She was too simple and honest to accept
such return for what seemed the natural offices of humanity; yet,
while her manner and words checked its expression, they only
deepened the feeling.
At first she could scarcely distinguish among the bronzed, begrimed
faces, but before the day passed there were those whose needs and
personal traits enlisted her special regard. This was true of one
middle-aged Union captain, to whom at first she had no call to
speak, for apparently he was not very seriously wounded. Even before
his face was cleansed from the smoke and dust of battle his large,
dark eyes and magnificent black beard caught her attention. Later
on, when feeding a helpless man near him, he spoke to her and held
out a photograph. She took it and saw the features of a blond young
girl scarcely as old as herself.
"My little girl," said the officer simply. "See how she resembles
her mother. That's one reason why I so idolize her," and he handed
Miss Lou another picture, that of a sweet, motherly face, to which
the former likeness bore the resemblance of bud to blossom.
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