The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1914-08-13

Private Richard Doubledick.
. "A stranger now, but not stranger
once" it said in tones that thrilled
him. Richard, dear Richard, lost
through 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 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-
~ beautiful. and wondered at the smile
upon it 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 it lie here
while I tell my story. I loved gen.
erous, noble man, loved him with my
whole heart, loved him for years and
years, loved him faithfully, devotedly,
| loved him with no hope of return, low
ed him, knowing nothing of his high
est qual1ties-not even knowing that
he 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 me. He was wounded
in a great battle. He was brought,
dying, here into Brussels. l came to
watch and tend him, as l would have
! joyfully gone with such a purpose to
the dreariest ends of the earth. When
When he suffered most he bore his
sufferings barely murmuring, content
to rest his head where yours rests now.
When he lay at the point of death he
married me that he might call me wife
before he died. And the name, ny
dear love. that took on that forgotten
night
II know it now!' he sobbed. 1.-THE
shadowy remembrance strengthens. 1t
is come back. I thank heaven that my
mind is quite restored! My Mary, kiss
me. Lull this weary head to rest, or
I shall die of gratitude. His parting
words were fulfilled. I see home
again.
Well! They were happy. 1t was a
long recovery, but they were happy
through it all. The snow had melted
on the ground and the birds were sing
ing in the leafess thickets of the early
spring when those three were first able
to ride out together and when people
t1ocked about the open carriage to
cheer and congratulate Captain Rich
ard Doubledick.
But even then it became necessary
for the captain, instead of returning tt
England. to complete his recovery i1
the climate of southern France. They
found spot upon the Rhone. within
ride of the old town of Avignon anc
within view Of it's broken bridge, which
was all they could desire. They live6
there together six months, then return
ed to England. Mrs. Taunton. growing
old after three years-though not 81
old as that her bright. dark eyes were
dimmed-and remembering that be-
strength had been benefited by tn
! change, resolved to go back for a yea
to those parts. So she went with
faithful servant, who had often carrie<
her son in his arms, and she was to b.
rejoined and escorted home at tn
years end by Captain Richard Double
dick
She wrote regularly to her children
Gas she called them now, and they t,
her. She went to the neighborhood O
AK, and there, in their own chateau
near the farmers house she rented
she grew into intimacy with a famil.
belonging to that part of France. TIL
Intimacy began in her often meetin!
among the vineyards a pretty child. :
girl with a most compassionate heart
who was never tired of listening to tn
solitary English lady's stories of bel
poor son and the cruel wars. The fam
lily were as gentle as the child. and a
length she came to know them so wei
that she accepted their invitation t.
pass the last month of her residence
abroad under their roof. All this in
telligence she wrote home. piecemea
as it came about. from time to time
and at last inclosed polite note from
the head of the chateau soliciting. OF
the occasion of his approaching mis-
sion to that neighborhood, the honor o
the company Of Get homme 81 juste
ment celebre. NJ. lie Capitaine Richarl
Doubledick.
Captain Doubledick, now a hardy
! handsome man in the full vigor of life
broader across the chest and shoulder
, than he had ever been before. dispatch
ed courteous reply and followed it il
person. Travelling through all that eS
| tent of country after three years o
peace, he blessed the better days O.
which the world had fallen. The cor
was golden, not drenched in Immature
red; was bound in sheaves for fooc
. not trodden underfoot by men in mol
tai fight. The smoke rose up fror
, peaceful hearths. not blazing ruins. l.