Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-05

Eleanor had been listening as one IN
a dream. II was 80 sudden tnas sue
could not at once compreneno ID
slowly her mind began TO gather IN the
facta He was going to. the army, ne
might perhaps be killed, and he would
never know how dearly she loved MN.
Now, that be was really going away, sne
felt that if she could only persuade nun
10 STAY she would acknowledge her love
for him, no matter what his sentiment, -
we're. Yes she would kiss him. ana zen
him OF her love, and force him by the
very strength OF her will and her love
to stay. -
She said not word, but advanced q
step and held up the sweet face.
When he bowed his head and rev.
erently touched his lips to hers PAIR OF
soft white arms were entwined ABOUT MS
neck, and sweet voice said IN his ear,
Don't 20 Robert. Stay and make US
all happy. II do love you. -,
"Then you do love me? ne sara,
taking her in his arms and pressing her
10. his bosom. while he kissed the sweet
face again and again. "Oh, Eleanor;
how have longed for this hour-ionged
for the time when / could take you IN
my arms and call you mine, and no man
dare forbid me. My happiness IS so
great that | can hardly trust nay own
senses. Never in my widest dreams
did l conjure up such a moment oil per-
feet bliss.
"Ro6ert, Won will not 90 to the army,
will you? If you love me as you say
you do surely you will stay.
"For Gods sake. don't tempt me,
Eleanor he said in a hoarse voice;
81 believe it to be my duty to 60, and
don't make it harder for me to do my
duty than it is alresdy."
But with all the earnestness OF her ma
ture she tried to dissuade him from his
purpose. With the soft arms about his
neck, the fragrant breath tanning his
cheek. and the sweet, coaxing, pleading
voice in his ear surely man was never
more tempted. To say that he did not
falter would be untrue. When he
thought OF the great happiness that
might be his if he remained, life spent
with the one woman Of all women for
him, he hesitated. But only for a mo-
ment. He would not purchase happl-
ness at the expense Of honor. When he
again spoke it was i'll voice almost stern
in its firmness.
"Eleanor, believe il to be my duty
to 90, and / will do what believe to be
my duty though the heavens fall. LEI
us prolong this interview 10 longer, bit
ter-sweet as it is. 1t is growing very
late, and | must be riding. But, darling,
have you nothing that you will give me
for keepsake till we meet again ?
"No, " she said in a sad voice, for she
saw how vain was all ner pleading. 81
have nothing here. Yes, here is locket
that Chatham gave me long ago, which
contains his picture and mine. II you
wish, you may have mine"
She unclasped the iewelled baublt
from about her neck, and he pried ou'
the picture with the point OF his knife
and placed it in his pocket book.
"And now, dazzling, good-by," he
said, taking Der in his arms again snc
drawing her to HIM in o tight embrace
and kissing her again and again. "heeI
up brave heart, and when the hurley
burley's done we may meet again.
"Good-by, Robert, good-by, " sh'
said, her voice choked by her sorrow
Inlay God keep aud guard you anC
bring you back safely to me.
"To you," he said dreamily, "to you
Amen" And with long, long kiss o
farewell, he released her from his clos
embrace and turned and left her
When he reached his horse he looked
back and saw a white-robed tigur
kneeling on the dew-wet grass will
hands clasped and face upturned t
Heaven as if prsying-for him, he fel
sure. For several moments he REGARDED
her, tempted to 60 back to her, per
haps, and then turned and mounting b
horse galloped away without lookinl
back, for he wished TO remember her a
he had lest seen her, praying for him.
When Eleanor arose from her knee
he was gone. She saw that he had for
gotten his riding and the sight o
it made the tears flow afresh, for sh
thought how widely was she and II
wearer separated.
Sadly wrapping it about her she re
turned TO the house and went to he
room. where she threw herself on he
knees by her bedside and ferventl
PRAYED the God of soldiers to shield an
protect her absent love.
LTo BE CONCLUDED NEXT SUNDAY