Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-12-06

| On breezy evening in December
| 177S, a young officer in undress uniform
was making his way on foot along a
rather obscure highway leading into the
little town which is now the beautiful
city of Savannah, Ga His heavy sword
dangling at his side, appeared to be in
his way, for an observer might have
noted, though the moonlight was dim
that he clasped it by the scabbard now
and again and bore it in his hand as if
to relieve his leg of the embarrassment
and perhaps the pain of its chahng
He was above the medium in stature,
well formed. quick and springy in his
movements, evidently an alert, ready
and efficient soldier If the light had
been sufficient you could have seen that
his face was thoughtful, earnest, seri-
ous but at the same time expressive Of
a deep and almost overfiowing happi-
ness. 1t was meet that be should be
happy. for Rose Fenwicke. the loveliest
girl in Savannah. had promised to marry
him
The Fenwicle family was rich and
honorable one, connected with one of the
Oldest and proudest lines Of English no.
bility. Pryor Fenwicke, Roses father.
! was. moreover. a stanch loyalist and a
bitter enemy to American independence.
Not so Rose. From the first she had
favored the colonies and had been out
spoken in her devotion to the rebel cause.
Mr.. Fenwicke was lame man. and ow
ing to this and to his kindly and benev-
olent disposition he was not disturbed
while the American forces occupied Ssl-
vannah. Still he was looked upon askance,
and treated as person who might be
tolerated and yet detested. His wife.
however, steered in very wise course.
declaring that she was but a woman,
knowing nothing Of state affairs and
that she loved her friends. be they En-
glish or American, French or what not.
Rose. as the only child, may have been a
trife spoiled by over-indulgence, but she
was as good and true as a girl could be,
and beautiful besides.
OF course the young man was think
ing of Rose rs he stepped lightly along
in the dim moonlight; in fact he was on
his way TO see her He had just been
EtiiCNtN sll tA4 II ttN Ot4-1Ni VI
detach of American troops sta
toned as an outpost picket on the river
below the city. He would be off duty
for two days and why should he not
spend the precious time where he could
see his betrothed as often az possibley
The engagemsnt was as yet a clandestine
one. 40 far as Mr.. Fenwicke was con-
rarpaI nrl Ittyl.tnp 1rao1
in the hearts of the young people touch
ing the outcome Of their precious plans
for future happiness Furthermore the
terrible condition of affairs and the
doubtful result of the dreadful war, now
at its darkest hour. rendered the con
summation of their hopes at best thing
obscured by the clouds of very threat
ening future. Still they were happy
Love sang its ravishing songs for them.
and loves glamor so dimmed and de-
lighted their eyes that they could not
realize the danger that impended so
long as Wayne Prescott that was our
young lieutenant's name) could see Rose
and be near her the whole world was
bright for him. and as for Rose she was
happy whenever he was
1t was the good. true, old fashioned
sort of love that had hold of them-love
that brims the heart with tender truth
fulness and simple dreams of happiness,
while it shuts out every sordid or selfish
consideration. Rose was rich and Wayne
Prescott was very poor; but what had
either riches or poverty to do with his
wooing or with her modest JOY in listen
ing to his warm yet manly and respect
full suit2 They had plighted their love
without fear. without hesitation, trust
ing each other and relying implicitly on
the future to bring them to the day OF
their bliss The days that tried mems
souls" were days Of high courage of
manly purity and of womanly steadfast-
ness and single heartedness Ii is not
peace. with its ease and luxury. its re-
inements of social forms and its myriad
avenues of petty intrigue. tnat engen-
ders the noblest life. War is dreadful
but it is great disinfectant. IL sep
arates the evil from the good. and gives
the grace of outright simplicity to the