Year: 1861

Faith, exultingly. Hark there 1t Is
again! They're ceming, they are coming
fer certain, this time and she clapped her
hands in triumph.


The shrieking engine swept on ike some
fiery dragon out of fairy tale, its cloud
ike breath floating far behind Gradually
its speed slackened; slowly by degrees the
train drew near the station. There was a
sudden jolt, louder shrek and the sound
of bell.


They're going to stop, they're going to
stop! cried Faith with wild excitement.


There was sudden rush-the crowd
surged up around tie passengers waiting on
the platform.


Train stops five minutes shouted stem
torian voice from the tender.


Oh, Natalie they are getting out with
a terrible squeeze of my hand See, there's
John Green, and VIII Gray, and Nelson
Sprague. Come come with me; must
speak to him, he'll want to send last
word to Rose, she is sick you know. Hur-
ry dear? And she pulled me along through
the crowd,


Suddenly she paused irresolutely.


Oh. Natalie. there is Cloudy Carroll =
Shall we go back?


But had seen him first, and though I
grew deadly faint, I could not stop,


Ne, Faith, You run on; I'll take care of
myself


She gave me a searching glance. Ny
face was calm, though very white.


Well, thsn, I'll lie back in minute .
you knew tkcy havn't but five to stay.
And she was eff like shot.


Then I erept through the crowd, crouch
ing almost out Of sight, till I stood behind
him. must hear his voice once more, if
I die for it.


He wore captains uniform, and was
listening to some poor fellow whose voice
was tremulous with emotion.


This is terrible, captain-this having it
all over again. It just upsets the poor
fellows completely. think it would drive
ae crazy to go through another parting
this afternoon. Thank God . it's all over
for me, and for you too, guess, isn't it


Over? he said and his voice was sad
der than ] had ever imagined it could be-
that voice once so full of cheer and joyful
ness. Yes. Wilson, it's more than over
with me, for it has had no beginning l
have had no ones heart to break in COM
ing away for there is ne one in the world
just now who would care to give 'God
speed and Good bye to Cioudless Car
roll =!


Your parents, captain, didn't they


They are dead, Wilson.


And you are not married


Ne; nor never shall be! You see I ain
one of those poor, unfortunate odd-felIows
Of creation whom nobody owns.' And he
laughed almost bitterly.


His companion turned away from hin
with sigh.


Thon something i know not what--inl-
PEELED me to steal closer and lay my hand
softly on his arm.


Cloudy!


He turned, with great start


Natalie Miss Elmer You here?


Yes I want to say Goodbye and
God speed to you, Cloudy


He seized my ousstretched hand, and
bis lips quivored.


Nothing else?


Yes, I want to ask your forgiveness for
the great wrong did you in never giving
you chance to clear yourself from the
SANDERS Of those who hated you.


His face grew radiant.


Then you know the truth at last -? His
eyer were seeking mine, now, in way that
made my lids droop and my cheek flush
rosily.


And knowing it can you say nothing
else?


Yes, l said very softly, but his eager
ear caught each syllable; yes that if you
can forgive ne and love me again, and
will take back what you said, a little while
ago, about never marrying-I-I-


God bless you, Natalie, my darling


And there, in bread daylight, in face Of
at least three hundred inquisitive neigh
bors, and mere than three times that num-
Der of strange soldiers. he drew me to him
and kissed me twice upon the lips. How
ever, there were partings as fervent going
on all around US; only | saw Faiths eyes
dilated with amazement, marking as from
the other end of the platform.


I shall write to ysu from Washington,


Shall you? Oh thank you, I shall have
so much to say in reply.


And to your father by the same mail.


Yes.


If only had something of yours for a
token Have you pair of scissors about
you? Here is a stray curl you would not