The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-03-05
McGREG0R, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1862
icht. It's too bad I should have had the

light. 1t is too bad! I should have had tn
dark hair and eyes, Carrie
Yes, Charles, but then, you know, Vic
Canterbury says fair hair and eyes are 81
aristocratc,' said Carrie, archly.
so she does. had forgotten that. But
good night, my precious sister. You grow
more like your mother every day, Carrie
His sister! Oh, am so glad! And tn
his knees and thanking God for the woman'
purity. He had not doubted it i; but tn,
curse of scandal is that in spite Of one'
better nature, when one hears so much
something of distrust will cling to the heart
Soon there came knock at the General
own door-a summons for him to 90 to th'
apartments of brother officer, on business
whose rooms were situated in another par
Of the house
AS he was returning, at IL o'clock, h,
saw a small, slight figure coming up tht
hall from an opposite direction. As he cam,
nearer, he saw that it was Mrs. Leeds. Sht
still wore the rich dress she had wCrn (,
dinner. A superb crimson shawl Of Can
ton Grape was flung over her head, almos
covering the blue black curls, and tight,
clasped under the chin BY two small, white
hands. But the white, despairing face, tha
rose from out that crimson drapery woult
haunt one lifetime.
As she passed the General, she drew hel
shawl over her face, as though to conceal it
and he, ga,lantly, fixed his eyes upon tn,
floor, as though in brown study. II,
reached his rooms too excited to sleep
Something was agog! what was it? Taking
down his we'll worn bible, this hero OF ,
hundred battles read, as was his night,
custom. 1t might have been ten, or per
haps fifteen minutes, when light steI
passed his door, accompanied by one SLOW
and heavy-the two entered Mrs. Iced:
room.
Soon he heard the sweet voice Of Mrs
Leeds say pleadingly:
Don't be angry, Harry. Sit down, dear
| have nice cup Of strong coffee on tht
bedroom stove for you. Come and drink
it, and then let us so to bed, am so tired.
why don't you 60 to bed then? sale
the man GROSSLY, in thick, drawling tones
that showed he was in liquor.
% Harry, couldn't! But, now that yor
arc here safe, can sleep quite content
Come, Harry
Go to bed yourself, Mrs. Leeds: I sham
sleep tonight. Where is that precious
brother Of yours? Has he come here te
act the spy en- my actions"
% Harry! you know that Charlie would
not do that-Charlie that has been you,
friend from boyhood. He was sorry tha
you were not here o-nigh..'
'Ay III be bound you had rare disf
Of scar d,l at my expense. Ha ha 4! ha !!
Harry Leeds, you know be;terr and 70,
the first time the tones were indignant. -
You know that have been a faithful, tru,
wife, and would speak disparag;ngly Of yol
to no one not even to my brother. Blu
come now, Harry, undress and let US go t,
| rest
There is no use fooling, Mrs. Leeds;
am going back to room 1876 : the boys wan
me. Mind You dom. come after me again.
And he rose to 20.
| %, my dear husband, please don't so of
again. said she in pleading tones.
Take your arms from about my neck
woman, or will strike you.'
NO, Harry; you are hut testing. Yo'
wouia not sti!Ns me, Your o"n Carrie F.!
Wouldn'tI? Then, to convince you
take that And heavy brutal blow fel
upon the slender form, and, with an oath
the man left the room, slam,ning the doc
after him.
Not sound came from the stricken VIC
man. Gen. Lee listened in an agony of sus
lpense for the faintest sound to relieve tn
dread he selt lest the heavy blow had kille
the frail loving wife. Several minute
passed. Then he ceuid endure it no longer
Il am old enough to be her father, he so
liloquized. Il will throw aside all etiQuett
and see if she is hurt He forthwith opere
the door and looked within. All. what
| sight met his eyes! Upon the floor lay tn
stricken wife, pale and motionlesS, the bloc
trickling from the wounded arm where
Ing the inanimate form, he laid it upon til
soia and tears-that were no shame to h
manhood-fell upon the pale, young fac
He bathed her face with water, and 500.
to his great joy, the large, dreamy, blu
eyes opened and rested upon him. Sh
looked at him as though bewildered theI
in moment, recollection returned, and
flush of shame dyed her face. In answt
to the questioning look in her eyes, he said
My room joins yours, madam. | kne
you were alone; and hearing no sound a
ter your fall, feared you might be yer
much hurt, therefore took the liberty
coming in. Do not mind me. | am a
old Man-old enough to be your father.
will ring for the chambcrmaid to assist yo,
and then leave YOU
"Oh no! can do very well. woul
not have her come and see me in full din
ner dress at this hour, and see this bloot
too" ...
Trying to rise, she fell back family, an
tears pressed through the closed lashes.
II am deeply indebted to you alread,
General Lee and, if you would assist NJ
into my bedroom, can then manag
alone" Tenderly the noble man supper
ed the slight form into the adjoining roon
AS he turned to leave she said:
General, you will keep this dreary seer
modification to have it known througho,
the house."
II will never speak of it, madam; bat
would advise you to inform your brothe
and have him remove you from under Nj
Leeds control. Excuse my bluntnes!
madam; it is meant in kindness NJ
heart aches for you, and cannot help bu
speak plainly. Good night madam"
Next day the sweet face was very pal
and the ewes heavy but that was the onl
trace of last nights conflict. The wounde
arm was covered up from the brother
sight, and he never drcamt Of his only sis
ter's sufferings. Mr. Leeds did not retur
that day. The brother and sister spent tn