Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-04
A Romance in Real Life.
the autumn of 1864 Captain


: In the autumn of 1864 Captain -,
from AbhevilIe District, S. G., was COM
nlanding company in Que Of the intan-
t.y regiments in kershaw's division of
the Confederate army. He was q great
tavorite with his command, and had served
throughout the war with fidelity and dis
tin,tion In General Early's last great
disaster in the lower Valley, Captain -
was badly wounded, and was shortly
afterwards removed to one of the hospi-
tails in this city. His condition WAS a
very precarious one, and the patience and
cheertulness with which he bore his suf-
ferings attracted the attention of lady
who was visiting the wards. The lady III
question, the wife of an estimabe citizen.
was then about twenty-five years of age
She had been married for some years,
and had one daughter, then about FIVE
wears old. Mrs. - was exceedingly
fascinating and attractive, and an ardent
Southerner, having lahored increasingly
in contributing to tue comfort of our
soldiers. All her sympathies were awak-
ened by the sad condition of the wounded
officer, and she 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. IS house. Day
after day passed, and Mrs. = was nde-
fatigable in her attentions. Mr. was
engaged the greater part of the day in
his business, and having implicit conf.
dence in his wife, saw without any fear
the strong Z" friendship" which appeared
to exist between her and Captain -.
Up to this time Mrs. - had acted with
great candor and sincerity. She was at
tached to her husband and devoted to her
child, and apprshended no danger in find
ing herself becoming more strongly at
tached to her patient, and more dependent
for happiness upon his society. The re-
lation vas simply a . fraternal" one, and
with this assurance she quieted any doubts
that were excited by the occasional DEM
onstrativeness Of Captain - manner.
This condition of affairs lasted until
the beginning of 1855. MI. thought
that his wife's friend recovered but slow
ly, but his charitable and generous heart
would not allow himto make any remarl,
or express wish for his departure. The
little girl, however, was somewhat neg.
lected, and the whole of the mothers
time was spent in the company of tn,
wounded officer At last, in January.
1866, Captain -w was convnlescent, and
rcjo;ned his command. Mrs. seemed
relieved by his absence, but soon became
dull and low spilited. Still she received
letters regularly from Captain -, and
to- this her husband made no objection.
In April, 1865, on the retreat of Genl.
Lees army, Captain ---- was again
wounded, and afterwards taken prisoner
1t was stated in the papers that he had
been killed, aud Mrs. - seemed almost
crazy with grief; but this was still at
tributcd to nothing more than friend
ship" apd /" sisterly regard" After some
time it was sscertaincd that Captain -
was at Point Lookout. He was ultimate
" released, and, without coming to this
city, went to his home, in South Carolina.
Mrs. gradually recovered her cheer
fulness, and was all that her husband
could desire until few weeks ago. when
Captain - arrived in Richmond, and
went Immediately to call upon her.
Mr.. - was unfsignedly glad to meet
his wife's friend again, and invited him to
stay at his house. Then the plot thick
ened! There was no need for Captain
to remain constantly in the house,
but he continued to do so. He declined
all introductions that were offered him,
and would not go OF all into general socie-
ty. At every hour Of the day he was
found in the company of Mrs. -.
They played, sang, read poetry and
walked together, until Mr.. - became
fairly annoyed and his fears aroused. He
had no doubt of the wife who ha1 prom
ised to "love, 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 be-
came paler and thinner--at one moment
her cheeks would be flushed with excite.
ment, and at the next colorless as snow.
At one time she would be wildly CAV and
Joyous, and then, = few hours later, be
gloomy and deapalring, her conduct to.
wards her husband being characterized BY
the strongest contrasts Of warmth and
ooldness In word and expression. The
great struggle between duty and inclina.
ton was being fought in her heart, and
abe knew itnoti Her husband was trpst.
ing and confdent-unsuspicious in his
devoted love-while his honor and the
integrity of his name were threatened
and jeopardizsd. People at length began
to talk, and some unpleasant rumors
reached the cars of Mr.. -. He then
limited to Captain that his visit had
been long one, and ons,M Monday, -l1th
instant, the Captain. left his house with
che expressed intention Of returning to
bis honae 10 che South.