They had remembered the old struggle wherein their country had been born. They were glad and proud to bear their burden in this grander one wherein she was to be born anew, to higher life.
Roger Armstrong and his wife had been the spring and soul and center of all.
And now Faith said: "Roger! mayn't we take our wedding journey?"
Not for a bridal holiday—not for gay change and pleasure—but for a holy purpose, went they out from home.
Down among the wounded, and war-smitten. Bearing comfort of gifts, and helpful words, and prayers. Doing whatsoever they found to do, now; seeking and learning what they might best do, hereafter. Truly, God left them not without a work. A noble ministry lay ready for them, at this very threshold of their wedded life.
In the hospital at Georgetown, they found Nurse Sampson.
"I told you so," she said. "I knew it was coming. And the first gun brought me down here to be ready. I've been out to Western Virginia; and I came back here when we got the news of this. I shall follow round, wherever the clouds roll."
In Washington, still another meeting awaited them.
Paul Rushleigh, in a Captain's uniform, came, one day, to the table of their hotel.
The first gun had brought him, also, where he could be ready. He had sailed for home, with his father, upon the reception, abroad, of the tidings of the fall of Sumter.