The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-02-28

e.
Rose came to open the door.
On breezy evening in December
1878. q young officer in undress uniform
was making his way on foot along &
rather obscure highway leading into thu
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 az il
to relieve his leg Of the embarrassment,
and perhaps the pain Of its chatting.
He was above the medium in stature,
well formed, quick and springy in his
movements, evidently IN alert, ready
and efficient soldier. If tho light had
been sufficient you could have seen that
his face was thoughtful, earnest, seri.
ous, but at the sayuo time expressive of
deep and almost OVERLOOKING happi-
ness. It was meet that he should be
happy. for Rose Fenwicke, the loveliest
girl in Savannah, had promised to marry
him.
The Fenwicke family was rich and
honorable ore, connected with ono 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.
MI. Tenwicke w.s a lame man, and ow-
ing to this and to his kindly and benev-
olent disposition he was not disturbed
while the American forces occupied Sa-
vannah. Still he was looked upon askance,
and treated as person who might DO
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-
giish or American. French or what not.
Rose, as the only child, may have been a
tribe spoiled by over-indulgence, but she
was as good and true as girl could be.
and beautiful besides.
VI course tho young man was think
ing OF Rose as he stepped lightly along
IN the dim moonlight; in fact he was on
his way to SEQ her. He had just been
relieved in turn as officer in command of
q detachment Of American troops sta
fioned as an outpost picket on the river
below the city. He would BIO off duty
Tor two days, and why should he not
spend the precious time where he could
see his betrothed as often AZ possiblep
The engagement was as yet a clandestine
one. 60 far as Mr.. Fenwicke was con-
ceaned. ana there was lurking dread
IN the hearts Of the young people touch
ing tho outcome Of their precious plans
Tor future happiness. Furthermore, tho
terrible condition Of affairs and tho
doubtful result of the dreadful war. now
at its darkest hour. rendered the con-
summation Of their hopes at best a thing
obscured by tho clouds of u very threat
ening future. Still they werc happy.
Love sang its ravishing songs for them.
and loves glamor SO dimmed and de.
nghted their eyes that they could not
rcahze the danger that impended. So
long as Wayne Prescott that was our
Young lieutenant's namc) could see Rose
ana be near her the whole world was
bright for him, and as for Rose she was
happy whenever lie was.
1t was the good. true, old fashioned
sort OF love that had hold of them-loye
that brims the heart with tender truth
fitness and simple dreams of happiness,
while 1t shuts out every sordid or selfish
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
ng to his warm yet manly and respect
nj suit! They had plighted their lovo
without fear, without hesitation, trust.
ng each other and relying implicitly on
he future to bring them to the day of
heir bliss. The ''days that tried mems
ouls" were days of high courage, of
manly purity and Of womanly steadfast-
less and single heartedness. It is not
'eace. with its ease and luxury, its re-
Of social forms and its myriad
venues of petty intrigue, that engen.
ers the noblest life. War is dreadful,
Mt it is great disinfectant. It sep
rates the evil from the good, and gives
10 grace Of outright simplicity to the
'und human heart, just as it accentu-
ties and projects the darkest and most