Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-03-21
Love and Theft.


suppression of the Rebellion. In the
course Of service he won the rank of Sc
cond lieutenant, then that of first lieu
tenant, and finally brevet captaincy.
Toward the close of the war his regi-
ment was encamped at small village
in Virginia, guarding depot of sup
plies. 1t was an easy and pleasant SER
vice, and both officers and men delight
ed In it.
Beside the village, which had only
been depopulated Of its young men,
there were several fine plantations in the
ncighborhood, 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 employment. and were not unwill-
ing to be consoled by their "conquerors'
who exerted themselves to provide all
manner of amusement, so that time
should not hang heavy on their hands.
At the plantation which was nearest
the village, Frank Coulter was great
favorite and constant visitor.
1t was the home of the Penohyns, a
family of English descent, highly con-
sidered in the neighborhood. At that
time the family was reduced to Mrs.
Penohyn and her two daughters, Ada
and Augusta, her husband being dead,
and her only son in Lees army. The
younger of the daughters, Augusta, was
Frank Coulter's choice.
She was beautiful brunette, pecu-
liarly susceptible to the charms of
manly presence, and had been too young
at the opening Of the war to claim a
sweetheart among the young men who
went to fight.
At the Penohyns' Frank Coulter
spent most of his spare time, his agree
able manners making him welcome to all
the family, and there was no doubt that
he was devoted to Augusta. 1t was ev-
ident, also, to those who observed close
ly, that she was ready to reciprocate his
affection whenever he should choose to
declare it. But no words of love had
passed between them, and it is probable
that Coulter felt that the uncertainties
CT war did not justify him in making
the desired declaration.
One evening he had stayed at the
Penohyns' until it was quite late, and
was requested to remain all night as he
had done on one previous occasion. He
| consented, and retired to his room at a
reasonable hour as he would be obliged
: to leave very early in the morning. Au.
gusta Penohyn remained seated on the
porch alone, enjoying the beauty of the
summer night, and admiring the moon
light as it was ftered through the vines
, She was also thinking of the handsome
;, Union soldier who had lately left hel
2 side, wondering whether he really loved
her, and wishing, if he did, that he
4 would declare himself and end her sus
l pense
From this reverie she was aroused by
the sound of light football Turning
r her head, she saw Frank Coulter ap
e preaching her. He had removed hi:
Il coat and boots, but this partial undres
was neither unusual or Objectionable al
the nights were very warm, and he wa
an Intimate friend.
e He did not seem to be looking at Au
d gusta; indeed, his eyes were strangel,
e fixed upon vacancy; but he came to he
e side, took her hand and slowly and sol
5 emnly spoke these words:
q Whatever may happen, Augusta, re
IL member that | love you truly and faith
/ fully-that my heart is entirely yours.
d Then he dropped her hand, turne
1t quickly. and walked away as swift
and silently as he had come, before sh
could recover from her surprise or max
any movement or reply.
r 10 Augusta this conduct appeare
II strange but not unaccountable. Sh
e, soon came to the conclusion that he wa
70 more timid than she had supposed hil
le to be-that he had formed a sudden re-
h olution, as he was about to retire fc
y. the night, to declare his love-that h
1T had mastered courage to come down an
e. speak the words that she had longed |
at hear. and then frighteded by his ow
,e audacity, had fastened away before |
- could learn his fate.
1e But the thought that he loved h,
Il, was ollssIui enough Tor Augusta. 81
Il, determined to go and dream on it. al
/! went up stairs to her room. The
q, a. another strange surprise awaited her.
# AS she reached the open door. 81
a. saw man standing at the bureau, al
by the moonlight she recognized him
pl,1r H L1l1 L,
g. "N NJ" oo'i'o1' A0 neiu III hiS h"i
r. her watch and chain, which he had ia
31y en- from their place on the burea
ng Then he turned and swiftly left t
rs Us room, looking straight ahead, as if
w. supposed himself to be unseen.