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

4 Ill health, ne cOUiu hcarceiy icuhih hSA>
declaring his love for her and knowing
his fate. But several reasons kept him
from pursuing such course.
His pride prevented him from asking
her 10 marry him for fear she should
think him q fortune-hunter. And then
he did not believe Mr.. Lyndon would
ever consent to his marrying Eleanor ii
she loved him. And last but by no
means least, he did not think that Eleanor
loved him. But she did love him. Inc
first warm, passionate love Of her young
heart had been given him, and she grew
10 watch for his homecoming IN tne
evening, to listen for the sound oil the
musical voice. or the firm tread on Inc
stair. when he came in late at night
and regard them as almost essential 10
her existence. But Conyers, who was
SO uttorly void OF all that conceit that
| characterizes so many men, could not
see all this. How blind indeed 10 love !!
Four years have rolled by, and it is
now the year previous to the ono IN
which the civil war began. The dlssen-
sjons that eliminated IN that great strug-
ole are now being discussed the whole
length and breadth OF the country: Inc
circle at Roselands was no exception 70
the general rule. Slavery, secession
States rights, and other topics oil tre
time were discussed. Conyers soon
found that tho Lyndons we're all strong
Uniouists. Eleanor being if possible a
little more intense in her loyalty than
her father. Conyers was as strong IN
his snpport of O southerners side OF the
question, and many and long were the
arguments which the three used to nave
in Che library. where the evenings were
usually spent. These generally terml-
mated by Mr.. Lyndon, or Eleanor, or
both. expressing the hope that Conyers
would some day change his opinions
hope which, knowing him as they dld,
they felt would never be realized.
One evening in October when he was
returning from his rounds among his pa
tients he met little negro at the foot OF
the drive that Jed up to the Lyndon
mansion, and feeling tired of riding,
had. much TO the youngsters delight,
permitted him TO ride his horse around
TO the stables while he walked slowly
toward the house.
An endemic had prevailed in the
neighborhood for several months and
was greatly increasing his practice and
adding to his reputation as a physician,
but he was now almost broken down by
his increased labors.
When he had gone a short distance
ND the avenue he paused to rest and
take in the beauties of the scene around
him.
The frost had killed the leaves on the
tall naples and poplars, and they fell
with q low, rustling sound IN crimson
and golden showers all around him,
covering the grayelled walks and green
grass. and clinging to various portions
of his person. The old mansion seemed
TO look at him sternly and haughtlly as
il reared its many chimneys upward, and
TO flash him fiery glances from lis lnnu-
merable windows, which so brilliantly
reflected the suns last rays.
At his feet the willow-fringed river,
on which waterfowl we're sporting,
shimmered and sheened i'll tho suns last
ravs like molten gold. Further away
over the river the green hills were tipped
with the golden haze Of sunset, and the
music of the bells of many tocks and
herds was in the mir.
While Conyers was leaning against a
large maple rather pensiyely regarding
his surroundings he felt light touch on
his arm, and turning saw Eleanor Al
wavs beautiful, she had never looked
more surprisingly lovely than now. The
red lips were parted with a smile and
there was an expression IN the violet
eyes which though not uncommon to
them he, with strange blindness, had
never before noticed. and which now
caused his heart 70 thrOb violently and
the blood to course madly through his
veins. Her dress was Of some soft
brown material, and she wore crimson
shawl about her shoulders. Her hair
coiled high on the little head shone and
glistened in the sun like FURNISHED gold.
"Whv, Eleanor" said Conyers, " /
am surprised and glad TO see YOU"
81 knew you would be surprised and
hoped you would he glad, she said,
laughing.
"You knew l would be both, he said
tenderly.
They then fell to discussing the
beauty of their surroundings, and at
last Conyers proposed to stroll IN the
grove. 10 which Eleanor consented.
As it often did, the conversation
turned upon politics, which were then
at fever heat owing to the presidential
campaign. In the course Of the CONVEX
satiOn Robert expressed the belief that
war would be the outcome OF so much
dissension. But his companion disa-
greed with him on this point. She did
not believe that country that was sc
closely united as was ours could
ever become so far divided as to engage
in a war, where hatred and malice were
ruling passions.
"Do you really think that war may be
the result ?" she asked her companion.
Eyes" he said, "if Lincoln is elected
the southern States will secede and wal
will thus be made certain. War IN ltf
worst form, too-ciyil war, fratricidal
war-a war OF brothers. There are several
courses which, if followed, may avert
bloodshed, and he then proceeded to
, enumerate them. They were familiar &c
almost every one then, but which since
the war have Seen almost forgotten 10y
, those then living, and We OF younger
generation regarding them as "might
have beens do dot care to learn them.
"But you know. Eleanor" he con
, tinued, THAT | am firm believer in the
: right of secession, and should Virgins
ever secede from the Union and war fol
low l should feel in honor bound to ottel
!, my sword for her defence"
"Why, Robert, You surely do no
I. mean that you would fight against the
, Union. do you ?"
= eyes" he said in low voice, "tha
c is just what | mean"
"Why, that would be treason, anC
! you would be a traitor, she said in
q Mortified voice.
. "Call it what you will, he said. {"
2 will battle for the right for the right
4 sake, and for the sake of being right
= could endure being called traitor evel
( by you, Eleanor, although It would in
deed be hard