There was bitter lamentation in many homes. Perhaps
the names of Captain Nichol and Helen were oftenest repeated in
the little community, for the fact of their mutual hopes was no
longer a secret. Even thus early some sagacious people nodded
their heads and remarked, "Hobart Martine may have his chance
yet." Helen Kemble believed without the shadow of a doubt that all
the heart she had for love had perished in the wilderness.
The facts contained in Jim Wetherby's letter were telegraphed to
Martine, and he was not long in discovering confirmation of them
in the temporary hospitals near the battlefield. He found a man of
Captain Nichol's company to whom Jim had related the
circumstances. For days the loyal friend searched laboriously the
horrible region of strife, often sickened nearly unto death by the
scenes he witnessed, for his nature had not been rendered callous
by familiarity with the results of war. Then instead of returning
home, he employed the influence given by his letters and passes,
backed by his own earnest pleading, to obtain permission for a
visit to Nichol's regiment.
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