Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-09-19
An Enemy's Wife.

"before the surrender.
1t was deeply shaded by the glossy
leaved evergreen of that climate, and,at
the time of our story, was buried in
April blossoms.
AS the short, Southern twilight deep
ened into odorous night, young couple
might have been seen seated upon the
broad gallery which ran across the front
of the house. Almost hidden by the
luxuriant sprays of the yellow jasmine,
that goldened-crowned queen Of the
Southern forest, which covered the gal
lery, sat a tall, dark-eyed girl, the
daughter of the wealthy Creole family
who had owned the mansion for many
years. Young, handsome, gifted, she
was the acknowledged belle of the lead
ing circles in the old town, and repre-
sem ted all the ideal characteristics of a
true Southerner. The young man who
sat near her was distinctly of differ
ent type. His fair skin and deep blue
eyes indicated his Northern blood.
Their conversation had been fippant,
but grave undercurrent of thought ran
in the mind of each.
For it was troubled time, strange
rumors were ahoat, deep threats had
been uttered, mysterious preparations
were under way, the rumbling of cannon
wheels could almost be heard. The
chivalric fire of the old city needed but
breath to fan it into flames that would
leap to the towering clouds. And in
the veins of this beautiful Creole girl
flowed the hot Southern blood. 10y
ally she loved the dreamy luxurious
South, and scorned the horny-handed,
practical Northern foe. Yet notwith-
standing her lifelong predjudices, the
young man at her side. who had been
her constant attendant during the Win
ter, was of the most rigid puritanic
type. just the son of whose high prin-
ciples and pure life New England
mother would be proud. Dreamily
Frank Howard had walked and driven
and danced with this girl, with scarcely
thought of the future until this April
night, when he suddenly realized how
deeply and immensely he had learned
to love her; that the farewell he had
come to utter could not be spoken un-
less at her command. Unlike any
woman he had ever met before, with a
full, rich nature, brilliant, impulsive,
she had bound him with links that he
could not sever. Something of this
was passing through his mind during a
long pause in their conversation, which
he finally broke by calling her name for
the first time in tone which made her
start and turn her face away.
Eugene. 1 came tonight to say
goodbye to you. but"
She rose quickly and turned her face
toward him. bright with meaning in the
light of the risen moon; he arose and
went nearer.
'But you know that must. yet can
not leave you; that I love you as l
never dreamed l could love any living
woman; you cannot know the awful
pain it gives me ?"
"Why must it give you pain ?" she
asked, letting him take both her hands.
Because it means a great sacrifice
for one of US. These are threatening
days-a call for soldiers has gone
through my country. 1t is call that
separates even husband and wife-one
that no strong man can refuse for his
own selfish love. and [ must co.
''But you are not in the North, you
are with us-of us-stay. This talk
will soon blow over" said Engenie, and
then, twining her arm about his should.
ers, she pressed her face against his,
whispering, "For my sake, stay"
For an instant the young man gath
cred her in his arms, feeling that the
temptation was stronger than ne could
resist, as for the first time her soft
cheek touched his, her magnetic hands
lay upon his neck. But it was only q
moment, and then he said with white
lips and husky voice:
"My darling, my hearts treasure, you
must not tempt me SO. [ cannot be 6
traitor to my country, even for the love
of a peerless woman. Will you let me
take you to the peace and security o.
the North ?"
"Never !" she answered, drawing away
from him with flashing eyes. "Never
[ will not be traitor to my country
either"
/ "Then we must part.
"Very we'll, l am glad to be savec
from such lover, a calculating Yanke,
who would sell the very mother tha
bore him. I cannot return such love,
and she turned scornfully away il
wounded pride and love.
''But stay one moment, Miss De Loss
will you not give me good-by p ask
ed the young man with a perfectly pal
lid face.
"Oh, yes. and wish you God speed il