Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-08-30
He smiled hopefully and ,patted his daugh-

He smiled hopefully and patted his daugh-
ter's fair cheek.
Rupert says they may 60 into Maryland,
papa and if Lee is successful in this cam
paign. we may have peace before winter"
"God grant it?' Mr.. Howard exclaimed,
fervently. "Our cause is holy and just; we
must prevail"
He sat down in one of the wicker chairs
which always stood in the porch and went
IF could for one moment doubt that VIC
tory would be ours in the end, would be
willing to give up my life at once, and | DO
sincerely pray in my heart that Infinite Mer-
cy will spare me the agony of another hour
Of existence if-if-we fail" .:......
The fine features of the old patriot CULVER
ed with emotion as he pronounced the last
words in tone of mingled defiance and des-
peration then instantly commanding him
self, he turned to the young man at his side.
"You leave in the morning. Rupert" .....
"At day-break. There seems to be hot
work ahead, but with our confidence in the
cause, we can only welcome it as prelude to
the happy end" . s-... :,
The supper.bell ringing merrily. broke in
upon his words. Rupert declined to stop,
saying he wished to pass the evening with his
aunt and cousins, Ada being especially desl-
rous of sending carload of messages, letters
and boxes, to Colonel Manning. ~
"Then she remains with her mother. An !!
we'll, poor girl, it is better than the inconve-
nience of camp, but it must be great sacrl-
fee for them both.
"Agnes, my DEAR" he added, as a lady
crossed the hall, "here is Rupert, wishing to
bid you goodbye -.
An elderly lady, greatly resembling Mrs.
Howard, but with countenance of singular
sweetness and serenity, came out upon the
porch. The young man was evidently ia
vorite with her, for she greeted him with un-
usual warmth.
"Aunt Agnes is so fond of you, Rupert, that
you may expect many jars of rare sweetmeats
and bottles of good old wine, when you re-
turn from your Maryland campaign" Sara
said, twining her arm in her aunt's.
"Sbe had better be teaching you her &C.
complshments in that line" Rupert respond
ed, laughingly "you know, Miss Agnes
Sara is to be my housekeeper when"
"When the war is over! All, yes; but
that seems long way of yet."
"Come, Agnes, don't sadden these last few
moments" Mr.. Howard exclaimed. "Let US
bid our soldier goodbye and God.speed, and
leave the children to themselves"
He gave his hand to Rupert as he spoke !;
and with hearty clasp and murmured pray
er for his safe return, turned and went IN.
His sister fingered awhile, making inquiries
as to Rupert's intended route; then kissing
him as mother would her son, with whis-
pered "God bless you'll" also left them.
"Now, Sara, dear, sing my song once more,
and then must 60"
She brought the guitar, and sat down on
the steps at his side. After striking a few
chords, which echoed sweetly on the still
summer night, she began singing that exquIs
ite little German air, so popular among US
when partings were harder than they are
now-"How can leave theef"
At the conclusion of the first verse, the
trembling voice utterly failed and bending
over the instrument, Sara burst into tears.
The young soldier was himself too much at:
fected to speak. He could only stroke the
soft curls, and press the icy little hands to his
lips.
The moon had risen, and was shining calm.
" down upon the knarled old oaks, and the
rich June roses upon the ivy.wreathed man
sion, and upon the young lovers. When Sara
looked up, the passionate burst Of tears hav-
ing relieved her for the moment, the moon
light illumned the face beside her with
strange beauty. That face, with the expires.
sion it wore then, was henceforward stamped
upon her faithful heart never to be erased.
All the emotions which beautify and ennobIe
the human countenance fingered upon the
handsome, spirited features-love, truth and
infinite tenderness. When he had hidden her
farewell, and his step was echoing down the
Quiet street, Sara clasped her hands, and fell
upon her knees A dreadful conviction flash
ed over her that she had broken "the first
and great commandment" Her absorbing
love trembled before the charge.
"God will take it from me" she murmur-
ed. "He will not bless what has caused me
to forget HIM"
"Thv will be done" she had prayed from
the earliest period her infant lips could lisp
the words; and His will sOas done!
So we all pray, unconscious that daily and
nightly we strengthen, if it we're possible, His
eternal DEGREES that daily and nightly we in
woke the destiny which we make for ourselves,
vet which He knoweth from the beginning of
time!