Bad Hugh

"I'se got mizzable mem'ry, and I don't justly 'member," was Sam's

answer; "but I reckons he feel berry queer and choky--berry."

"That's exactly my case, so you may venture to tell," Hugh said; and

getting his face close to that of the young man, Sam whispered: "She

say, 'Tell Massah Hugh--I--I--' You's sure you's dyin'?"

"I'm sure I feel as you said I must," Hugh, continued, and Sam went on:

"'Tell him I loves him; and ef he lives I'll be his wife.' Dem's her

very words, nigh as I can 'member--but what is massah goin' to do?" he

continued in some surprise, as Hugh attempted to rise.

"Do? I'm going to Alice," was Hugh's reply, as with a moan he sank back

again, too weak to rise alone.

"Then you be'nt dyin', after all," was Sam's rueful comment, as he

suggested: "Ef massah only clamber onto Rocket."

This was easier proposed than done, but after several trials Hugh

succeeded; and, with Sam steadying him, while he half lay on Rocket's

neck, Hugh proceeded slowly and safely through the woods, meeting at

last with some Unionists, who gave him what aid they could, and did not

leave him until they saw him safely deposited in an ambulance, which, in

spite of his entreaties, took him direct to Georgetown. It was a bitter

disappointment to Hugh, so bitter, indeed, that he scarcely felt the

pain when his broken arm was set; and when, at last, he was left alone

in his narrow hospital bed, he turned his face to the wall and cried,

just as many a poor, homesick soldier had done before him, and will do

again.

Twenty-four hours had passed, and in Hugh's room it was growing dark

again. All the day he had watched anxiously the door through which

visitors would enter, asking repeatedly if no one had called for him;

but just as the sun was going down he fell away to sleep, dreaming at

last that Golden Hair was there--that her soft, white hands were on his

brow, her sweet lips pressed to his, while her dear voice murmured

softly: "Darling Hugh!"

There was a cry of pain from a distant corner, and Hugh awoke to

consciousness--awoke to know it was no dream--the soft hands on his

brow, the kiss upon his lips--for Golden Hair was there; and by the

tears she dropped upon his face, and the mute caresses she gave him, he

knew that Sam had told him truly. For several minutes there was silence

between them, while the eyes looked into each other with a deeper

meaning than words could have expressed; then, smoothing back his damp

brown hair, and letting her fingers still rest upon his forehead, Alice

whispered to him: "Why did you distrust me, Hugh? But for that we need

not have been separated so long."