Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-10-27

wife, ard will keep my promise at
any time you say. This may seem
unmaidenly, but at time like this
all reserve should be thrown aside,
and the heart alone be heard"
But Judge Nichols decided that
the marriage had better be postponed
until the impending conflict be de-
cided.
There at last came a day when
Adrian Arden stood before his be-
trothed in q captains uniform.
Thoroughly soldier-like and hand
some he looked, and Mabel's heart
throbbed exultingly as she looked
upon her hero. Parenthetically: 1t
is we'll established fact that an
ugly man, very common looking in
deed in citizens clothes, becomes
transformed into a hero by the
''trappings of war in woman's eyes;
and when he is fortunate enough to
be really fine looking, he is exalted
into a demig god.
1t was a splendid morning, and as
the sun rose in its radiant beauty, its
beams seemed TO contain rays OF sad
ness. The young, the old, fathers,
mothers, brothers, sisters, wives, all
were filed with indescribable emo
tions. TWAS the morning that the-Ga-
was to leave fon the "front." This
regiment was composed OF the flower
and chivalry of southern manhood.
A peer among peers stood Adrian
Arden. The adieu between him and
Mabel was over. A passionate en-
brace, lingering, soulful kiss, and
they parted, but with the determine
in each heart to be true "until death
did them part"
The band struck ups an inspiring
march; flags waved gayly in the
morning sunlight; bayonets brightly
glistened; and amidst the shouts OF
the bystauders the column moved
some TO be soon claimed by that grim
king whose acquaintance we all must
make sooner or later. and some to
carve their names in Fame's eternal
scroll, although their cause is lost
and their banner trails the dust.
-
There had been fought sanguinary
battle. Mabel, with trembling
heart, sargerly scanned the list Of
killed and wounded, but Adrian's
name appeared not Days went by,
and still DO news of Adrian. The
conviction gradually settled down
that the young man had been killed.
Mabel rebelled strongly against this
stroke of cruel fate; but at last He
that doeth all things wisely and
'stempers the wind to the shorn lamb
sent peace to the troubled heart.
= =.
"Grim-visaged war had sroothed
his wrinkled 'front.'" and the clash OF
arms had ceased in the land. The
war had wrought many changes.
Judge Nichols was dead. The most
of his wealth had vanished with the
downfall of the Confederacy; but
enough had been saved to support
Mabel comfortably and even ele
gantly. In all these years her heart
hadl never wandered from her first
love. His image was enshrined in
her hearts, and hers was one OF
those natures that can love but once;
for, let scoffers say as they wish, such
natures do exist, and thrice blessed
is he who can claim a heart like this
for his own.
Never a word had she heard OF
Adrian. Her great love did not
make her morbid and avoid society.
II she had been handsome at seven
teen, she was simply dazzling at five
and twenty, and many were the offers
she received. By no act OF hers did
she endeavor to arouse the sacred
fame in the breast masculine. but
whom the proposal did come she
gently but firmly refused.
The guests Of the celebrated White
Sulphur Springs were in state OF
great excitement. The night for the
ball OF the season was rapidly ap-
preaching, and nothing else was
talked OF.
It came at last. and tho handsome
ly decorated and spacious ball room
was filed with the "slite" and beauty
of the South. Without any effort of
her own, Mabel was the recognized
belle OF the evening; and the stranger
standing at one OF the windows
thought he had, never looked upon q
fairer sight. He was tall, handsome,
soldisry looking man, and had only
arrived by the last train. Az he
gazed upon Mabel his eyes bright
ensd with unutterable love.
As the evening advanced, Mabel
became tired of the glare and heat OF
the ball room. and, watching her
chance, she slipped unnoticsd, a. she
thought, away, and sought cool and
secluded corner OF the vine covered
piazza.
The moon shone brightly from the
heavens, and, % on that night 90
many years before, the air was fra
grant with the scent Of flowers.
From the ballroom came the sub
dued music of waltz, and tears rose
to Nabel's eyes a. she thought OF her
dead love and tho "long ago." Then
through the mist Of sadness came
the thought that he had died a.
hero should with his face to the
foe.
Her heart thrilled with these mem
ories, and
':Mabel, my darling, are you ready
to fulfill your promisep
Was she drsamingi Had the
memories OF other and happier days
made her imagine that it was Adrian's
voice that now spokei For q mo-
mont her heart seemed to stand still.