Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-03-21
ROMANCE OF THE WAR.

The hero of Mr.. Parkins' story,
lawrence Bryant, was a civil engineer
n the south at the beginning Of the
sbellion. He had been there about
i've years, and had made many
riends; he liked the country and its
eople, and did not wish to leave it,
IN fact, was determined not TO leave it
mless he took with him Mss Laura
aeyton, TO whom he was engaged TO
. married. But he was a northern
nan-a Union man-and hat fact
vas certain, as he knew, 10 make his
ituation very unpleasant. His asso-
late engineer, Tom Baxter, who was
lso FROM the north, said TO him:
This movement means war-misera-
de, horrible, bloody civil war-and
aou've got to take your choice, our
ade or the other; if you remain here
tmust be the other" Bryant replied
hat he should stay, all the same-for
what reason his friend we'll under
TODD. Il wish you good luck, my
,oy," Baxter rejoined ''but she is a
Southern girl and lou a northern
nan-God help youi'
Miss Laura's father, Judge Peyton,
doubted the wisdom of secession, but
when il was once decided upon he
ave it his hearty support His resi-
hence was near Columbia, S. G. As
he days passed he saw regiment after
regiment march by, en- route to
Charleston. His SON Arthur enlisted,
rs did most Of the other young men
Of the vicinity; and his house rang
with Confederate songs. Under such
circumstances, a sense of duty con
strained him to refuse his consent TO
The marriage of his daughter and Law
ence Bryant He said TO Bryant:
You have my highest personal es-
eem, but until the political horizon
becomes clear, l wish you to forget
entirely that Laura has given you rea-
son 10 hope for her hand" At Laura's
instance he finally agreed to let the
engagement stand, but insisted that it
must not be announced, and that the
marriage must not take place so long
- the pending,troubles lasted. 1T will
be all right in a month";" Laura glee-
fully declared to her lover, and he,
made foolish by love, believed her
words.
The next month made things worse
instead of better, however. II was
evident that the struggle was going to
be q hard and prolonged one. Bryant
WIS offered a place upon the staff OF
Gen. Beauregard, which he promptly
declined. This was noted by the local
papers and commented upon in no
~iattering terms. Even Laura re-
marked, with a sigh: "What a pity,
Lawrence, that you are not me Of us
one who loves the south" "As much
a ! love one of its maidens," he re-
piled, laughingly; but the laugh was
forced and hollow. He knew that the
time was near at hand when he must
take some definite action. The Con-
fsderate government had decreed that
al persons remaining under its pro-
tsction after the LIST day of July, 1861,
shOuld DO regarded al its subjects and
mt be permitted TO leave its borders
without official permission-and that
dry would soon arrive. After a night
pent in warning between love of
county and love of Laura Peyton, he
decided TO return to the north-taking
her with him as his wife, if possible.
When he made known this purpose TO
her, she not only declined TO go with
him, but forbade him 10 go alone il he
expected her To believe in his love.
Thus il happened that Bryant tarried
IN South Carolina until the lst Of
July had passed, and became subject
10 military laws as a citizen of the
Confectionery. He was again offered O
staff appointment and again refused
4; but no action was taken TO force
him into the service, probably because
his experience as a railroad engineer
was Of great value Just at that time.
TIE Confederacy drifted along ortwo
years. Then Arthur Peyton came
home with an empty sleeve, c
panied by Maj. Harry Walton, a rival
of Bryant's for the hand of Laura.
Miss Belle, Laura's sister, said 10
Bryant with flashing eyes;
at was your friends who did this 70
my brother. How can you expect me
ever to endure your sight againY'
Laura apologized for her sister as
well as she could, but it was plain that
she, too, was inclined 10 hold Bryant
responsible for her brothers misfor.
tune.
''Think, dear Laura" he said, Tin
what o cruel position l am placed"
And she answered;
81 will try 10 remember-if | can"
In the course of the next two
months Arthur recovered sufficiently
10 lounge on the veranda, but his
Empty sleeve was q constant reminder
70 his sisters of what he had lost, and
ssfimulus 10 their hatred Of the north,
which fell upon Bryant as its nearest
representative. He was no longer re-
cedved with cordiality, aud Laura
9smed 10 grow colder and colder 10
him, and 10 show moro and moro re-
gnrd for MAJ. Walton. A crisis was
9pprpaching manifestly. II came the
~ Maj Walton left for the front
s0nin. His parting with Laura was
q . lind that made Bryant decidedly
tBalous. A quarrel ensued, in which
Laura said: "You have made me at
1nst remember, Mr.. Bryant, what my
love for you made me forget-that /
- N soufInxU UixI Gcd lrour. h.x~