Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-07-19
q Selette0 Skettt.
A ROMANCE In REAL LIFE.

In the autumn or 1904, Captaln -,
from Abbsville District, s. C., was COM
msnding q company in one of the infantry
regiments in Kershaw's division of the Con
fedsrate army. He was great favorite
with his command, and had served through:
out the war with fidelity and distinction.
In General Early's last great disaster in the
lower valley, Captain - was badly woun-
ded, and was shortly afterwards removed to
one of the hospitals in this city. His con-
dition was very precarious one, and the
patience and cheerfulness with which he
bore his sufferings attracted the attention of
q lady who was visiting the wards. The
lady in question, the wife of an estimable
citizen, was then about twenty-five years of
age. She had been married for some years,
and had one daughter, then about five
years old. Mrs. was exceedingly faci'
mating and attractive, and an ardent
Southerner, having labored increasingly in
contributing to the comfort of our soldiers.
All her sympathies were awakened by the
sad condition of the wounded officer, and
took him under her own special care. 1t
was some weeks before Captain - could
again be moved with safety, and he was
then, with her husbands consent, taken to
Mrs. ---'s house. Day after day passed,
and Mrs. - was indefatigable in her at
teutions. Mr.. 49, was engaged the greater
part of the day in his business, and having
implicit confidence in his wife, saw without
any fear, the strong 'sfriendship" which
appeared to exist between her and Captain
-. Up to this time Mrs. had acted
with great candor and sincerity. She was
attached to her child, and appreheuded no
danger in finding herself becoming more
strongly attached to her patient, and more
dependent for happiness upon his society
The relation was simply q "fratesnaP' one,
and with this assurance she quieted any
doubts that were excited by the occasional
demonstrativeness of Captain IS man
per. '
This condition of affairs lasted until the
beginning of 1866. Mr.. - thought that
his wife's friend recovered but slowly, but
his charitable and generous heart would not
allow him to make any remark or express a
wish for his departure. The little girl,
however, was somewhat neglected, and the
whole of the mothers time was spent in
the company of the wounded officer. At
last, in January, 1865, Captain - was
convalescent, and rejoined his command,
Mrs. - seemed relieved by his absence,
but soon became dull and low,spirited
Still she received letters regularly from
Captain -, and tothis her husband made
no objection.
In April, 1865, on the retreat of General
Lees army, Captain - was again woun-
ded, and afterwards taken prisoner. 1t was
stated in the papers that he had been killed,
and Mrs. seemed almost crazy with
grief; but this was still attributed to moth
ing more than Friendship" and 'sisterly
regard" After some time it was ascer-
tainsd that Captain - was at Point
Lookout. He was ultimately released, and,
without coming to this city, went to his
home, in South Carolina. Mrs. --
gradually recovered her cheerfuluess, and
was all her husband could desire until
few weeks ago, when Captain - arrived
in Richmond, and went Immediately to call
upon her. - 'r-
Mr.. wssunfeigningly glad to meet
his wife's friend again, and invited him to
stay at his house. Then the plot thicken.
ed! There was no need for Captain
to remain constantly in the house, but he
continued to do 50. He declined all intro
duetions that were offered him, and would
not go at all into general society. At every
honr of the day be was found in the CON-
pany of Mrs. --. They played, sang,
read poetry and walked together, until MIR.
became fairly annoyed and his fears
aroused. he had no doubt of the wife
who had promised to slove honor and obey
him" but he did fear for the peace of mind
Of the young officer.
The manner and appearance of Mrs. -
gradually changed. Her face became paler
and thinner-at one moment her cheeks
would be flushed with excitement, and at
the next eolorless as snow. At one time
she would be wildly gay and joyous, and
then, q few houts later, be gloomy and des-
pairing; her conduct towards her husband
being characterized by the strongest con-
trasts of warmth and coldness in word and
expression. The great struggle between
duty and inclination was being fought ir
her heart, and she knew it not q! Her hus-
band was trusting and con6deut--unsuspi'
cious in his devoted love-while his honor
and the integrity of bis name were threat,
ened and jeopsrdized. People at length
began to talk, and some unpleasant rumors
reached the ears of Mr.. - He then
limited to Captain - that his visit had
been long one, and on Monday, 1lth
instant, the Captain left his house with the
expressed intention of returning to his home
in the South.
Mrs. became moody and reserved.
She would not allow her little daughter to
be near her, and treated her husband with
eoldness and contempt. 1t was noticed
49, Il -. o,t O yraot deal in the eve.