Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-06-12

Can people fall in love with each
other through the medium of letters
alonep What is that process through
which we have most OF us gone-some
OF us, despite the poets and novelists,
many timesP Is it not in all cases the
ideal conception which we have, rather
than the person to whom we at
tribute it Two elements always
enter into this ideal. The one is
the physical perfectness Of the be-
loved object. Beauty OF form or feature,
grace in action, manly strength-these
are what we see. But so blind are we,
that any thing short of monstrosity
may, under some circumstances,
strangely dclude US. Certain mental
and moral qualities must also always
seem to be present, and here the
chances are that truer conception
may be gained by correspondence than
by personal interviews. In any case,
the conception is likely to be wrong.
The physical ideal might, of course, be
so grossly absurd that it would utterly
and instantly disappear upon acquaint-
ance. The other may also disappear,
but much more slowly, fading gradual
ly through long years.
So, while neither had intended it,
and us yet were unaware of it, they
had entered upon a state when only u
touch is needed to change their warm
personal interest into the deepest and
ten0erest passion. Thus few weeks
passed, and Raymond was permitted to
join his regiment
But while he had only sought to
tighten the WEAKNESS of hospital life III
the beginning, he now found these let
tiers none the less adapted to the
Frightening OF camp life, and they
were still continued. But, us his regi-
mcnt was often on the move and the
mails were uncertain, they were
less frequent and regular. With
the battle of Chiciamauga they
came to an abrupt end. Lilies
letters were returned, with the sad in
telligence that Raymond was killed in
battle. II she had heretofore deceived
herself with regard to her interest in
this soldier whom she had never seen,
she did so now no longer. 1t was in
the spirit of widowhood that she
mourned her dead hero and king of
men. Foolish it may have been, and
unreasonable, but when has love rea-
sonedp Nor was this loss alone. Peace
has its vicissitudes and its tragedies,
as we'll as war. Her father sickened
and died. The mother had gone years
before. Overwhelmed with her sor-
row, Lille went to live with an aunt,
in neighboring State Her father had
once been we'll .to-do, but had lost his
property, and there was but little left.
Until the estate was settled that little
was not available. She did not want
TO feel dependent on her relatives, and
so engaged in teaching in the village.
She often thought of offering herself
as nurse, but now she felt quite I'M
equal to the work. With good con-
stitution, a lively disposition, and in
perfect health when troubles came upon
her, she now grew listless, thoughtful
and sad. Thus had the gold become
dim.
Raymond was not killed. A shell had
burst near his head, and the tremen-
dous conclusion had felled him TO the
earth, where he lay long time un-
conscious. None of the fragments of
the shell had touched him. When he
finally recovered his senses so far as
TO sit up, he looked around, bewil-
dered. He only partially recalled
what had occurred. The battle had
ebbed away, but the thunder ragged
and roared in the distance. A blind
instinct led him to try to regain his
regiment He stood up dizzily at last,
and with his muslxet for support
started in the direction of the firing.
He had no idea OF his bearings, and
did not Enom that HE ,oori o,J