The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-10-17

y
1t means simply, that, like most women,
give in such measure as receive. Last
night thought you loved me-"
And so do. God knowsT
DO you think believe you? Would a
man who loved u woman SO away from her
to almost certain destruction, without even
the grace to tell her his purpose until after
he had pledged himself? Why did you not
come here before you enlistedy
Because WAS too cowardly. You have
the honest truth now. loved you 80 well
that dared not trust myself to your per-
suasions.'
A halfsuppresscd triumph looked from
Clara Cages eyes. She liked, even then
this confession Of her power over him. She
determined to test it fully. As his mother
had done before, she asked,
why do you not get a commissionf l
know you could. II would be bad enough
to have you 90 at best. 1t is 80 much easier
to fight where the martial music clashes,
and the excitement OF the hour works heart
and brain to madness, than to wait ut home
and open every days newspaper as il 1t
might contain your death-warrant. | might
bear it; might forgive your leaving me so
cruelty. IL you went in position worthy oi
your name. If you go as private, never
will
Dare's courage rose now. Summoned by
her attack, /, leaPcd up and formed INTO
line.or battle with quick bravery. He an
swcr,d her as he had answered his mother
berors-cavc her, with calm patience, all
his reasons.
Her eyes hardened, looking wide at him
with cold wan, Of comprehension, Of SYM
pathy. which he had never seen in them be-
CorJ. She waited until he was all through,
when she said--0l so quietly
NV mind is not changed. II you 90. as
you have planned, You 50 my enemy, not
my betrothed.'
She had gone just the one step too hr,--
lie had no more persuasions for her now, and
scant courtesy. His voice shivered through
her nerves like the sharp whirr of bullet,
4 accept the position toward you which
you elect! Miss Gage, You had better ask
God to forgive you in time: your death
bed will not be easy without such mercy!'
She trembled, There was that in his tone
and manner which appalled, her. She began
to fecl that she was a woman, and weak
and he was a man, and strong. But abe
had pride as stern and inh,xible as his
courage For sole answer she took from
her finger ring wherein single diamond
sparklcd, and dropped it into his extended
palm. Then arising. she bowed as she
would have dismissed q morning visitor, a'
he stood. hat in hand, before her:
Hrs soul clamored for one touch OF her
careless hand, her falsly.suilng lips. But
he mastered the emotion. aud only said,
Il shall fight the better for this, Mis-
Gage! More than one dead rebel will have
to thank you for his death-wound. The
man who leaves least at home, can best af'
ford to throw his life away
Two days after that he marched with hi'
regiment lie had not seen Clara Gag,
again.
She did not 20 the next week to Newport
She bad said he would be to her only as heI
enemy. but sckening longing took posses
sion of her to trace that enemy's fate She
could not, have danced-l think her limb:
were too unsteady. Her father-she had nc
mother, was astonished at her resolution to re-
main in town all through the season; com
bated il little at FIRST then became CON
WINGED that, after all, no place was more
comfortable than Beacon Hill. and began tc
rejoice secretly in coming from business to an
open house, and u house which woman, :,
presence made comfortable.
The autumn had not passed before, in the
depths of her soul. she had repen'ed; but
her stubborn pride would scarcely acknow'
lelgs IL even to herself she would not oper
her heart to one emotion Of tender truth
Yet there was something ievcrish in the ca
gerness with which she caught at every day
psper. Scarcely his own mother followed
the footsteps of that regiment 50 ceaselessly
Mrs Dare waited in hope. Once persuad
cd to consent to her sons wishes, she haC
gone with him heart and soul She had sale
che would pray for him hourly, and she did
Perhaps those prayers were mighty to turr
Southern bullets. lie was in many engage
ments-wounded slightly sometimes, but *
far, he had seemed to bear charmed life
No gre,, peril came near him.
Before he went away he bad told hismoth
cr that all was at an end between him snt
Miss Gage, and given her the reason. Ill
, had not entered into the particulars, but th'
little he said had been enough to enlist OF
his side all his mother's ardent sympaihies
I The two women had been almost friends be
fore-drawu together by their love for ont
object. Since he went away they had neve
spoken. They had met in the street few
times, passing each other with a cold bow
, and that was all. Mrs. Dare saw at thcs'
times that the girl was growing pale, and ]
did her heart good.