Passaic City record., 1891-09-12
She checked his raptures with simple

1T is true that found you at the hos
pital, sorely wounded, and had you
brought here, where you could receive
better care. You have escaped death; /
am glad. This has been house OF
mourning ever since you last entered it.
The dreadful war has dealt hardly With
me. My mother is dead. both brothers
fell in battle, my father lies now at the
point of death, from the horrors aud
hardships of the siege. You have suf-
fered, too. would it had been in bet
own sorrows and the agonies have daily
seen have humbled my pride. There was
none other to do for you, an enemy, what
did; therefore I have done it.
Say not an enemy" he cried. We
must not, cannot be enemies.
A burst of music from the hill above
came family down to them; his pulse
qulcKened as ne recognfzed the tuDe,
Rally Round the Flag"
DO you know what that means? Vicks-
burg, worn out with starvation, has cap
itulated; your people are marching in.
Go and join them. We shall never meet
again."
He rose and stretched out his hands to
her. His heart was too full for speech.
You do not mean it," he whispered.
1T is as I say. What bond, even OF
friendship, is possible between US? There
was a time when I would have given yos
everything; when my heart went out
fondly TO you, and yearned for your COM
panionship and protection through this
struggle, through life itself. l called to
you; others sought me, but my soul de-
manded you. That call you sighted; you
fled from me and joined the enemies OF
my country"
Il joined the friends of my country
the defenders of the old Union and the
old fag" said Smedley, proudly. Never
shall 1 apologize for that, to man or
woman. You knew my opinions; you
must have understood that l dared not
expose them to be overcome by your
destinations. What safety was there for
me? 1t was you who compelled me to go,
and I have taken the only part that was
possible for me-"
His voice was feeble, but firm. His
words aroused her; he saw her struggling
to repress her feelings. He went on.
"Yet we are not enemies. Not day,
not an hour of my absence but I have
thought of you or dreamed of you. l
have prayed for this hour, when | could
tell you all"
@Tell it not!" she cried. There is
We are separated wider than if the poles
divided us. A moment ago I said would
not judge you; now you compel me to.
Think what you have done You, Mis-
sissippi-bo with pride of lineage and
high achievements behind you, to consort
with the foes of the South, to overrun
her fair territory, to occupy her cities, to
bring armed havoc and destruction upon
herl At the very fhreshhoi1 OF your
former home you are struck down, sword
in hand. Out of the recollection of hap
pier days, have given you life, but can
give you naught else. There is blood
between us; the blood of my kindred.
Farewell, then, 60 in peace; look around
ON the misery you have helped to make,
but never again come to Isabel Montford
with words of love. follow the fortunes
of my cause; will survive or perish with
it. Again, farewell; you will see me no
more"
The cruel words sent chill to his
heart. He started toward her with clasped
hands.
"Oh, Isabel--do not say it! If you
IT know all you would say. I have de-
cided."
And is this all''
Without another word, without a touch
of the hand. she left him. What fol.
lowed seemed as part of a vision. He
thought the old negress brought him a
stick to lean upon, and mumbled some
thing about Missy awful rebel, now I
tells yo'." He found himself upon the
street, moving slowly in q dazed way.
There were few people abroad; the city
rested in the hot sunshine in kind of
sullen silence. Over several roofs he
saw the stars and stripes flying; and
now, to the music OF THE Year of Jubi-
lee." column in blue marched with
springing step past him. Familiar vivas
greeted him from the ranks. hands were
waved to him. and soon. as the column
went on, his mountain soldiers hailed
him with cries of rejoicing. No, it was
not dream. Vicksburg had fallen,
Port Hudson would follow, the river was
freed = the Confederacy severed; but
Charles Smedley scarcely realized the
triumph in the bitterness of his own
defeat.
fro BE CONTINUED