Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-08-29


victions and my country"
Well, dear me! wish we had never
come South at all, and wish that |
had never seen you, Rolhn Richie!'
There, Grace, don't cryl. 1t can do
no good, now. You are determined
to annul our engagement because lam
a rebel, as your father terms me. |
may be a rebel in his eyes, but not in
my own. Heand your brother are hur-
rying north to array themselves
against section whose hospitality
they have long enjoyed. l am stay
ing here to defend my home, my moth
er, my property, and my country. If
you could only love me little, Grace,
in spite OF this unhappy difference in
convictions, | could endure everything
else and wait patiently until the strug-
lie is ended and we are once again
united
Looking up through her tears into
his face, Grace GRAVITY forgot all but
that she did love him better than all
else in life.
Il will be faithful, Rollin, +" she said,
all sign OF her former passion subsid-
ing.
Thus Rollin Richie and Grace Grant
" renewed their broken troth, and
spent the few remaining days of their
stay together in hopeful anticipation
of their future.
lido not really think this unpleas-
antness will amount to anything seri-
Gus, Rollin said. and Grace believed
it. she was the daughter OF north
ern clergyman, and together they had
been boarding in the South for year
past on account OF the latter's failing
health. Here, in this lovely country,
she met and had learned to love Roll
lin Richie, a wealthy young planter.
Theyoung man, with his mother. was
strongl " i'll sympathy with the South,
while the Grantlys naturally made
preparations at once to return to more
politically-congenial surroundings.
In her first surprise and indignation
at her lovers avowed intention to
fight against the old flag, Grace had
annulled their engagement: but Rolin
had been very gentle with her. aud
now at the last she found her affection
for him rising superior to MI other
emotions. The iinaIparting was very
bitter; bitter for her because, iii all the
eighteen years Of her lie. she had
never known wish ungatitietl; bitter
for him because dimly heforesaw that
turbulent times would vet be known
before peace was restored; bitter for
both, because the chances OF their ever
meeting again were few.
Their last drive was over the vast
plantation that had beeninthe Richie
family for generations. There were
marks OF thrift and Improvement
everywhere, not comnonin the South
at this time: even the negro quarters
were in good condition and the slaves
seemed contented and happy.
When next you see this place, Grace.
1t may be laid waste. and the dear
old home there, where have dreamed
OF seeing you mistress, burned to
ashes" he sadly commented; and
then she had gone into tine house to |
bid his mother and cousin farewell.
They were very gracious to her and |
she could scarcely realize that soon |
her brother and lover would face each |
other in deadly combat.
Mona Gleason, the cousin, watched F.
the young couple ont OF sight, then re-
marked that Grace was nice little /
thing, but not fit choice for Rollin. \
III she pleases my boy, size peases
me, responded the fond mother. \
Mona gave a suggestive shru.. and \
changed the subject She was wholly /
dlsslmilar to Grace. The latter was /
petite, blonde, with pretty, childIike
ways; Mona was tall and dark. with n
woman's carriage and repose, and the
Of her life had been to win
Rollin Richie, but mere child had
carried off the prize
How changed from K-.n Grace said
YEARLY, to her father on the first eve
ming OF their return home, after listen
ing to the excited talk Of their friends.
II guess | have grown a bit OF a reb.
81, she added, laughing little.
You broke your engagement with
Richie?' Mr.. GRAVITY asked suddenly.
"l-yes-that is, broke it, then
then renewed it again. Oh, papa"
and she flung herself in his arms TO
sob out her grief as she always had.
She had never known amother's SWIM
oathy.
OF course he tried to comfort her
and did not scold a bit. How could
ne? Nor could he blame Richie. In
Iced, he felt that if he had to decide
between Grace and his country, he
would take the former.
When Fred GRAVITY marched away,
ms sisters parting Injunction rang in
us ear: IF ever you meet Rollin
Richie, spare him for my sake"
"Confound i'll it isn't pleasant to be
obliged to turn every reb around and
itudy his phiz before you shoot or
'ayonet him, to see if he looks like
,our sisters lover; but I'd hate to hurt
1racie."
Fred had met Richie once and re-
nembered his face well. A year pass
d, a dreadful year to Oracle GRAVITY,
or while Others were spending their
on the Union cause, her
ceilings were divided and she could
~ mol ss,rt,,,, n . 4. =. |