The Washington times., 1913-08-21

were hardened 10 such appeals as these
for they would have broken the hearts
of men whose sensibilities had not been
dulled by the iteration of frequent
usage. But all journeys have an end.
even the journeys of those who go down
to the river which all must inevitably
cross, and as night fell the town was
reached. The train. a long array OF
freight cars, some of which had been
used to carry cattle to supply the
army and which had only been cleaned
in the most hasty and perfunctory man
ner, was filled with the wounded. and
slowly Clanked out of the station.
The faithful corporal, by dint of his
pass, signed by DR.. Letterman, and his
orders, upon which Kirkwood had In
duced Meade himself TO write his name,
went in the car with Grafton. He was
assiduous in his care for the wounded
Confederate, but there was little he
could do save to battle his brow and
moisten his lips and keep the bandages
wetted for Grafton had not yet re-
gained consciousness. When the train
'lrew into York the next day the towns
people. who had been apprised Of its
coming. were down at the station with
every available vehicle.
A few, days before the battle a divi-
sion Of the Confederate army had
marched through that town. The men
had conducted themselves like gentle
men. They had burned no barns. had
not pillaged any houses had not in
suited any woman. General Gordon,
who led them, had indeed made ia
vorable impression upon many citizens
of the place. and the people were
grateful. Naturally they preferred to
care for their own wounded, but the
Confederate soldiers who were inter
mingled with their Northern foemen
were received with little less cordial
ity and treated with the same kind
ness as the men in blue.
The corporal was familiar with the
person of the lady whom he was seek
ing. and he easily found her among
the hundreds of others who had gath
cred at the station. Forcing his way
through the crowd he saluted her and
handed her two notes.
Major KirkwOod?" she asked, rec
ognizing that he belonged to her
brothers regiment
We'll, ma am
And Colonel Manning"
Just the same. These letters are
from them. I've got wounded sol
der here which they ask you to take
care Of" continued the corporal, as
Kathleen hastily opened one Of the
notes, glanced over ii and pressed ii
to her lips with a look Of relief upon
her face. The other she did not look
at then.
"One from either of the regiments"
she asked, alludIng to the fact that
both men for whom she had inquired
had command Of their regiments that
day.
They were very particular ordering
me to ask you to take him in"
Certainly, certainly; where is he?"
He's in that car yOnder, and I'm
trying to get an ambulance"
Il have spring wagon here with
mattress and blankets in ii. | knew
there would be need for such things
~. dc
will send them to you at once. Come
with me and they will go with YOU and
bring him out here. Is he badly
wOunded?"
Il guess he's about done for, ma am.
] heard the Major say that he'd about
one chance in a thousand for his life,
and he thought you could give 1t to
him by nursing"
What is his name cried Kathleen,
suddenly. The interest the two men
with whom she was most intimately as
soCiated mad taken in this Comic dcrate
soldier had awakened a sudden heart
breaking suspicion in her mind.
It's in Colonel Mann!ng's letter,
ma'am,"-it was ManninE's letter that
she had not opened. and with rare
consideration her brother had let his
friend tell the story and give directions.
His name is Grafton" continued the
corporal, hes a sergeant in Are
you i'll. ma am asked the soldier,
catching thr woman by the Nn. She
had gone suddenly white and re"l"d and
would have fallen but for him.
oh, no" she said, summoninG her
courage and struggling TO "ontro! her
self: he is not dead, you say
Not yet, ma'am. but-
'HuTry. hurry!'
The corporal venturcd upon question
as they pushed through the outskirts
u ~Beg PARDON. maam, but do yon know
him
Know him? l-I-' she checked