The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-23
IN THE SHADOW OF MASSANUTTEN.
BY Leonora Book.

'But have loved You all your life, sweet
heart. Have you not even one hopeful word
for me tonight?"
"Theo, Ibelieve you actually handsome
in that coat. No, it is not you; it is tho uni
form that looks so handsome"
well, would rather have you praise this
precious gray than praise me. / have longed
to wear it for two years. you know. But even
now have scarcely overcome my mothers
terror OF having her youngest enlist. Yet /
must disregard the unspoken entreaties in her
eyes, for force stronger than am impcls
me. But Lesley, let me talk to you tonight
about something else as dear to my heart as
tho cause would be proud and glad to die
! for"
Don't torment me" half pointed the pretty
lips. "Let me see your lovely new sword"
Then, as he drew the cleaning blade, "Put
ii back it looks so cruel. ., Theo, want you
| to distinguish yourself, and come back CROWN
cd with honors, and all that, but don't kill
! anybody
More closely his strong hand graspod the
swords hilt.
"Nobody, love, that you would care to SPARE
Lesley, take my sword in your little hand and
smte me on the shoulder as / kneel, and SO
confer lSnighthood upon me-"
"Rise, Sir Theodore Floyd, and 60 forth to
| pilttlo lOl OOu ana Jne rl5It as II lIue ana
| loyal knight!'' Her lips curved into a smile,
but her eyes were sweetly serious.
First pressing his mouth against a fold of
her soft dress, he arose and stood looking down
| into her hower-faee
| Thanks, my liege-lady, And, forevermore.
| every throb of my heart that is not my coun-
| try's shall be yours. You know / join Her.
| bert's company tomorrow, and it may be many
months before / can see you again. viii you
not give me the sweetest of promises to take
with me for light and gladness until L return,
that you will be minei If l come back with u
brave record when We have won?"
She stood quite quiet for little space that
| seemed an eternity to the youth whose quick
| heartbeats shook his heavy frame. Her deep
! gaze rested on tranquil Massanutten, moon
! crowned.
ono, dear" she said at last. "Mother Is
| right. We are both too Young to bind our
! selves, too inexperienced even to know our
selves. MOI" with little impefious gesture,
as he would have spoken. Don't urge me
again" 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 win kiss you once be-
fore you go"
Nofairer June than that of 'Gi ever lavishly
/ scattered her crimson and amberroses through
out lovely Luray Valley Fair as that Same
! June, aud wearing TIE most fsalllesi OF tE,.Se
| roses-thb crimson 10 match her lips, ard tAe
amber her hair--Eesley Idodon walked In the
] shadow Of solemn Massanutten as the close of
| perfect day
/ The slim. handsome officer at her side, with
/ bis arm in q sling, does not wear the gray that
Lesley expressed such moderation FOR last June
| time Nor doesshe give him the frank Chances
| and kindly smiles that met faithful Thcos
brown eyes. And yet night be safer II she did.
mo, Captain Elmer" she was saying, you
/ do yourself injustice and me no honor IN urg-
! ing such suit. Speak Of ii no more, and We
| may part friends tomorrow
Lesley, you shall not escape my love. You
shall not crush my heart yes and mar your
! own life-simply because, by an unfortunate
| incongruity, tho proudest Virginian blood COWS
| through your veins, while my pretty mother
| trusts KnickerboclSer descent. IT s absurd to
| let such things separate us. What though to-
| day L wear the blue and you worship the gray
! That docs not alter the fact that we two were
destined for each other from the beginning Of
| the world Our wisest men declare that this
| lratricidM war cannot last another year 1t
must end-aud end 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 triumphed."
| 81 shall care forever She passionately cried,
| "and we two must DO forever apart! Leave
| me now"
Twill not, Lesley, unless you declare that
| you do not love me-"
81 detest the uniform you wearl"
"But you love mel"
81 loathe the government you obeyl"
but you love menu
81 hate your cruelty to mel"
The soft Nir9inian morn could not smile
| away tho 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-
| teBtod
| "Vanburgh. must you leave me SO soon?'
| she asked with sigh.
"l es," lac replied: ~ must 70 tomorrow. /
| shall bless always the southern bullet that al
most shattered my poor arm, but gave rue You,
soul Of my soul. But now even the protection
OF Linden Place might not save mo from being
! made prisoner soon. Besides, beg 10 insist
| that you and your mother leave the valley for
| few months, at least. trust that in the late
| autumn can come back 10 you"
A little tremor shook her form, but he drew
! her closer as she would have slipped from him.
"You mast not do that. Lesley. swear BIZ
| the immutability OF yonder grinl mountain that
neither prejudice, nor pride, nor defeat, nor
| victory, not any other thing shall separate nae
| from you, the one love OF my whole life!"
The nineteenth day Of October, 81, when
! the Virginian valleys wore the soft, hyacynth-
Inc glories Of late Indian summer, was q
| fateful day for thousands Of men there. Ex-
| actly one month before-and not many miles
! digtant--had been fought the battle Of the
| Apegnon--W inchester's disastrous day.
Captain Yanburgh Elmer, Of the Filth Uni
| ted States cavalry, under Brigadicr-G eneral
| Merritt, had cause to remember that 18Th Of
| September and the Apegnon with unpleasant
! yiyidncss. For as he pressed on tho rctreating
! conicderates that DAY young cayaryman,
| with cose-cus chestnut cufls and shining
! brown eyes, had turned, and taking steady
aim, had sent bullet through his shoulder,
| while Elmer's return shot had only gfazed the
| gray sleeve.
But tho wound had not been as severe AS the
! officer expected, and by the middle OF October
| he WAS able TO join his men again.
-Four mornings afterwards, In the midst OF
| darkness and fog, dawned tho 18th, when the
! union army awOke to hear Kershaw firing
! Thobufn captured guns. The reeking drama
OF Cedar Greek had begun. Slowly slowly,
| cold Ma elnuttan lifted his head through tie
| heavy mist 10 the southwest TO gaze dfearily
on a scene from which even Lucilera subiccts
must turn with siokening. What did lac SEQ
during that long day oi carnageY
Ile saw q thousand souls sent precipitately
| before their maker who must needs DO stern
10 them, encflmsonod as they were with BROTH
| ors' blood. tig laW moro than four thousand