Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-03-01

but IL am worthless cripple. You
will doubtless marry again. for you are
young and comely. and again ! shall
suffer the pain Of seeing you pass TO-
the possession % another"
Il will never iniIici that upon you
again"
And | will not permit you to sacri
fee lifetime OF comfort with husband
and children for me To lie near you
and not possess you would be n wretch.
ed existence for the. No As soon as
my wound permits ! shall go away,
perhaps TO America. where they tell
me that even such rs may earn
enough TO prevent his being a burden
OH any one
Louis. my life henceforth is yours.
shall take care Of you and II neces.
sary work for you. But that will not
be necessary My husband has left
the n competency. enough 10 live the
simple life To which We have been nc.
customed from our childhood | have
done my duty toward him SO long us
he lived. and now that he Is dead what
was his is mine. aud ! am sure he
would not grudge me the comfort OF
sharing II with you"
Nader made no reply. lie was
thinking OF the words spoken by the
soldier on the field of battle But
now. since ! am about 10 die. all that
has gone from me. am even willing
that my wife should be happy with
him" He recalled. too. the look on
the mans face when he saw the flask
containing that which would qucnch
the horrible thirst and give him little
strength 10 bear his sufferIngs. And
ne reioiced that he had conquered his
own craving and bestowed the boon on
his comrade.
Marya came often 10 see the MANNED
soldier. and while she rejoiced that
she might minister 10 him he found In
the ministraiions OF one lie loved and
who loved him solace for his mis-.
fortune His wound healed slowly.
and since they were separated In their
homes. her attendance upon him was
inconvenleni and difficult In order
that she might do more for him II was
deemed better that they should be
married and live under one rooftree
Some shook their heads that widow
Of but few months should marry.
but older persons approved OF the plan,
and the pair were made one.
And now 10 return 10 the soldier ~
Ing on the battlefield who had &C.
cepted his comrades last drink The
same rescue party who had siiccored
his wounded comradc. thinking him
dead. passed on. Another party. ac-
companicd by medical officer. came.
and the surgeon. placing his ear over
the soldiers heart. found that II
still heat lie ordered u restorative
and the man removed 10 hospital
There the soldier WAS revived. and
when he had come TO condition 10 be
questioned. an officer who was taking
the names of the wounded asked his
name.
The soldier hesiiated 4 faraway
look was In his eyes. hut the officer
had no time to heed II
Your name" he repeated impa-
tiently
august Helm"
The officer passed on. not knowing
that the patient had not given the
name that belonged 10 him
Helm. Ms he appeared on the hospital
list. lay for weeks lowering between
life and death. ~ last. pale and enact
ated. he was discharged not only from
the hospital but from the army. and
tottered toward his home. On the
road he fell IN with another discharg
ed soldier limping along with his foot
and head bound up. and the two jour
neyed together
II am going home" said the man to
Helm. ito my dear wife. ] have done
my duty by my country and have
earned reunion with her | love
Il. too. am going home. TO find-I ex
pect-my wife with n former lover !
have doubtless been reported among
the dead. since | gave false name NJ
the hospital"
"And VIVA, will you do II you lind
the case as YOU expect"
God knows replied Helm.
When their paths separated the sol
der said 10 Helm. "Goodby hope
that you will lind that your wife has
loved you and remained true 10 you
"Goodby." was the reply Il am pre-
pared for the worst"
"will you Kill him:"
81 don't know"
Helm tottered on. stopping at times
by the way TO gather little strength
or perhaps because he dreaded TO know
what he feared. He could not but envy
his comrade who had gone on 10 the
woman OF whose affections he had no
doubt And 80 one evening as dusk
was falling he approached the village
wherein was his home. He waited on
the outskirts until the inhabitants were
all within doors, then went on and.
coming 10 his own house. looked IN
through window.
A cheerful fire blazed on the hearth.