The National tribune., 1884-05-01
A WAR ROMANCE,
Showing How Gertrude Adams Found
a Husband.
EBy Kate b. Sherwood.l

in the summer of - was soiourning at the
haatltIfu village of W. noted for its fine
medicinal spring and salubrious climate. Visit
ors were there from all parts Of the Union-a
large percentage coming from the Gulf States.
The utmost cordiality existed among the people
Of an sections and lt so happened that my most
particular friends represented the two ex
trelnes Of North and South. Gertrude Adams
was one Of these, a genuine New England 2lrl
from Massachusetts,; the other was young
gentleman from Mobile, Col. Garrett who had
served with distinction in the rebel army, and
was at that particular time an ardent supporter
OF Mr.. Greeley aud candidate on the electoral
ticket OF his native State.
Gertrude Adams had marked individuality
OF face aud character. Among thousand
women she would have excited admiration, not
Ter her beauty, although that was considerable,
bat for a certain distinction of bearing and re-
pose Of manner rare especially among the
younger members Of her sex. She was not
above the medium height. though conveying
an opposite impression because OF statellncss
Of carriage aud a head whose natural pose re-
semb.ed that Of the famed beauty Of Milo.
Her eyes were deep and dark-clear wells OF
thought bat fathomless as cleaT-hintIng of
soul thronging with memories and deep prob
lcnis If life and liies sad entities. Every iea-
tHrc-tho fincly-arched eyebrow, the curved,
cluar-Cut lips. thc straight, sensitive nose, with
itsthin diAtting nostr;is even the small trans
parent car-tald of a refined, proud. vet gra-
Cioas and generous nature. Through and over
ail these came the iuc1tabic light from the
sweet sanctitics Of a pure and genuine nature
the saints hale OF perfect womanhood.
III This description have been recorded my
impressions as they first presented themselves
MANY pictures suggested at other times might
have been given. Tor hers was q mature of great
versatility. aud her face mirror OF the souls
moods But when one makes a portrait be
should crown ID with the uniform everyday
expression. If he would have it recognizable by
ones everyday friends
From the beginning loved Gertrude Adams,
and gave her a place ia my heart. wondering,
rs ! do now. how I had lived 50 long without
such compauionshif. She crept so quietly into
ones heart. making SO few ezsctions and hush
ing SO many iongings-she was so true and
iust-she was SO free from ieal0usies and piques
and whims. that always had my doubts about
her humanity until the occurrence of a little
circumstance to he related hereafter. Up 10
that time ] was not sure that / was not enter
tanning an angel unawares Her extreme in
difference TO the society Of the opposite sex
heightened my romantic views OF her.
For Col Galnett there is little TO be said.
He was q self-c0nstrained, accomplished gentle
man warm hearted aud impuisiTe, who wore
his heart on his sleeve and paid the utmost
difference TO beauty and wonlanly worth. he
was in fine health himself. having accompa-
MED an invalid friend to the springs, and was
eager for any diversion or recreation that prom
Used relief from the duh routine Of a summer
resort. III thus happened that Col. Garnet
became the companion Of Gertrude Adams and
myself I'D many a long walk and ranlble through
and around the pleasant village
The views around W. village nesting
snugly ia the valley Of the Little Fox, are very
picturesque The town itself Is charming, with
country surrounding is a succession Of peaceful
pastoral scenes, waving fields. slumbering lake
Jets picturesque farm houses, and cattle sleek
and conteu a in the green, lHxuriant pastures.
Everything Is restlul and conducive to mental
rrpose-that better sort which follows the con-
temptation Of beautiful scenes and the deep in
halatipns possible only in a pure and ingigorat-
ing atmosphere. Physically. one feels strange
ly and unaccoHnfabiy baoyant. lie wants 10
walk, to dance, 70 sing to measure words with
bis neighbdr. The hills invite him TO ascend,
the waters becko8 him 10 their bosom, the
groves lure him o their fragrant rccesses. One
thinks nothing Of a fitE-nlile drive over roads
that aTe better than asphaltu.n pavements,
and Through q country that j. Ike an artists
dream Of pastoral beauty. One thinks nothing
Of fiye-mile walk, with dozen delightful
landscapes along the way to satisfy aesthetic
cravings aBd drive away fatigue.
To TIE north OF the village and beyond the
little river. whose fall j. SO gentle and whose
banks are SO low that one hardly suspects its
eEistcnca until upon lis very brink, is line Of
hills half covered with growth Of forest trees,
and whose summit, crowned with an observa-
tory. commands fine view OF the surrounding
country Up to that point by a circaitons
winding walk, thence down the other side,
ihr0ugh the oaks and the sumaeh bushes TO the
springs became faverite walk Of ours.
Everything was enjoyable IN these strolls
unless. indeed il WAS the singular retscent and
embarrassed manner u Gertrude adams when
ever directly addressed by Col Garnet. As
long as the conversation was general il was all
wei enough but if perchance ] fell back a
little in the walk, or stepped asideas we taTried,
a. i often Cid that the two might have the
opportunity for better acquaintance, the
greatest cDRstraint would mark the conduct
q nv friend for the rest Of the walk.
All this, occurring repeatedly, had It's eject
upon Col. Garnet, who one day called TO say
that lor thelutHre nc would fJrego the pleasure
81 attending US IN our walks feeling gate sat
ished that we would enjoy them much better
without BiEl. Pressing him for an explanation,
although ] anticipated what be would say. be
informed INC that bis determination was alto
Eether owing TO the conduct OF nay friend to-
wares ban. Lie sad, further, that he had con-
ceiyed the greatest admiration FOR her, but that
he WIS convinced that she was repealed by his
presence 10 such a degree that she suffered
actual Ilaia II he but spoke TO her.
! could not let the matter rest without an
attempt At reconciliation, and asked the Colonel
before his departure to withhold his resolution
one day longer hoping by that time 10 gain
from Miss Adams some explanation Of her real
feelings in TIE matter.
Accordingly, arose and crossed to her room
on tie opposite side Of the hall. She answered
lily zap very sardliv and ] observed that her
taco flushed and troubled. She held a
little cedar box ID her hand, and from the I'D
hastily pressed Gown, ] saw j part Of a crushed
letter pr8tFuding.
Gertrude Adams was thorough mistress Of
herself and could conceal her real feelings ad
mirlbiv when sufficient time was allowed hcl
10 rally her forces OF wit aud philosophy
Kn0wiAg Ills ] resolved to give her no oppor
tunfIy for drawing within her shell. and before
she had hardly seated herself ] said: Ger
trnde Adams why do you dislike Col Gar
nettg"
] WAS almost sorry Cor what had said when
] saw her tgru 50 deatAly pale, and then, with
out word, boH her bead IN her hands and
break forth into passionate weeping: yet, j
was the only way Of stOrming the citadel Of he
heart, aud while ] repr0ached l secretly con
gratglated myself On my success. After long
long time as il seemed TO Ine, Gertrude arose
laid the cedar box on the table, and walking {
the bureau began brushing her long BROW
hair a. though utterly obliyiOus Of my pres
encc. il wss her way While Others woul
e1pcnd an oppressive nervous force in ezcite
words, Gertrude would walk, or work, o
Il 10 the privacy Of her own room, comb he