The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1870-12-25

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had thought his eyes blue they ve..
purple in their deep lame, ard burned
with inward, intense light that seemed
70 make luminous his psllid face, while i,
intensified the crimson ci his delicate lips
We came to the bordrrs of grassy
oak grove, where he reined in his horse
and assisted 'ns 10 alight and we walked
slowly into the cootsess OF that fragrant
place
It appeared TO me that he was holding
check upon hi,nself-that he even feared
his own impetuosity. As for me, it was
impossible to break the silence by any
commonplace remark. There seemed an
electricity in his atmosphere that enthrsl-
led me in a power that could hardly re-
sist, because it was 90 dear-whether I
owned it or not.
Atlast he delayed our walk, and turn
ing toward me said You knew I was
to 60 away to-day2"
"Yes."
Then yoQ pprposely refused me the
common pobteness Of . farewellP.
II granted nor refused you nothing !:
I was absent" I replied, in the cold tone
ofeonstrs;uA myaverted hceeowing pa
l~ every minuta
"Am l. then % dissgrsesble to you ?
Do you dislike me 2"
"No.s
It was theutmost I could do to reply
reply thus in monosyllahles.
1T is true what you have said of the
life have led But given Q { ma If some
time I can tell you it is true that all pre-
judice has been swept away by q power
stronger than all, what win you say to
me p
How did I answer him? I felt an un-
controllable emotion rising to subdue
mo-
"Iwould say that I should dare to
trust my life and happiness with you."I
replied. recalling with partial success my
calmnesa
"Now take me home !" I entreated, un-
able to endure this longer.
He complied in silence. The darkness
was gathering fast as we rode along the
narrow road He left me at the gate Of
the Wyndham grounds. with no word OF
glance that pierced the
dusk. that stamped memory upon my
soul.
The weeks went by in monotonous
routine. and il, in that dull calm, ther ),
was subtle sweetness diffused throu9h
my days. I was 20 unconscious that I
lid not know what kept me from bitter
less and unquiet.
Six months passed. I was still in
Major Wyndham's employ, and had
very reason to believe that 30 long Oh
lis children needed instruction I should
emain with them.
But too late had I fingered in tho
country, and now, in the spirit
4 wild war that famed over the land, Il
vas impossible, or at least unsafe, b. at
empt the journey North, and 1 remain
d with Mira Wyndham. State after
tate seeded, and among the very first
Iajor Wyndham hurried to Sonth Caro-
ma to offer his military services.
Meantime our home life went on, now
nd then disturbed by the near approach
t the turnult Of war, but a. . whole
comparatively tranquil
The second year Of the war drew to
lose. A young colonel ON his way to
is regiment. stopped for nights hos
itality from his cousin, Mrs Wyndham.
Ind seen him several times before, and
ould not be wholly unconscious that he
semed pleased with me. That evening.
the moonlight with Mrs. Wyndhsm
nd me, he grew enthusiastic and COM
lmicstive in consequence of which, I
armed Of IN intended attack upon .
rgo body OF Federal soldiers stationed
,me twenty-five miles to the east of us
. sort of advance guard of q stin larger
The colonel was sanguine a.
, the result.
/ listened with cheeks whose scarlet
ush the moonlight did not reveal A
.gue fear hnd seized ma What il