Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-02-24
Love and Theft.

| Franklin Coulter, a dry goods clerk,
| Joined as private one of the tirst New
York regiments that volunteered for the
suppression of the rebellion. In the course
of service he won the rank Of second lieu
tenant, then that of first lieutenant, and
| finally brevet captainCy.
Toward the close of the war his regiment
was encamped at small village of Virgin
ia guarding depot of supplies. 1t was
an easy and pleasant service, and both Of
fcers and men delighted IN it.
Beside the village, which had only been
depopulated Of It's young men there were
several fine plantations in the neighbor-
hood, the property OF families that had
been wealthy and were still proud.
The young ladies of the village and the
plantations, although they grieved for those
who were away, could not be expected to
devote their entire time TO that employ
ment, and were not unwilling to be con-
soled by their ''conquerors," who exer:ed
themselves to provide all manner of amuse-
ment, so that time should not hang heavy
their hands.
AT the plantation which was nearest the
village, Frank Coulter was great favorite
ami constant visitor.
1t was the home of the Penohyns, fam
lily of English descent, highly considered
in the neighborhood. AT that time the fam
lily was reduced to Mrs. Penohyn and her
two daughters, Ada and Augusta, her hus-
band being dead, and her only son in Lees
army. The younger of the daughters, Au-
gusta, was Frank Coulter's choice.
She was a beautiful brunette, peculiarly
susceptible to the charms of manly pres
ence, and had been too young at the open
ing of the war to claim a sweetheart among
the yeung men who went to fight.
At the Penohyns' Frank Coulter spent
most of his spare time, his agreeable man-
ners making him welcome to all the family,
and there was no doubt that he was devot-
ed to Augusta it was evident, also, to
those who observed closely, that she was
ready TO reclprocate his affection whenever
he should choose to declare it. But no
words of love had yet passed between them.
and 1t is probable that Coulter felt that the
uncertainties of war did not justify him in
making the desired declaration.
One evening he had staid at the Peno-
| hyns' until it was quite late, and was re-
quested to remain all night, as he had done
on one previous occasion. He consented,
and retired to his room at reasonable hour
as he would be obliged to leave very early
in the morning. Augusta Penohyn re-
manned seated on the porch alone, enjoy
ing the beauty of the summer night, and
adnlring the moonlight as it was filtered
through the vines. She was also thinking
of the handsome young Union soldier who
had lately left her side, wondering whether
he really loved her, and wishing, if he did,
that he would declare himself and end her
suspense.
From this reverie she was aroused by the
sound Of light football. Turning her
head, she saw Frank Coulter approaching
her. He had removed his coat and boots,
but this partial unGress was neither unusu-
al or Objectionable, as the nights were very
warm. and he was an intimate friend.
He did not seem to be looking at Angus
ia; indeed, his eyes were strangely fixed
upon vacancy; but he came to her side,
took her hand, and slowly and solemnly
spoke these words:
whatever may happen, Augusta, re-
member that l love Youtrllly and faithfully
that my heart Is entirely yours"
Then be dropped her hand, turned quick
ly, and walked away as swiftly and silently
as he had come, before she could recover
from her surprise or make any movement
or reply.
To Augusta this conduct appeared strange
but not unaccountable. She soon came to
the conclusion that he was more timid than
she had supposed HIM to be-that he had
formed a sudden resolution, as he was about
to retire for the night, to declare his love-
that he had mustered courage to come down
and speak the words that she had longed to
hear, and then frightened by his own au-
dacity, had hastened away before he could
learn his fate.
But the thought that he loved her was
blissful enough for Augusta. She deter
mined to 90 and dream on it, and went up
stairs TO her room. There another strange
surprise awaited her.
AS she reached the open door, she saw a
man standing at the bureau, and by the
moonlight she recognized him as Frank
Coulter. He held in his hand her watch
and chain, which he had taken from their
place on the bureau. Then he turned and
swiftly left the room, looking straight
ahead, as if he supposed himself to be un-
cen.
Augusta Penohyn was even more amazed
by this second encounter than she had been
by the first She was so astounded that
she did not know what to do or say. She
shrank back into the shadow of the door,
while the young man passed her, with the
watch and chain visible in his hand, and
disappeared.in the passage that led to his
own apartment.
The young lady entered her room, and
sat down to reflect upon this very peculiar
occurrence. Could it be that her lover
wanted to carry away the watch and chain
as remembrance of her, Or that he merely
wanted something that was hers to put un-
der his pillow that night9 Or was the pro-
ceeding intended as a joke, which would be
explained and laughed over in the morningf
Surely it could be nothing worse than this,