" the boy told himself; but 1t
would be murder to charge with this
little band. If had 10 think only of
myself"
There was another hour before he
need act.
And wonder" he thought, IN a
listless way, Il wonder where she Ia
tonightf"
A few hundred yards behind the gul-
~ doomed up an old mansion As the
men now lay in silence. save for the
dreary, pattering preudle Of the rain
and the slushing OF mud as one
changed his position slightly, light
shone out across the wet field from q
window Of the house. A moment later
the distant. sweet tones of a piano
were audible. The lieutenant heard the
opening chords with q sense Of their
familiarity.
Some one began a song. The words
were not distant; not even the music
was sharply defined at that distance.
But as the song proceeded, coming out
into the night with mystic sweet
ness and power, the lieutenant remem-
bered its mesmeric harmony
Granton called 10 mind certain day
before his uniform grew ragged. The
settings of the song then had been a
fine old room. glorious woman, a
fascinating voice. 1t was not a song
that lulls; 1t thrilled and lifted-high
and higher it exalted, until the impos-
sible seemed easy to grasp.
AS the song proceeded the Neuten-
ant felt the full strength of its quick
ening impulse; and gradually he put
away from himself the weak and un-
nerving dependency. Almost before
the last note died away on the night
he had the squad afoot, confident that
his own spiritual intoxication was
shared In some measure by his follow.
ers.
Just beyond the woods faint indi-
cation Of sentry was discerned In q
half defined shadow.
The little band, deploying, came out
Of the deeper shadows in a long line,
ranged against the whole face OF the
| opposing force.
At that instant just one thrilling
"Charge!" was ordered. It came from
the lieutenant. and it was keyed In
the sharp, enthralling harmony Of the
song.
It was over soon. The charge itself
became a wild pursuit The lieutenant
still led the way untiI-the sword
slipped from his fingers and he sank
headlong into the soft mud and lay
still. while his men hurried on.
1t was hours after. and another day,
when the Ieutenant's eyes opened
with intelligence. For few rn.Rutes
his glance ranged about a sunny room
In questioning way From the couch
where he lay he could see but part Of
the room; and as he strove to turn
himself quiet figure came quickly
to his side. Then his eyes looked
straight up into those of q woman.
There came another wondering Ques-
ton into his glance and great, glad
astonishment to find her there. But
his lips formed different query.
"The fght?" he asked. weakly, and
with the brevity of spent strength.
''Your colonel is here" she said,
with a smile, as she drew a little near
or, land he bids me say that this day
surely makes you captain and
hero"
"And the men-my menf" he
begged
] Two wonderland yourself; moth
| Ing worse" she replied, softly
1T was the song we heard in the
rain and the night" he told her, in q
whisper
Last night, it thrilled me to con-
quer an army. II need be: and now it
makes me bold for myself. Last night
| cursed the fates that took me from
you before l could tell you how cared
for you would have lost that fight
heaven forgive mel would have
murdered my men in my weakness
and homesick longing. 1t was your.
song, that wonderful song. which gave
me strength; and 1t gives me courage
now to brave your verdict-to tell you
that love you better than anything in
all this world. Are you glad? Say
you are"
Il am glad" she murmured, with a
world of earnestness. 1.-THE song was
all for you was thinking of you
through 1t ALL"
She looked at him with great-eyed
| pride for an instant. Then she laid her
cheek on his pillow. One cool, soft
hand stole to his face and the white
fingers rested on his lips.
Il was trying to bring you back. :"
she whispered, ito tell me-that-you
cared"
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