Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-07-21

0Gmy out8cOuo WuVm hU AASW ohu "
faces that had been familiar to hi
youth-dearest and kindest amonl
them Mary Marshall's, with solici
tude upon It more like reality than any
thing he could discern-Lieutenan
Richard DoubIedick came back to III
to the beautiful life Of calm autumn
evening sunset to the peaceful life o
q fresh. quiet room with a large win
dow standing open. balcony beyont
in which were moving leaves am
sweet smelling flowers; beyond, again
the clear sky. with the sun full In BIZ
sight, pouring Its golden radiance OF
his bed.
1t was 80 tranquil and so lovely tha
he thought he had passed into another
world. And he said In q faint voice
Taunton, are you near me?s
A face bent over him-not his, bis
mothers.
II came to nurse you. We have
nursed you many weeks. You were
moved here long ago. Do you remem
Der nothing7"
Nothing"
The lady kissed bis cheek and held
his hand. soothing him.
"Where Is the regiment7 What has
happened? Let me call you mother.
What has happened. motherT
"A great victory, dear. The war Is
over, and the regiment was the bravest
In the field"
His eyes kindled. bis lips trembled.
he sobbed, and the tears ran down bis
face. He was very weak-too weak to
move his hand.
WAS 1t dark Just now?" he asked
presently.
mo"
"It was only dark to me7 Some
thing passed away. like black shad.
ow. But as 1t went and the sun-oh.
the blessed sun. how beautiful 1t isl
touched my face thought saw a
hight white cloud pass out at the door.
Was there nothing that went outT'
She shook her head, and in a little
while he fell asleep. she still holding
bis hand and soothing him.
From that time he recovered-slowly.
for he had been desperately wounded
In the head and had been shot in the
body, but making some little advance
every day.
One day he awoke out Of sleep re-
freshed and asked her to read to him.
But the curtain Of the bed, softening
the light. which she always drew back
when he awoke that she might see him
from her table Mt the bedside where
she sat at work. was held undraw
and a woman's voice spoke, which was
not hers.
"Can you bear to see stranger" 1t
said softly. "Will you like to see a
strangerT
Stranger he repeated The voice
lwoke old memories before the days Of
Private Richard Doubledick.
"A stranger now, but not stranger
once" it said in tones that thrilled
him. Richard, dear Richard. lost
so many years. my name
He cried out her name, Mary and
she held him in her arms. and his head
lay on her bosom.
II am not breaking q rash VOW. Rich
ard These are not Mary Marshall's
lips that speak. have another name
She was married.
II have another name, Richard. Did
you ever hear it?
Never!
He looked into her face. so pensive-
u beautiful. and wondered at the smile
upon 1t through her tears.
think again. Richard. Are you sure
you never heard my altered name"
"Never!"
Don't move your head to look at
me, dear Richard. Let 1t lie here
while tell my story. l loved a gen.
erous, noble man. loved him with my
whole heart. loved him for years and
years, loved him faithfully. deyotedly.
loved him with no hope Of return. low
ed him. knowing nothing OF his high
est Qualites-not even knowing that
be was alive. He was brave soldier
He was honored and beloved by thou
sands Of thousands. when the mother
Of his dear friend found me and show
ed me that In all his triumphs he had
never forgotten Inc. He was wounded
In a great battle. He was brought.
dying, here into Brussels. came to
watch and tend him. rs would have
joyfully gone with such a purpose to
the dreariest ends Of the earth. When
he knew no one else he knew me-
When he suffered most he bore his
barely murmuring. content
to rest his head where yours rests now.
When he lay at the point Of death he
me that he might call me wife
before he died. And the name. my
dear love. that took on that forgotten
night
T know 1t noww he sobbed. THE
shadowy remembrance strengthens. 1t
Is come back. thank heaven that my
mind is quite restored! My Mary. kiss
me- Lull this weary head to rest. or
shall die Of gratitude. his parting
words were fulfilled. see home
again!"
Well! They were happy. 1t was a
long recovery. but they were happy
1t all. The snow had melted
on the ground and the birds were sing
Ing in the leafiess thickets Of the early
spring when those three were first able
to ride out together and when people
nocked about the open carriage to
cheer and congratulate Captain Rich
ard Doubledick.
But even then It became necessary
for the captain. instead Of returning to
England. to complete his recovery In
the climate of southern France. They
found a spot upon the Rhone. within
q ride Of the old town Of Avignon and
within view Of Its broken bridge. which
was all they could desire. They lived
there together six months. then return
ed to England. Mrs. Taunton. growing
old after three years-though not so
old as that her bright, dark eyes were
remembering that her
strength had been benefited by the
change, resolved to 80 back for a yeat
to those parts. So she went with
seryanf WIN had oftan carrial