CHARLES GRAHAM HALPIN.
(Miles O’Reilly.)
CHAPTER XV
TWO FIANCÉES
We were all much interested in the case of a young lieutenant who had lost a leg and was slowly recovering. He had written to his fiancée that he was disabled, and would give her up if she so desired. He was now awaiting anxiously her reply.
Quite coincidently, at the other end of the ward was Major Hemlock, of the Forty-seventh New York Infantry, who had lost a leg and he, too, had written his fiancée offering to release her from her promise. As time went by without bringing a reply the lieutenant became very despondent. One day in passing I saw an unopened letter lying upon his breast and exclaimed: “Oh, lieutenant, your letter has come after all; but it is not opened! Shall I open it for you?”
“No,” he answered in a despairing voice. “I know what it says.”
Unable to persuade him to read his letter, and feeling quite sure that it must be favorable, I ran quickly to Mrs. Mayhew, of his State agency, telling her of the letter. She went at once to him, and in her sweet sisterly way at last induced him to consent to open the letter. His intuitions proved only too true. “Perhaps,” the girl had written, “it would be best; we could still be friends.”
Our indignation knew no bounds. The poor fellow sank rapidly and died a few days later of a broken heart. He was carried by his comrades, led by the funeral march of the shrill fife and the drum, to his soldier’s grave in the woods, over which they fired the farewell salute.
During this time I was greatly surprised one day on visiting this ward to find Major Hemlock dressed and sitting up, looking happy and like another man. After a second glance I saw the cause of this change, for beside him sat a charming young girl who, in reply to his letter offering her a release, had started at once and succeeded in reaching him safely. The Major was soon able to travel and the happy pair returned to their home in Philadelphia where they were married.