Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-05-27

possible, certain division of the brigade to
which they were attached, which was rumored
to be in Union county, when they encountered
struggling party of the enemy, camped out
in the woods, and quite unprepared for their
approach. No sooner did our "boys in gray"
realize the situation, than they dashed in
among them, and speedily killed or captured
the whole number. The prisoners, it must be
owned, were few; for were these not some OF
Sherman's men, and was not that noble and
chivalrous commander, even then, countenan.
cling the sack and pillage of a surrendered
city, filled with helpless women and children
One tall, lanky young 1rishman pleaded so
pitifully for quarter that Maurice, in sheer
contempt, agreed to yield to his petition, de-
claring that his life wasn't worth the trouble
of taking. "Shure and yell not regret your
generosity" quoth the valiant son of Erin,
"when tells you I've got a widowed mother
of me own in Charleston, who has no dlpln-
dence in the world but meself alone"
"a widowed mother in Charleston! Then
what are you doing with this uniform on, in
stead of at home toss6ght in her defense ?"
"Shure and didn't I wear the beautiful
gray for two long years, till was taken in
one of the bloodiest battles that ever was
fought? And then when was carried North,
I thought it would save trouble just to stay
where | was, and 80, you see"
"And so you deserted to the enemy, you
scoundrel You are the worst Of the lot. If
hadn't promised to spare you. I'd shoot you
down where you stand But promise you
I'll see you put in place where you'll be
kept from doing any more mischief"
"Shure and I'll be glad to git out of the
army at any COST" said the rascal, "for it's
the meanest profession going. But mustn't
forget to tell you," he added, suddenly, that
there's beautiful young lady here, who'll be
glad enough to see your faces, I'm thinking,
if she's not dead already with fright"
"A young lady! What do you mean ?"
"a prisoner-that one of our men-no, the
saints Forbid One of these rogues in blue,
that I've parted company with for ever
took, night before last, and brought away
from home. He'd fancy to marry her, but
divil bit would she listen to his proposals.
He's kilt now-I seed him drop, over yonder."
"But the lady-take US instantly to her"
cried Maurice, while the others gathered ca
gerly around.
This way, then-she's in the waggin, safe
and sound, right under them trees"
Sure enough, there was baggage.wagon,
drawn up in the shade of a clump of oaks, a
little way beyond Within it sat, or rather
crouched, the pale and terrified Alice. She
had heard the approach of the cavalry and
the noise of the brief encounter, but did not
dare to look out, not knowing whether the
new arrivals were friends or foes, or what
treatment she might expect at their hands.
Judge of her thankfulness and joy, when she
found herself in the midst Of band Of Con-
federate soldiers, who assured her of her safe
ty, and promised her speedy restoration to
her friends. In the first flush of excitement
she did not notice Maurice, who, suffering the
others to press before him, stood at little
distance, regarding her with glance in which
doubt, anxiety and eager joy, were strangely
mingled. Suddenly, with look of convic-
ton, he stepped quickly forward.
"Alice Alice!" he cried, extending both
hands. Have I found you at last ?"
She looked up at him, the flush and pallor
alternating on her face. The voice she knew
it thrilled on her heart like the echo of a
strain of music, loved in the days that were
past, but long silenced, save in the chambers
of her heart; but the gaunt figure, the fea-
lures sharpened by illness, and rendered
stranger by the dress he wore, could they be-
long to Maurice? She hesitated for one in
stant-one instant only; the next, she had
placed her hands in his, and tremuously ut
tered his name. They had met again-met
after the years Of separation which had been
fraught with such change, such tumult, as to
make the past which lay behind them seem
almost as unreal and like dream as this
strange and unexpected meeting now appear
ed to them BOTH
Explanations were necessarily brief. 1t
was a time for acting, not talking and a plan
of action was speedily determined upon.
Alice was, of course extremely anxious to
return to Mrs. Delatour, about whose condi-
tion she felt the greatest solicitude; and it was
decided that Maurice and two Of his compan-
ions should act as her escort to Elmwood.
The road, as far as they knew, was safe; but
as it was necessary to proceed with caution as
we'll as speed, they chose somewhat circuit
Gus route, Alice being mounted on Maurices s
own horse, while he took possession Of one be-
longing to the defeated party. That ride was
the most fatiguiDg Alice had ever taken, yet
it seemed all too short, in the happiness. she
felt in her cousins society. How much there
was for both to tell! Yet the subjects most
important to them both were touched upon
by neither, and when they reached their des-
tination, she felt, in spite Of her satisfaction,
as if there was blank somewhere that ought
to he filled up, yet she could not tell how.
Poor Elmwood! How forlorn it looked.
The dwelling house was pile ofruins, charred
and still smoking, the tall brick chimneys
alone standing, like sentinels guarding fallen
post. They rode on to the village, and found
that several houses there had shared the same
fate. Mrs. Mortons, however, had been
spared and thither Mrs. Delatour had been
removed She had been terribly shaken and
overcome by the mysterious disappearance of
Alice, which had affected her far more than
the destruction Of her own property; and
they were obliged to break the news of her
return very gently to her, lest the shock of
joy should prove more injurious than that of
grief
81 shall see you soon again. said Maurice,
as he held his cousins hand at parting, "pro-
vided you don't get spirited away out of my
knowledge second time, like the enchanted
heroine of fairy tale. And, meanwhile,
don't forget your promised letter to your
grandfather; 1 know you feel shy of making
his acquaintance, but you will love him dear
! ly when you learn to know him."
CHAPTER XXI.
ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WE'LL.
The war was over. The struggle the doubts,
were past, and people tried to settle down with
what resignation they might to the disastrous