The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-12-02
nlonitomof pilot.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1886
LOVE AND WAR.

SEPARATION, ARE FINALLY UNITED.
Van Bernard, wish you to under
stand distinctly that | am at liberty
to choose my own company, and do
not purpose that you shall dictate to
me, either and Ellen Gilbert gave
her worsted an emphatic jerk by way
Of emphasis.
But, Ellen, this fellow is strang-
er, and-well / do not like the look of
his black eyes"
Van spoke his convictions, for # his
+, feelings had not been hurt by his evl-
dent interest In the maiden he loved,
there was something SO forblddlng
| about this elegant stranger, who had
been spending the autumn among the
Ohio hills, as to put plain, honest Van
on his guard.
/ Henry Romans is perfect gentle
man, and understands how to conduct
himself in the presence of ladies,
which is more than could be said OF
some young men [ know" Ellen re
torted, angrily.
Van colored at the thrust, but man
aged to say, coolly:
talk, for-well, every body knows we
are engaged"
Engaged! Van Bernard, when did
| promise to become your wife? So
far as / can recollect, you have never
yet asked me, and it is not probable
that l should consent to such pro
position without some such intimatiOn
on your part
While Ellen was speaking shadow
creDt over Vans honest face, and leav
ing his chair he came over and lean
ed heavily against the mantel. When
he could steady his voice, he said,
slowly and sadly: ELLEN, there never
was a time when | did not look upon
you as my future wife, though We
have never gone through the formal
ity Of asking and answering that
question, we understood each other
perfectly. Is not the engagement
ring upon your finger at this very
moment" Snatching the ring from
her hand she threw it towards him,
saying: $50 perish the last link thai
BINDS us together. [ am G lad to be
| free-to feel that you can not hold me
TO a bargain that was never made"
Ellen, you know l do not wish my
| freedom, and you are just as confident
that | would never try to hold you 10
an engagement Of which you are tired.
Yen are not yourself this evening.
When you think over your hasty
words You Will decide differently"
Never, [ despise you, and hope
you will never come into my presence
again" Ellen flashed back.
Van took his hat from the table, and
walked slowly out of the doorway and
down the path to the gate. He did
not go home, but turning into path
that crossed the meadow, he wander
ed aimlessly along until he reached a
secluded spot, where he sat down to
think From his earliest boyhood he
had known and loved Ellen Gilbert
As they grew up to manhood and wo-
manhood their affections conferred
more and more in each other, and
years ago it came to be understood
that in due course Of time they would
make a home for themselves. Though
more than ordinarily intelligent, Van
was only a plain farmer; but, until
the coming of Henry Romans, Ellen
had been proud of his sterling quail
ties, and the whole wealth of her
young heart belonged to him.
Romans had come to spend the sea
son with a friend, and in making love
to the pretty, little rustic maiden,
he had no higher motive than to be
amused for few tedious weeks. Ell
len was dazzled by his stylish appear
ance, and enjoyed the envious glance
OF her young companions: but, al
though she wished Van was not So
old fashioned, she really loved him a.
we'll as ever, Once or twice she was
tempted to call him back and tell him
! she did not mean what she had said.
but calling her pride for assistance,
She determined 10 teach him a whole
some lesson.
Poor Van! 1t is too bad, for /
care more for him, rough and awE
ward as he is, than for this handsome
stranger. with all his gold and know
ledge Of the ways Of the world" she
said to herself, after trying III vain to
! find an excuse for her harsh words
| But | will let him alone for a few
days. for he must learn that he can
not dictate TO Gilbert
Van did not come back the next day
as she had anticipated, so for his
special benefit she attended the con
cert in company with Henry Romans.
Van was there. but away back in a
dark corner, where his white face
did not haunt the unfaithful girl, and
so heart sick did he become at the
careless remarks of those around him,
concerning the turn things had taken.
that before the entertainment was
half over he slipped out, unobserved.
and, stealing softly in at the cottage
door. sought his own room; and thera
he spent the rest of the night IN con
irving plans for his mothers comfort
for he had fully determined to offel
his services to the recruiting officer
before another sun should set.
When in the morning he unfolded
his plans to his widowed mother
silent tears rolled down her withered
cheeks. but not word of complaint
did she utter. Other mothers Were
compelled to part with their Sons, and
why should she be spared the pains Of
separation? 1t was soon arranged
that her son Ben should take charge
of the farm and its work, and, before
the stars came out that night, Van
had taken the last kiss from the dear
old mothers lips, and had marched
away with the boys in blue. He had
not spoken a word concerning Ellen's
unfaithfulness, but the mothers intui-
ton told her something was amiss be
tween them.
| When Ellen heard of her lovers en-
listment she wept bitterly, but her