Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-11-27
IN THE SHADOW.

' heart. Have you not even one hopeful word for me tonight"
 "Theo, believe you are actually hand some in that coat. No, it is not you; its the uniform that looks so handsome"
 Well, would rather have you praise this precious gray than praise me. have longed to wear it for two yea.s, you know. But even now l have scarcely overcome my mothers terror of having her youngest en- list. Yet 1 must disregard the unspoken entreaties in her eyes, for a force stronger than I am impels me. But, Lesley, let mo talk to you tonight about something else as dear to my heart the cause would be proud and glad to die for"
 Don't torment me, , half pouted the pretty lips. "Let me see your lovely new sword" Then, as he drew the gleaming blade, Put it back; it looks 50 cruel o, Theo, want you to distinguish yourself, and come back crowned with honors, and all that, but don't kill anybody"
 More closely his strong hand grasped the swords hilt.
 Nobody, love, that you would care to spare. Lesley take my sword in your little hand and smite me on the shoulder as l kneel, and so confer knighthood upon me,P
 Rise, Sir Theodore Floyd, and go forth to DaUUIe TOT SOQ ana Itle us u true elAu l loyal knightin Her lips curved into 0 smile, but her eyes were sweetly serious First pressing his mouth against q fold of her soft dress, he arose and stood looking down into her flower face. ''Thanlzs, my liege lady. And forevermore every throb of my heart that IS not my coun- try's shall be yours. You know join Her. | berts company tomorrow, and it may Do many months before I can see you again. l Will you not give me the sweetest of prom ises to take with mo for light and gladness until I return, that you will be mine if como back with a brave record when we | have won?"
 She stood quite quiet for a little space that seemed an eternity to the youth whose quick | heartbeats shock his heavy frame Her deep gaze rested on tranquil Massanutten, moon | crowned.
 ''No, dear," she said at last ''Mother is right We are both too young to bind our selves, too inexperienced even to know our selves, No!" with a little imperious gesture, as he would have spoken. Don't urge me again!n Then she laid her hand on his arm as he turned away with face of pain
 But, Theo, because have cared for you all my life next to mother, and you are going away now, and because my whole soul is in the cause you may die for--I will kiss you once before you go."
 
 No fairer June than that of 1864 ever law ishly scattered her crimson and amber roses throughout lovely Luray valley. Fair as that same June, and wearing the most fault | less of those roses-the crimson to match her lips, and the amber her hair-Lesley Lindon walked in the shadow of solemn Massanut- ten at the close of @ perfect day.
 The slim, handsome officer at her side, with his arm in sling, does not wear the gray that Lesley expressed such moderation for last June time. Nor does she give him the frank glances and kindly smiles that met faithful Theo's brown eyes. And yet it might be safer if she did.
 ''No, Captain Elmer" she was saying, ''you do yourself injustice and me TO honor in urging such a suit. Speak of it no more, and we may part friends tomorrow"
 'sLesley, you shall not escape my love. ' ou shall not crush my heart-yes, and mar your own life-simply because, by all unfortunate incongruity, the proudest Virginian blood flows through your veins, while my pretty mother trusts Knickerbocker descent. 1t is absurd to let such things separate us. What though today wear the blue aad you wor,- ship the gray? That does not alter the fact that we two were destined for each other from the beginning of the world. Our wisest men declare thabthis fratricidal war cannot
 
 soon--in victory for the stronger cause. Don't turn from mo trembling, darling. Twenty-Five years hence, when we celebrate our silver wedding, we will scarcely care which side 1triumphed.n
 q shall care forever" she passionately cried, land we two must be forever apartl Leave me now"
 II will not, Lesley, unless you declare that you do not love me-"
 "I detest the uniform you wear!"
 s'But you love mel"
 s'I loathe the government you obey"
 "But you love mel"
 '.I hate your cruelty to meI''
 The soft Virginian morn could not smile away the frown from savage Massanutten when, half an hour later, two figures walked slowly up the avenue, and Lesley's yellow curls were blowing over the blue coat she de tested.
 'sVanburgh, must you leave me so soong she asked with sigh.
 aYes," he replied, 1T must go tomorrow I shall bless always the southern bullet that almost shattered my poor arm, but gave me you, soul of my soul. But now even the pro lection of Lindon Place might not save mt from being made aprisoner soon. Besides, beg to insist that you and your mother leave the valley for a few months, at least. I trus that in the late autumn 1 can come back tt you"
 A little tremor shook her form, but he drew her closer as she would have slipped iron him.
 ''You must not do that, Lesley. I sweal , by the imrnutability of wonder grim noun tain that neither prejudice, nor pride, no defeat, nor victory, nor any other thing shal separate me from you, the ono love of m. whole life!"
 
 !. The 10th day ofsOctober, 1864, when tn : Virginia valleys wore the soft, hyacynthin glories of late Indian summer, was fatefu day for thousands of men there Exactl. one month before-and not many miles dis : tant-had been fought the battle of th < Apegnon, Winchesters disastrous day.
 Capt. Vanburgh Elmer, of the Fifth Uni ted States cavalry, under Brig. Gen. Merritt had cause to remember that 18th of Septenl Der and the Apegnon with unpleasant vivid ness. For as he pressed on the retreatinl confederates tat day a young cavalryman ! with close cut chestnut curls and shining fl