Annie smiled at the little lady’s restlessness, and after kissing her good-night, stood by the window watching her, as she drove down the street, and thinking to herself,
“When I see her again it will be to-morrow.”
Rapidly Rose Mather’s iron greys bore her to the depot, where but a few idlers were lounging, as it was past the hour for the cars. The window between the ladies’ sitting-room, and the office was closed, and Rose knocked against it in vain. The ticket agent had gone to his tea, and with a feeling of dissatisfaction Rose was turning away, when a sharp, clicking sound from an adjoining apartment reached her ear, and stepping to the open door, she stood looking in, while the telegraphic operator received a communication. What was it that made him start so, and utter an exclamation of surprise? Was it bad news the wires had brought to him? Had there been another battle? Was Washington in danger? Rose wished she knew, and she was about to inquire, when the operator turned upon her, and asked if she knew Mrs. Graham, wife of the Lieutenant?
“Yes, yes; has anything happened to him?” she answered, grasping the now written message, which the agent handed her, saying:
“Break it to her as gently as possible. He was the finest fellow in all the company,” and the kind-hearted man, not yet accustomed to the horrors entailed by the war, wiped a tear away, as he muttered to himself, “Poor George!”
There was no need for Rose to open the envelope, for she knew well enough what it contained, but her fingers mechanically tore it apart, and with streaming eyes she read the fatal message which would break poor Annie’s heart.
“Oh, I cannot tell her,” she cried, sinking down upon the hard settee, and sobbing bitterly. “How can I take this to her, when I left her so happy half an hour ago?”
But it must be done, and summoning all her courage she bade Jake drive back to the Hollow, shivering as she saw the cheerful light shining from the window, and shrinking more and more from the task imposed upon her, when, as she drew nearer, she saw Annie’s bright, joyous face as she put together the garments for to-morrow, pausing occasionally to speak to Widow Simms, who sat before the blazing fire, dreaming visions of what might be could she but get a pass to Richmond!
“Don’t you hear wheels?” the widow asked as the carriage stopped before the gate.
Annie thought she did, and going to window she saw Rose as she came up she walk.