The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-09-17

ali officer in Ices army. At last my de-
siro to know something of my old friend
grew too strong to be kept down with
such scruples, and one afternoon I
walked to the house, and, passing up
the broad carriageway running from tho
road to the door, won't slowly up the
steps leading to the pleasant and shady
veranda, and just as was about sound
ing the massive old-fashioned knocker
the door was thrown opon, and a young
and beautiful woman stood before me.
The laugh that had been moment be-
fore rippling from her lips, ceased, and
she started back with slight gesture of
alarm, but my doffed cap and peaceful
attitude roassured her, and sho stood
waiting.
els Mrs. Wayne in ?" asked.
"'My mother is at home, who shall I
say desires to soc her?'"
''Charles Talbot, q class mate of her
son, and at present with the regiment
quartered in the village"
"'What, are you the Charley Talbot
who was Harry's chum at College?'"
IT am."
""Then come, for we all seem to know
you, and though on opposite sides are
friends, and she held out her hand"
'I took it, and it's warm clasp thrilled
mo strangely, as did tho clear glance of
the bright eyes that wero upturned to
mine."
"T am Mabel Wayne, Harry's sister,
she went on. we have heard so much
from Harry concerning you, and your
kindness to him, that we havo often
longed to meet you. Harry said that he
knew you would be in the Northern
army, but for us, in your case, there is
no war. Please be seated and T will call
MOTHER"
"We had passed into large, airy
drawing-room while she had been speak
ing. Hero she left me and soon re-
turned with middle-aged lady, whose
beauty was of that quiet, motherly kind,
80 rich in the power that makes one
comfortable and at ease. I found that,
despite my antagonistio uniform, I was
held friend and glad was to know
this, for the first glance of Mabel
Wayne's eyes had broken down tho
barriers that had raised against love-
barriers of which I had made many
boasts to myself-and knew that, como
what would, my future life would garner
its joy from her kindness, or have no
JOY at all. 7 was invited to remain to
supper, and did so; and when my duty
forced me to take my leave, I was asked
to make my calls rs frequent as my timo
and inclination would permit.
"You con easily surmlse that both
time and inclination made the interval
between my visits very short, and T soon
noticed that the door WAS always opened
by Mabel often ere I had reached the
steps leading to the veranda. Who
could mistake the motive of such mark
of favor? And you con know that to
my soul this brought glory that was
brighter than sunshine and whose music
was sweeter than tho spring chorus of
birds.
II have not told you of Mabel
Wayne's beauty. It was of that clear
Saxon type, which denotes bright and
sunny disposition. And she WAS as
merry as one could wish, possessing n
finely cultivated mind, sparkling wit,
and sweet, ringing voico that made it
a delight to sit and listen to hear her
talk. As you know, we were quartcred
two months in that village; but before
our regiment marched south had asked
Mabel to be my wife and had heard her
low voice toll Of love that I knew
would bless me all through the years.
Her mother gave willing consent, and
the time fixed for our union was the close
of the war.
"Thon came our marching orders,
and the raid in which won my majors
commission. During the year which
followed, and tho campaign of which
Gettysburg was the conclusion, heard
frequently from Mabel, for tho COM
municntion between her homo and our
lines was kept open. The last tremend-
Gus struggle southward with Grant fol-
lowed this, and as you all know, we
wero on patrol duty and reconnoitering
all the time md when tho flank move
ment begNn, kept we'll on tho outskirts
Of the army, and made that last raid
down tho peninsula, which brought tho
crisis of my life.
"Do you remember the day we wore
expecting to meet Fitz Hugh's men? T
was on picket duty that evening, and
had battalion Of our regiment deployed
along road that ran through somo
broken country. Just after night began
to deepen, and the shadows lay heavy
between the trees that hanked the road,
the rapid gallop of q horse sounded up
from narrow valley and telling tho
mon near to be ready, I rodo down the
sloping ground to meet tho person ap-
preaching. Soon I came to place that