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

A Romance in Real Life.
In the autumn of 1864 Captain -,
from AbhevilIe District, S. c., WAS COM
nlanding company in one Of the intan-
t.y regiments in kershaw's division of
the Confederate army. He was great
tavorite with his command, and had served
throughout the war with fidelity and dis
tinUtinn. 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
very precarious one, and the patience and
chcerfulness with which he bore his suf-
terinss 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
fascinating and attractive, and an ardent
Soulherner, having labored increasingly
in contributing to the 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 inde-
fatigable in her attentions. Mr.. was
engaged tha greater part of the day in
Lis business, and having implicit conf
dence in his wife, saw without any Fear
the strong 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 apprehended no danger in fad.
ing herself becoming more strongly at
tached to her patient, and more dependent
for happiness upon his society. The re-
lation was simply s. 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 wifes 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
lccted, and the whole of the mothers
time was spent in tho company of tn,
wounded officer. At last, in January.
1866, Captain - was convalescent, and
rcioined his command. Mrs. seemed
relieved by his absence, but soon became
dull and low spirited. Still she received
letters regularly from Captain -, and
to- this her husband made no objection.
In April, 1855, 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, and 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 ssesrtaincd that Captain -
vas at Point Lookout. He was ultimate
" released, al.l. without coming to this
city, went to 4is 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 cali upon her.
Mr.. was unfeignedly 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 at 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 had 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 iace be-
Caii4o padSk anu suiHiifE--dt Ulio iuoLDeuC
her cheeks would be flushed with excite.
ment, and at the next colorless as snow.
At one time she would be wildly gay and
Joyous, and then, a few hours later, be
gloomy and despairing, her conduct to.
wards her husband being characterized by
the strongest contrasts of warmth and
coldness In word and expression. The
great struggle between duty and lnclina.
ton was being fought in her heart, and
she knew itnot! Her husband was trust.
ing and confdent-unsuspicious in his
devoted love-while his honor and the
integrity of bis name were threatened
and jeopardized. People as length began
to talk, and some unpleasant rumors
reached the csrs of Mr.. -. He then
hinted to Captain ---.- that his visit had
been long one, and en-. Monday, zllth
instant, the Captain. left his house With
tho expressed intentiou of returning to
bis bone % che South.