The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1865-02-01
1874

perfect serenity of her department. that charmed
me as no woman had charmed me before.
"You weep-you suffer-" she said sweetly, |
and her voice completed the charm. II am so
sorry that should have intruded upon your
grief! Let me hope it is not remediless.''
I strove to speak, but my words would not
come for some moments Her evident sympa.
thy with my emotion seemed to break down the
barriers that might exist between strangers
and when L at length regained my speech her
attention seemed rivetted by the tale of grief
poured from my lips. felt that could speak
to her long tried, dearly loved friend, so in
timately did she come into my thoughts and ex-
perences and the words of consolation which
she spoke were not those stereotyped, prov err
bal ones, that repel and annoy every true
mourner.
1t was but few moments that she fingered
near me; but when she departed she had left
not shadow but a, sunlight over my path
Who was she? Should [ ever see her again p
These were questions that forced themselves
upon me when she had gone. Something Of
stateliness fancied had detected, of one born
to rank, and with noble blood in her veins. But
her garb was such the simplest cottage maid
ell might wear, and her hair wore no ornament
save it's own beautiful and glossy curls, that
hung free and unfettered her dress hung
about her figure.
Why follow infinitely this tale of love? An
other and another interview, and then we both
knew that in life or death, in joy sorrow, in
prosperous or adverse hours, each would be to
the other second self. Neither had ever asked
question of the other in regard to name, lin
cage, rank or POSSESSIONS 1t was the old story
of trusting, confiding love-unbought, unsold.-
Each was all the world to each and the contract
that bound our hearts together sealed by no
senseless parchment, but by single kiss, pure
and holy in it's truth and fervor.
There yet no word of marriage [ iudg-
ed that Clemence might be poor. Her dress of
simple gray was not at all differing from the
lowest Florentine maiden, except that it was
even more studiously plain. 1t hung from her
neck, with nothing but simple zone confirming
the folds around herswaist and fastened by
tiny steel clasp. But what cared L for wealth or
poverty in her who, if Heaven permitted to
join fates together, would be the greatest
treasure ever bestowed upon man! O, those
hours of happiness that we passed together in
this aforementioned time! Not that l had so
forgotten my friend. No, he was ever pre-
sent to my mind but another had filled the void
in my heart.
L would have gladly presented Clemence to my
mother, but the former wished to delay it for a
season, and l willingly acceded to her request
that no one should know or our acquaintance at
present. l recalled from this dream of bliss
by my mother. One day when 1 had fingered
away longer than usual, she said to me:
9 Leonard you have mourned long and faith
fully for your friend. / do not grudge you the
hours thus devoted to q grief that honors alike
you and him but there other duties await
ing you, and you must rise up strong and brave,
to meet them"
How longed to tell her of Clemence, but
would not give way to the longing, she had
wished il otherwise.