Year: 1868

i


The residence Of the hospitable
Duke Of Richmond was brilliantly
Illuminated on the evening Of June


18th, 1915. Groups Of officers in
various uniforms were seen assem-
bled in the ballroom many Of whom
were probably entering into these
gay scenes for the last time.
Amongst the ladies' that ornamented
the room, many Of our country.wo-
men might readily be distinguished
by the easy dignity Of their manners,
from the vivacious foreigners with


whom they wese mingled. One Of
the most attractive Of these was


Edith Myers. An artist would not,
perhaps, have called her beautiful,


but there was a dignity and charac-
ter in her face which amply atoned
for anything in which she might
have fallen short Of the Grecian
model. Not really above the aver
age height, the slightness, of her
figure made her appear taller than
| most of the women around her, as
she stood still holding the arm of
her father, Col. Myers, with whom
she had just entered. Many an ad-
miring glance was turned upon the
fair young girl, as her cheek flushed
beyond it's wont she looked hur.
riedly round the room, hardly SEEM
ing to notice the officer who was So I
liciting her hand for a dance. She
accepted him. however, mechanically,
when a bright smile passed over her
face. t ak "a


Captain Bruce, an officer in the
uniform of the Light Guards, was
crossing the room towards her. His
figure was tall and soldier like, his
countenance grave and thoughtful, at
times almost stern. Advancing, to
her side, he asked in low voice, if
she would spare few moments that
evening to stroll with him in the
+ adjoining terrace. She assentsd to-
his request in the same tone, deep
flush rising over her face. They
Immediately separated, as'ifa to avoid
remark, and Edith was soon waltz
ing in the brilliant circle.


The evening wore on and the
gaiety was at its height, when
hand was laid on Edith's arm, and
the same low voice whispered in her
ear II claim you now at least for
a timep' With a beating, heart,
she accepted the profered arm, and
making their way through the merry
groups that surrounded them, the
two passed out upon the terrace.
They stood silent for a few moments
The bright moonlight which poured
around them, lighted up shining
leaves Of the shrubs below, and the
scent of rare flowers with which the
terrace was decorated seemed to
treshen the evening air with its fra
france. Edith's hand trembled as
it lay upon her companions arm;
the flush had died from her cheek
and left it deadly pale.


"Miss Myers, I am hereto-night to
ask one question which deeply in
wolves my future happiness. You
cannot surely be blind to my long
cherished affection for you, and"


As he spoke the shrill blast of
bugle was heard suddenly breaking
the stiffness of the night. Capt.
Bruce started, and his whole frame,
seemed to culver.


Edith" he exclaimed hurriedly,
"you hear that sound; it is the sig
nal for action, and calls me eithert to the
death or victory. I have only few
moments to be with you. Tell me, 1
implore you, whether I am to well
come death as friend. or to fight
with redoubled courage for a life that
is dear to you? Good heavens, she
has tainted T.


The startling news had been too
much for Edith's delicate frame;
and had it not been for her lovers
arm, she would have
sunk to the ground. He dared stay
no longer but calling some waiting
women to her assistance, he i'm
printed one kiss upon her forehead,
and hastened from the house 10 as
semble his men.


The following evening about three
hours after sunset, different scene
itself. The conflict of the
day was over, and the silence of
death had succeeded to the storm of
the battle. Groups Of soldiers might
be seen dotted over the battlefield,
occupied in searching for the missing
amongst the dead and the