The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-05-25

FSSAy W-SIHa streets sent broad
tszsSs44l--.,-.--=,-I shafts of yellow light
-,. -,.N&sNS@%86S@a through the still
murky air. A long
line of carriages stood in waiting, and from
time to time the opening door threw still wider
streams of light into the darkness as slowly
the guests departed from one of the seasons
closing festivities.
Standing by the open door of a smart
brougham was a young man in full evening
dress. He was talking earnestly to someone
within.
"Then you think he will come soon?" he
asked.
a am expecting a letter every day." replied
Alice Vandegrit. He may be detained by this
talk of war. Papa feels very respondent. he
thinks there is now very little prospect OF
peace"
Heaven forbid war!" said the young man.
"Yet, / can share your fathers anxiety. War
means - He stopped abruptly. Ruin to
your father and mine," he was about to add.
He changed his attitude slightly, and resumed,
carelessly. War means no lack of fortune to
Mr. Cleavance trust?"
% l do not know. His plantations are large.
l suppose, perhaps, there might be some loss
but" shade of anxiety clouding her face,
'oh, surely, Mr. Van Dyke, Northerners and
Southerners will never lift their hands against
each other?"
nope NOT, graVeiy.
Something in his voice sent chill to his
listeners heart. presentiment of sorrow
forced itself upon her.
IL must say good night, she said, family.
IL am tired IL think"
"Home," said Van Dyke closing the door.
Good night, Miss Vandegrit Do not borrow
trouble All may yet be amicably arranged"
Alice smiled as she gave him her hand, but
the shadow of coming trouble was still heavy
har NH ba nptarad bar oh au1bn
half hour later and deserted the long-expected
letter upon her dressing table She tore it open
quickly and began to read it, but almost i'm
mediately she stretched out her hand and
clutched the back OF chair. as if to save her.
self from falling. Her lips trembled and her
eyes filed with tears, but she read on steadily
to the end.
What" she moaned, dropping part of the
closely written sheets upon tho floor; he
thinks of the South first before me- lie will
stand by the South-he will-Oh, God he
will be killed-and-I-I shall never again see
him-never agaiu!"
She sat for long time sobbing and pressing
the letter to her lips. At last she rose and
opened her writing desk i can convince
him." she said II will tell him to sacrifice
ali rather than lift his hand against his
couutry's flag. He will listen to me-"
Several weeks later Alice sat by the open
window of her chamber. In her lap was a
prsyer-book, in her hands a ring. Her face
gave evidence of weary, seepless nights, and
her tears dropped fast as she turned the ring
around and around Near her, on q small
table, was a pile of letters, each tied with q
blue ribbon. She took one from the top bunch
presently, and slowly read it, " 1t is the last"
she said, the very last. l shall never see his
dear face again. never hear his voice. He will
be Oh, God, cannot bear 1t; cannot bear
lit"
Her sobs ceased after while, and she raised
her head with an air Of resolution, and taking
fine gold chain from her neck attached the
ring to it.
81 viii wear it there" she said, "while life
lasts. He said to keep ito be true-to wait
for him. All. God knows will be true to hin
but alas, alas. be knows by this time that can
never, never marry the man who forgets his
country. And he-ah, my darling, how have
made you ufer !"
She calmed herself, and began to rearrange
the letters of the top bunch. They were the
ones her lover had sent her in answer to her
plaintiVe appeals to him to forsake the South
and remain true to his country. And now,
when hostlities had commenced, she realized
for the first time that duty might mean more
to man than home or love. Every argument,
every entreaty love conld devise she had used
all in vaini She sighed as she sadly placed
the letters where no eyes save her own should
rest upon them, for she saw but long and
dreary life stretching before her. Intensely
patriotic by nature, and with that spirit stirred
to its uttermost by the strong feeling that sur
rounded her, she had written to her lover that
did he forsake the Gag of her country she
could never marry him; between the South
and her he must choose. She received no an
swer TO her impassoned appeal, and when war
was declared her last long, lingering hope of
seeing him vanished, aud she understood that
lac had chosen TO remain with his people. She
would listen TO no word against him. Let me
bear it alone" she had pleaded. But, true TO
the North as she was, she found that love was
stronger than patriotism that, censure or pity
him. she could never cease TO love him.
She took up her prayer book-his last gift to
her-and pressed it to her lips. II will use it
daily instead of my own" she thought He
ali, God he will never know; but he would
wish tit would please him-and," with a
fresh burst of tears in that dear book, at least,
can be one with him."