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

preparations Tor war arc DeinB enelgcbi-
cally made on both sides.
Eleanor and her father both listened
for some expression of Roberts by
which they could form some idea OF bis
sentiments at the present time, but they
listened in vain. Even when the news OF
Virpinia's secession from the Union
reached them he did not show by word
or sign what was passing in his thoughts.
They both began to hope that he had
changed his opinions. But such was
not the case.
He was in Brandon when the news Of
tho secession Of his native State arrived,
and he could not for his life have told
whether her course made him glad or
sorry. He believed she had acted rightly,
and he felt that it was his duty to offer
his sword for her defence. But he knew
that if he pursued such course he must
giyeup all hope of ever winning Eleanor
Lyndon for his wife OF ever possessing
ANYTHING of this worlds happiness. But
after a terrible struggle between duty
and inclination, which caused more than
one sleeplees night, he resolved to wait
only 30 long as Maryland should remain
undecided, and when she should have
cast in her lot with the one or tho other
of the contending sides he would espouse
the cause Of his Old Virginia.
He therefore collected all his bills,
paid his debts, and arranged his business
in every way so that it could be left at
any time.
Eleanor's twenty-Grst birthday, the
1st OF NAV, was to be celebrated by a
grand ball. 1t was not her wish to OBJ
serve the day with so much ectdt, but
her father declared that 1t had long been
the custom OF the Lyndons to SO cele-
brate the arrival at majority Of one OF
the family, and that she should be no
exception to the rule.
can speak only passingly OF the
many sights and sounds that may have
been seen and heard about the premises
ut Roselands, as preparations for the bal.
went briskly on. cannot speak minute
w of the great loads Of evergreens that
were carried in 10y old McCalmont, the
old Scotch gardener and put up in
arches and wreaths in the drawing
dining-room, and hall, nor Of the
many appetizing odors that emanated
from the kitchen, where Aunt Sheba,
the old cook, was experimenting
the connection of the many dainty
viauds that were TO grace the table
on the night Of the ball /; nor OF
the many sore-headed. and sore-eared
little negroes, who having perhaps real
lied the truth of the aphOrism nothing
venture. nothing have, had for the sake
of so great prize as lump OF sugar OF
a bunch Of raisins which IN an I'M
guarded moment had been left accessi-
BILE to their pilfering paws dared to in
wade her realm, and then illustrated the
truth OF the prOyerb 1.-THE way Of the
transgressor is hard" as she sent them
Jumping and yelling through the door
| cannot dwell on any Of these, but must
leave them to the imagination OF the
reader who is acquainted with the man
ners and customs Of the old-time south
erners, white and black.
On the day before the ball came the
news of the action OF the Legislature Of
the State refusing to secede from the
Union. Mr.. Lyndon and Eleanor were
greatly rejoiced at this news. Conyer'
did not comment upon it in any way
but resolved to Join the southern army
in Virginia at once. He did not &c
away on the day OF the ball, because he
had given up his practice and had no
where TO 60. He refused to attend {
call that he received, but directed The
messenger to procure the services Of Dr
Pellet. a rival physician in Brandon
several miles away. When the boy de
sired to know why he would not go h'
replied that he had quit practicing-a al
announcement which when repeated a
home caused much idle speculation anC
gossip rs to the cause of his retiremen
from his profession.
When Eleanor asked why lie was stay
ing at home and had not answered Tia,
call he had received he replied that h
was honoring the day by suspension 0
business. But a troubled look in tn
eyes, even though they laughed, told he
that this answer Was at least evasive. Sh
would have liked to have questioned hin
further. but was rather afraid. The rels
tons between them had never been quit
the same since the conversation recorded
in the last chapter Neither had eve
referred TO it IN any way, nor ha'
Eleanor ever referred TO her effort t
comfort him when he had spoken TO he
so sharply. There was certain re
straint, not to say GOODNESS, IN Robert
manner, which WAS unusual with him.
The ball ! have neither space no
ability to describe, but must refer Tn,
reader to some OF our southern author
who have SO faithfully and beautiful,
portrayed these gay scenes OF " th
GOOD old times before the war" Whei
in the wee sma' hours ayont the twal
the gayeties of the evening had subsideC
and the last guest had departed, excep
those who were 10 remain several DAYS
old Homer, the butler, in mysteriou
whisper summoned Eleanor from th
drawing-room, and when they were alon
in the hall gave her a note from " Mars
Robert" With rather startled air eh
read
please meet me in the willow grow
as soon IS you can l have something t
tel you. ROBERT.
She hastily pencilled him a line say
ing she would come, and gave 1t to HC
mcr to deliver.
When all had retired she hsstene
with many misgivings towards the az
pointed trystiug place. As she DIRE
near tho grove she could see Conyers
tail form moving up and down anon
the willows.
81 am so glad You have come b
said, coming forward to meet her. g.
was very good of you. But why did 20
not wear a wrap" noticing that she W.
dressed in evening costume and Il
night was chilly. "Let me put th
around you. D." he said, taking upa heay
: riding-cioak and wrapping it tenderl
I about her shoulders.
"What Is the matter, Robert ? Al
. you going away noticing that h
horse Galen, wis hitched to tree whic
q grew by the roadside a short distanC
away.
D Yes" he said, % am going away.
"Nhy, you would not go away to-day
l why are you going now ?" she askeC
"What calls you away at this time of IL