Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-05-01

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to the roots of his whiskers, and who DRAM
frantically out of his fnger-glass, and overse
the gravy, was not desirable. Besides, he ha
fair hair and no moustache, and Isabel liket
moustaches, and raven locks, and men VIII
knew how to use their tongue. Yes, she de
cided before she arose she preferred Waite
Raymond; and yet-poor John He hat
been her playmate long ago, her brave, true
hearted boy lover, and she had always Likes
him. 1t did seem. little hard.
In o corner of the long drawing-room, some
what in shadow, Isabel sat at the piano
playing brilliantly, with Walter Raymond
turning her leaves, and bending over her witt
such rapt face. The storm of music ceased
and then there was an idle strumming on th'
keys, and then-out it came-one passionate
eloquent impetuous appeal. She listened
half frightened, yet pleased, too-it was 81
romantic, you know. The Corsair never
wooed aMedora" more eloquenly than this
Poor John Warner, sitting melancholy ane
aloof, still saw and understood it all. Isabel
lifting her eyes from the piano keys, saw hin
too, and the half sacred ayes" trembling or
her lips died there. Poor John! Her heart
huttered a little, and then stood still. She
had come from race of heroes, this dark
eyed Kentucky maid, and the blood of hel
forefathers rose in her veins.
"Mr. Raymond, You are very good to
care for me so much; but II am afraid !
don't like you, you know just as much as
ought. If you will wait, if you will give me
time"
He caught her hand and kissed it in a rap
ture. Give her time-of course, he would
give her eternity, or anything else, if he had it
"Thank you," Isabel said gratefully. "Give
me six months, and then you shall have your
answer"
Mr.. Raymond looked rather taken back
Six months was longer thar THAT he had an
ticipated. But no matter he would be gal
liant and wait
SIN three months I expected 10 sail for
Europe" he said I" but Jour will, fair lady,
is my law. will postpone the journey, and
when 20, fairest and dearest Isabel, l trust,
l believe, you will 90 with me-"
That poor John Warner didn't be see
and understand all this in bis remote CT er,
and gnash his teeth with impoent rage and
jealousy.
"The lights were fed,
The garands dead,
And the banquet hall deserted"
But still he sat there silent and sulky-
that's the word orit. Miss Wyndham wrapped
herself ina crimson shawl and stepped out
on the verandah with yawn that was not
very encouraging. He started up, goaded to
desperation, and stood beside her. Ah, how
pretty she was You might have fallen in
love with her yourself had you seen her there,
her long dark curls Auttering, her eyes like
stars, and the moonlight falling like tender
glory around her. There Mr.. John Warner
told his story--rather incoherenty, rather
historically, not at all Us the CorSair or
"Couut Lara" would have told it.
Miss Wyndham listened and looked ct the
moon, and felt little sorry for him, poor fel:.
low, but tn, words were cold that fell from
her rosy lips. Still there was hope in them,
hope Mr. Warner had hardly dreamed of. He
was to wait six months-at the end of that
time, she, Miss Wyndham, would have made
up her mind.
Mr.. Warner rod. home that night in the
silvery moonlight, au ecstatic man. lie
couldn't sleep Of course, he could do nothing
but smoke cigars and think Of Isabel's black
eyes. Mr.. Raymond, more seusblc, went TO
bed like Christian and Isabel dreamed with
her rosy check pillowcd on her white arms,
that she was being married 30 them both, and
likely to have perplexing time betwce them.
Five months passed away, and the great
rebellion had broken forth. Tho war cry
from Sumter mad echoed through the length
and breadth of the land. The South cried
aljud to her young men to grid on the sword
and free their lovely land from the tyrant yoke
of the opprcssor. With one heart they an
swer-an army of braves, and went forth from
kindred and friends, to fight for their freedom
and their right.
In the tender twilight Isabel sat alone, the
shadows Of the clematis climbing round the
open window, coming and going on her
thoughtful face. Only one month left now,
and as far from decision as ever.
HIt doesn't matter much," she thought,
"this is no time for marrying or giving in
marriage Now is the opportunity Of proving
what mettle they are made Of, when their
csuntry calls. When the South is freed from
the Northern yoke let them return, and my
promise will be kept. None bat the brave
deserve the fair"
While the thought was yet in her mind the
door opened, and Walter Raymond, elegant
as ever, stood before her. Miss Wyndham
arose with welcoming smile, and an inquir-
inc rlance. She had seen neither of her sui
tors for the past throe weeks, and there was
q certain anxious expression in Mr.. Raymond's
face now that tod her. fore he spoke, his
visit meant more than mere lovers call. A
few desultory common places, and then he
struck into the heart Of the matter at once.
"Isabel," he said nervously, "the business
I spoke of FIVE months ago! cannot any
longer be postponed. / must depart at once
for Europe, bat before ! go will you not give
ME that promised answer? Oh, Isabel will
YOU not come with me ?"
Before Miss Wyndham couldrep the door
was flung open by servant, and John War
ner strobe into the room. He looked eager
and flushed, and he wore the gray uniform of
the Confederate army. The flush faded from
his face at the first sight of Isabel and Ray
mond seated side by side, her hand in his,
that down cast look in her face. She hastily
snatched her hand away, and stood up as her
second suitor came forward.
"Pray don't disturb yourself, Miss Wynd-.
ham, Mr.. Warner said, coldly, and with a
yery pale, stern face. 81 shall not remain q
moment merely rode over to say good bye"
"Good bye" Isabel faltered, "you mean
you are going"
aWhere glory leads me, and all that sort
of thiug,nr trying to speak ,carelessly. "Iam
Captain Warner now, very much at your SER
vice. and off tomorrow to face the foe. Good
bye, Miss Wyndham-say farewell to Mr..
Jordan for me-"
With nod to Raymond, he was COMO
standing over the moonlt lawn, will his cap
pulled over his eyes, and his heart plunging
4 IL O. i.