Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-01
FRIENDLY FOES.
A ROMANCE OF THE WAR.
lwrItien for the Dispatch
NJ WALTER EDWARD uAnRn.
CHAPTER ~.

By some such days are remembered
only rs a preface TO their book Of happi-
ness. 80 shadow of gosd things 20
come" n foreiasto Of that Edon--a life
spent with ones choice from oil the
world.
To others, alas they ore only as bits
OF blue in clouded sky. green oasis
in life's sandy desert, always sad re-
mindcrs of what "might have been.
BIT be the recollection sweet or cad, it
vill always live while Reason roigns.
"when IN ODlvion's volcclcss tomb
Lose ric,. memorial JOYS decay,
This master bliss rctaias ia bloom,
II no'er can lose lie sway
Sutherlyn's recovery was rapid-too
rapid he told himself, for he knew that
he would soon be removed 10 quarters
by far more unpleasant.
One morning he and Helen were scat
ed on the veranda indulging in one OF
those low..oned conversations 80 dear TO
lovers. 50 tedious and stupid to every
one else, when DR.. Worthington passed
ont on his way 10 the barn, where Few
wounded men still remained.
"Well, Sutherlyn,' he said, IN his
rruif voice but with a humorous twinkle
In his eyes, 81 think we will have to
change your quarters tomorrow, and l
hardly think they will be more agreeable
than those you have had for the past few
weeks" and he glanced OF Helen, who
blushcd violently.
81 don't pretend to deny being sorry
ut the idea OF moving" said sutherlyn,
pretending not to notice the latter por-
ton of the old Surgeons remark. and
trying TO speak in a locular manner,
"for you have oil been kindness itself to
me-"
"No one worthy Of special mention ?"
asked DR.. Worthington, with another
glance at Helen, and moving off down
the steps.
Comparisons are odious, said Suth-
crlyn, "but when | see Mr. Davis shall
recommend your promotion. "
"You will hardly have en- opportu-
nifty of doing me this favor, l fancy,
said tho Surgeon dryly.
Where am l to be moved to. Doc
tor ?" asked Sutherlyn.
"Hotel dc Libby" he said senten-
tiously, looking back over his shoulder
and smiling maliciOusly.
"Well. there is an end to all things, "
said Sutherlyn to Helen, land / SUP
pose i could not expect these days TO
last always, but no amount OF philoso-
ply can make my parting from you any
the easier for me or make me view with
any more pleasure the prospect of spend
ing "a year or two IN "a military prison,
but it il the fortune of war, and a sol
%iier should not complain
"But YOU will safer in prison than in
the army" said Helen tenderly, half
shyly.
"How pleasant it is to feel that you
think of my safety, he said in a low tone.
al will hardly be- safer though in prison
than on tine battlefield. The disease
and starvation Of the one are about as
perilous to the soldier as the bullet and
shell of tho other. Not that / mean to
reflect on the Confederate Government,
for am afraid southern prisoners Go not
fare much better in northern prisons, ="
he added for fear of wounding her feel
1ngs.
"And you know orr Government
wanted to exchange prisoners, but yours
would not consent to their proposition,
SAID Helen, still loyal. "And tho North
is so much moro able TO provide for her
prisoners than we are for ours that
there is no excuse for her starving,
and"
"Stop, little fre-eater," he said, play
fully laying bis fingers acrosss her lips.
"Dont let's quarrel on my last day
here. especially over such little matters
as State sovereignty and the right of
secession when we have other subjects
of SO much greater importance 20 dis
cuss, each other for instance
"Well ! will not pursue the matter
further, sir, since the truth seems to
hurt you so much" she said by way OF a
parting shot. The conversation changed,
and Helen WIS soon called away to at
tend TO some household duty, while
Sutherlyn remained on the veranda with
@ newspaper, but really engaged more
with his own thoughts than with those
OF others.
lie did not again sec Helen till at din
ner. AS she was leaving the dining-room
she managed to whisper to him TO 90 into
the library.
He did so, wondering little why she
wished it He had not been long wait
ing when Helen entered, her face flushed
and her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Iou are dying of curiosity, / know,
she said. coming TO where he was stand
ing by the window.
"Guity as indicted, he said, handing
her a chair, which she did not notice.
Al will not keep you in suspense" sho
said, lowering her voice 10 almost WINS
per "you seem to have such a dislike
for our prisons that | have decided to
send you back to the army"
"What in the world do You mean
he asked, mystihed 10y her words and
manner
GAS usual, mean what l say" she
Baid, still dallying most provokingly.
{" will send you back to the army and
enable you 10 again assist in the rather
difficult task OF conquerng us.
"Helen what do you mean ?" said
Sutherlyn. Are you serious? If you
are not, il Is cruel Of you to torture me
by raising hopes which l may never sec
realized"
"But | am serious" she said earnest
~, and still talking in an uadertone she
unfolded her plan to hun, the details OF
which will appear further on.
Sutherlyn at first refused to agreo to
IL but after much coaxing and persua
sion from Helen he at last yielded,
though under protest, but the plan SEEM
ed feasible, and liberty was sweet.
"Good-by." che said, when tho inter
view had lasted perhaps half honr.
4" II We talk longer we may excite suspi
Dion and have all our plans frustrated.
After all you may fail in Your part, and
j may never SEQ you again, and there
was a piteous treInOr in the sweet voice.
"No, DO, dearest Helen. such love
rs yours must have its reward. and we
will succeed. Good.by," he said. hold
ING fast the little hand and touching his
lips TO hers. In Is moment she was gone
~ begin the execution Of her plans.
She went to Mrs Mc(iayock, who was
taking her sicstQ in her room. She was