The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-02-04

passion of tears, and leaning her head
upon his arm, shivered with excess of
agitation as she sark into a chair by his
side.
He caressed her tenderly. You will
not die, Lou. Your heart is not sell
fish one and by and by you will grow
strong in the consciousness of right 1t
is hard fol you, little one, but there are
many others who must bear the same
sorrow. This bright autumn's sunset
shines on many heart as loving as
yours, yet bravely sacrificing earthly
idols to the common cause of Liberty"
"Don't tell me that. | cannot listen
calmly to you," sobbed Louise, impe;u
ously. "Will nothing induce you to re-
main at home %
"Nothing can lead me from the path
of duty"
"Then l wish l might die tonight; !;
Oh, Lyle you don't love me, or you
would not speak so cruelty"
Hush, Louise ~ Norman Lyle's face
was very pale, as he spoke. "Iou knoy
| love you better than my life, but not
even your love can keep my services
from my country
Louise Corwin sprang up, her cheek:
crimson with anger: : You can go,
then. | never wish to hear you speak,
or see your face again. Whether il be to
Virginia or Missouri, South Carolina or
Kansas, it is nothing to me, so that | am
not near you. And from this day you
can consider our engagement annuled. :"
She gave him no time to reply, but
swept out of the room with the indignant
air of an empress, and a few moments la
ter saw her mingling with the crowd in
the sitting room.
1t was bitter pang to Norman Lyle,
and with compressed lips he bowed his
head on the broad window seat, alone
with his thoughts. From childhood he
had known and loved Louise Corwin and
for six months she had been his promis-
ed bride. Now her own lips had spoken
the words that sundered them, and from
henceforth he was nothing TO her. A
half hour wore away, and still he remain
ed there, while the inconsistent Louise,
who had already repented her hasty
words, watched for his temperance
among the guests. AT last she could no
longer endure her own feverish impa-
tience, and as twilight began to gather,
she stole into the library. The young
Lieutenant was sitting where she had
left him, and at the sight of his bent
head, the better feelings Of her nature
rushed to the surface.
Norman" said she, in low whis-
per. He raised his face, and she threw
her arm shyly across his neck, saying
= have come back to ask you where
your regiment is going"
You said you did not care, ;" said he,
quietly.
q know it, but | was so angry 1 did
not care for anything, then" returned
Louise.
. Do you. now ?" asked Lyle.
" Yes. like you just well enough
TO say that am sorry | spoke SO harsh
ly," said she, in her impulsive manner.
Lyle's arm stole around her waist, and
drew her gently down TO tho ottoman be,
side him. " Are you willing to have me
leave you, now ?" he asked.
Not quite, but if you will persist
-" Louise paused.
What then % smiled Lyle.
She caught up the package of enyel-
opes: " | shall want your address, so
that | can write it on one Of these as oft
en- as once a week"
The shadows darkened in that sombr.
room, but the echo Of kiss told that the
lovers quarrel was settled quite satistac-
torily.
There is little need of delinealion of
the parting scene that followed. Too
well is il known at the hearlhstones of
broken families to-day, and thousands of
hearts at the North are filled with the
same anxious grief, too sacred 10 be por.
trayed by pen. From the day Of Lyle's
departure, Louise Corwin was changed.
The light literature that had formerly
been her fayorite reading was totally
neglected, and in lis place was substtu.
ted the newspapers and important war
documents of the day.