Des Arc citizen., 1866-08-18
'rEIE MAGN0LEA.
\ Sketch of the Late War.

nae
 so" Constance, do you believe in charms, or are you superstitiousW anxiously asked Angelina Lyle of hercousn aud conlidante, Constance Vernon.
 "Why do you wish to know Angy ?' and the fair girl hesitated to reply
 Because you arc so much wiser than I am, and I have grieved so over my bro ken ring. am afraid something has hap. pened to Willie" and the dark eyes were lifted anxiously to rest on the broken frag- ments of tiny ear ring a1e gave me this the very day he left, just one month ago to day. Answer me, dear Constance" " impotlIously urged the agitatod girl, s.what ilsiyou?p 'A l..sFitF7 ss.4 I'LL i4a
 Nothing, deor,' she quietly replied ; "only was thinking of other days. Your ring was broken accidentally earelessly, l think. We will take it to the jewellers, and l am confident he can soon repair 1t; but, Angy am angry at my own foolish ness. l cannot help it. am superstiti- ous, and l will tell you what made me so" pe Angy's dark eyes grew bright as she drew tootstool to her cousins feet and sat there. This little gay chatter-box lov- ed most dearly to listen to story, and rom her beloved, reyered cousin Constance above all
 Angelina Lyle was merry maiden of eighteen Her father, a merchant in New York, and when after the war, he went South, and brought to their home the orphan daughter of his sister, who had lost her. all the warm heart of the girl soon attached itself, to her gentle, reserved and sorrowing relative.
 "Four years ago, dearest Angy, was just your age; and . more joyous maiden lived not. Plenty was around us. My father, you know owned large plantation in Alabama; and there, without one sorrow, my brother and, l dwelt in our parent $ home. E1
 "Ournext doorncighbor was Col Carson, and his family, like ours, numbered but one son and a daughter. Mary Carson was lovely girl of eighteen, and she wor. shipped my brother, and they were soon to be- married. But ihc war trumpet sounded, and my father and brother has tened to the battle field.
 "Albert Carson was then in Europe He ran the blockade, and one evening in September he came home. I was staying with Mary then, and. Angy, as woman loves but once, so | loved him.
 My soul passed from my keeping to his, and when he left his plantation to join his eommand-for he was Captain--I tied his sash on, handed him his sword, and badc him Gods speed; only regretting could not fight by his side. The evening before he left, we walked to splendid Magnolia tree, that stood just on the boun- diary line of our estates, There, Angy, we pighted our faith forever, come veal or woe, come peace or war.
 ,e'We parted there under the prca aches ofthat grand ldtrec The sky was clear and oloudless; the moon shone forth in it's brightest mood; the white blossoms looked whiter and the leaves greener than ever to me then. Words of love, that finger yet, hesaid At lastwe promised to meotthero, should either survive the other.
 "The battlesof Bull Run sent sorrow to many y.hearts. My only brother fell, and Mary Carson lost both father aud betroth- ed there. She became maniac, and in an asylum she now lives How I stood my trials I know not, I was a young thoughtless girl before. My father-my noble, good doting father--was appointed to the staff of General Johnston, He fell in the discharge of his duty, and my mother and were alone. God only knows how we existed. Our plantation was robbed, our servants were gone, and we were deso- late and destitute. Our friends were nearly as bad off as we were One hope cheered me; one thought comforied, me; I yet had Albert.E He was then a Colonel and sta toned near Mobile.
 "One night, tired out after day of great anxiety-a battle being then fought -I dreamed I was standing under our mag nolia tree. He was there. As l approach. ed he gently chided my delay and handed me half blown magnolia Angy. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. My hero fell before Richmond and still I lived on. Duty to my mother sustained me- I was the only tieltoa once happy one left her. My youth is gone, my heart is deso- lated.p and the young girl placed her hands upon Angy's head as she said, meeily, "AIay God spare this bright young head. Y
 Il could not live, Constance. ands suffer