The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-08-02

ss.sss = E.,id.srs HAN LsAsA
A glance from the window told me
the Federal cavalrymen were bearing
oSt the dead and depositing them be.
yopd view OF the house In the desert.
cd negro cabins. Ebers and one or
two OF my cTn men were standing
near. carefully scanning the uncovered
fsees as they were borne past, while
scraps Of conversation overheard
drought the information that the long
dining soom where had passed the
night on guard had been converted IN
70 q temporary hospital.
Irresolute as 70 iny next action, I
pAsssd out into the upper hall. 1t was
deserted and strangely silent. seem
fngly far removed from all those ter.
rible scenes % lately enacted In the
rooms beneath. M head by this time
throebed with pain, 4 desired to be
alone. 70 think. TO map out my future
rourss before .,foceeding down the
stAirs to meet the others. With this
In view 1 sank down In complete
vsariness upon . convenient set,
lee. Ny heavy head sank back
upon the arm of the settee, and
deep sleep closed my eyes. II
was IN my dreams ! felt II frst-a
light moist touch upon my burning
forehead--and I imagined ! was q
child Qucu mara hacE n sho -.a 49,
carsssed By the soft hand of my moth
or. But ~ consciousness slowly re-
turned began TO realize dimly whsre
WAS, and that was no longer alone.
a gentle hand was stroking back the
hair from on my temples. while the
barest uplift OF my eyelids revealed
The folds OF dark blue skirt pressing
close to my side. Instantly 1 realized
who must be the wearer, and remained
motioniess until could better con.
troll my nrst unwise impulse.
She spoke no word, ahd I cautiously
opened my eyes and glanced up into
her face. For q time she remained
unaware OF 10y awakening. and sat
thsre silently sroking my forehead.
her gaze hxed musingly upon the
window at the farther end OF the hall.
Doubtess she bad been sitting thus
Tor some time, ana naa become ao-
sorbed In her own reflections. for I
Jay there drinking In her beauty for
several moments before she chanced
10 glance downward and observe that
i was awake. think the vory In
tensity Of my gaze awakened her from
reverie. for she turned almost with
q start and looked down upon me. As
our eyes met. o warm wave Of color
dyed her throat and cheeks crimson.
Why" she exclaimed In momentary
II supposed I should know
before you avoke. AMI have ample
time TO escape unCoserved. dis
covered you lyiug here. You were
resting very uncomfortably when I
nrst came. and I felt Il my duty to
render your position az easy as DOS
siele. l did not forget that your IA.
ugus came In our defense"
Gould you not say In yours?" I
corrected. But l have already been
more than repaid. Your hand upon
my brow was far more restful than
can tell you-its soft stroking min.
gied In my dreams even before I awoke
IL brought back to me the thought OF
my mother. do not think have had
Q womkn's hand press back nv hair
since l was q child"
'Thers was look of pain upon your
face as you lay sleeping. and thought
IL might ease you somewhat. have
hac some experience az a nurse. you
know" she explained quietly. you
mentioned your mother; Is she YET
livingy'
"she is In Richmond. stopping with
friends. but since my capture We have
Lost all trace OF each other. I was
reported az having been killed In &C
tion. and I doubt II she even yet
knows the truth. Everything is
90 confused In the capital that
u 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 has been constantly In
the track OF the armies. One rather
important battle. indeed, was fought
upon 10. 30 you may realize that II is
nov desolate and utterly unfit for hab-
itstion."
Tho house. yet stands7"
''The chimney and one wall alone re-
NAMED when I was last there" I O.
piled. glad OF the interest she exhib-
tied. Fortunately two OF the negro
cabins were yet standing Doubtless
these will form the nucleus OF our
homo when the war ceases; they
will prove q tribe better than the
mere sky"
THE south is certainly paying ter
rible price for rebellion" she said so
berly. her fine eyes filled with tears. II
am sure have tarried here quite as