You know the
general passed one out this morning."
"So I have heard."
"I reckon she didn't get very far. It was just at the time that we were
driven in by their first fire, and I think she got her share of it, too.
Do you mind walking this way, sir!"
The lieutenant did not mind, although he rather languidly followed.
When they had reached the top of the gully, the corporal pointed to
what seemed to be a bit of striped calico hanging on a thorn bush in the
ravine.
"That's her," said the corporal. "I know the dress; I was on guard when
she was passed. The searchers, who were picking up our men, haven't got
to her yet; but she ain't moved or stirred these two hours. Would you
like to go down and see her?"
The lieutenant hesitated. He was young, and slightly fastidious as
to unnecessary unpleasantness. He believed he would wait until the
searchers brought her up, when the corporal might call him.
The mist came up gloriously from the swamp like a golden halo. And
as Clarence Brant, already forgotten, rode moodily through it towards
Washington, hugging to his heart the solitary comfort of his great
sacrifice, his wife, Alice Brant, for whom he had made it, was lying
in the ravine, dead and uncared for.
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