Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-04-02
MISCELLANY. Y.
[ From the True Ladez.l
THE FATAL MISTAKE.


Capt. George Lsle of Fauquier and his friend
Edwin Graves resigned their commissions in
the regular service, and enlisted in " Company
B, Mosby's Battalion"
These men had proved themselves good SOL
diers on more than one hard fought battlefield;
yet having taste for partizan life, and belley-
ing that a glad day must soon dawn for every
true Southron, they were anxious to try for
time the exciting service led by the gallant
Mosby. A month later, when the SHOW lay
cold and still over hill and valley, aud the fro
zen sleet gttered upon leahess trees, Captain
Lislc brought tie almost lileleSs form Of his
friend home to his sister, telling her to care for
him or he might die. He had been severely if
not mortally wounded in an attack the previ-
Gus night upon Major Coles camp near Har-
pers Ferry.
True to her trust Nina Lislc applied herself
with faithful devotion to the restoration OF
the wounded man to health and before the
birds had trilled forth their sweet lays beneath
June sky, he was again the strong and bouy-
ant soldier Was it strange that his heart
went out towards his fair nurse to know no re-
turning? She had restored him to health she
had given him kind words and acts of loving
tenderness: and he, in turn, gave her the
deepest love Of all his manhood's years.
A golden gleam of light lii up the Eastern
sky The morning smiled so calm and beauti-
full, it seemed that the spirit of loveliness had
set lis seal upon every scene. And while all
was fair and bright without, the world within
presented a scene Of no less interest. Idly clip
ping the dew-gemmed flowers gathered fresh
from their stems, Nina Lisle looked as bright
aud beautiful as the morning. At her side
stood handsome, grave, thoughtful looking
man, gazing earnestly down into her face
For several moments he watched her thus,
spel-bound- to move or speak. Nina
clipped away industriously with her scissors as
if unconscious of his presence until he had
sighed checked himself, then spoke in a tone
Of passionate earnestness:
Miss Nina, cannot reproach you. God
knows the ending Of a farewell like this
Goodbye"
Are you going2" she asked srtlessy {;
" then goodbye, Edwin"
Pressing her hand in lis, with cold bow,
he walked calmly out Of the house, and rode
slowly down through the long avenue Of trees.
Rising with an abrupt start the flowers fell in
confused mass uuheeded at her feet
81 will watch him out Of sight" che said,
but quickly added Z" No he may neTer re-
turn" Then with light girlish laugh she ex-
claimed: al am supers;itiousj he is sure to
come back"
A self-conscious smile stole over her fair face,
happy light shot out from between her long
frnged eye-lds, as she recalled to memory the
many who had returned before. Nina was not
constituted heartless coquette Her heart was
too good naturally, her sympathy with Others
too active for that She was merely what cir
cumstances had made her-tbe courted and
adnired-the reigning belle Of the ballroom
the pride and beauty Of all the Piedmont Val
lev. She knew aud felt her power; but, un-
fortunately. she did not know her own mind.
Secure in the belief that the chiyalric man, who
had lust left her side would return, and un-
conscious Of the great wrong she had done her
own heart, his parting words affected her but
little.
: Reaching the lawn gate, Edwin Graves
checked his steed, and looked observantly a.
round him as if be would carry with him the
remembrance Of that scene. Then giving bis
horse the reins, he passed swiftly on. There
was stern, determined CLEAN in bis dark
blue eyes, bis lips were firmly compressed, bis
raven hair thrown carelessly back, leaving
fearfully pale his noble face upon whose every
outline could be traced instructive greatness.
The cruel war was over. Four years Of ar
duous struggling and the Sunny South was
subdued. After long absence in Richmond,
Nina Isle found herself once again undsPuted
oueen Of her own native hills She went out
a lovely girl, and returned brilliant woman
IS calm and unrufled as the blue sea when
the sun shines on it." We find her in deep
and silent reyerie.
General Atherton bad requested decided
and 6nal answer that evening, and she wai
: thinking of him; thinking too Of dearer one
still aud a nearer one, who would com'
again now that the war was ended
thinking how she would tell him that she hat
loved him always best and dearest. She lookec
very lovely in her dress Of light ETHEREAL blue
which seemed TO borrow its tint from the Sum
, mer sky, so well j. became her complexion
Of dazzling fairness. This dress was relieves
at the throat by collar OF snowy whiteness
in which a sprig Of jessamine spray was caugh
n by coral pin, matching the bands OF scarle
velvet, bound ooquetishly in the waves OF he