Ethel Lynn Beers

“ At this movement the little hand tightened in his clasp, a faint sigh breathed from his lips, and opening the great eyes wearily, General Frankie whispered, "Mamma," and smiled his old beloved smile. Dr. Dolsen rose and wiped away the tears that rolled down his cheeks, and his voice was choked as he said, "Thank God, our General is safe!" The golden ladder had mounted up and faded out, for no angel footstep would tread its shimmering bars heavenward to-night. ”

“ The moon is shining down in my face, and it burns me. I am so thirsty, and my cap hurts my head. Oh, dear mamma, take it off, for I am tired and sore! I don't want to be a soldier any more." Then moans, an unquiet rest, and again the wandering fancies came thronging thick and fast.
Poor Frankie! ”

“ Dolsen held the thin hand counting the faint pulses; but he turned his head away from the sight of the anxious eyes that looked in his.
The hours wore slowly on, and the baby-sleeper did not move. The sun sank lower and lower in the west, and its beams, shining through the shutter, made a golden ladder on the wall beyond. Still the footsteps sounded from below; still the summer wind just stirred the leaves without, while within the watchers scarcely breathed. No movement; and the golden ladder crept up higher, and seemed to hang as if waiting for an angel baby footstep on its shining bars. ”