The Washington times., 1894-10-18
HllS Fair in
LOu0 and War.

calculated, and seizing the letter he rapidly
ran his eyes over the contents again, with no
apparent relief Something must be done
and at once" he muttered, 'or before 1 know
it Marie will be beyond my reach"
To explain this little episode must briefly
relate few incidents of the preceding sum-
mer. which had brought about the present
situation.
A wound in the left hand had disabled Capt.
Benson six months previous and sent him
home to become at once the pet and hero of a
large circle of friends. During this furlough
he met and fell in love with bright-eyed lit
tie maiden. who was visiting in his native
town and who considered it great fun to carry
off the hero OF the young girls who, let us
suppose out of loyalty to their country, paid
much attention to the young officer.
Mare Leth was not loyal. Indeed, strange
TO relate, she was a little rebel of the most de-
flant sort and while she coquetted and danced
with tfo captain. sung The Bonnie Blue
Flag ;.nd away Down South in Dixie"
whenever she was invited to entertain her
friends with music. The young captain
laughed at her rebel sympathies and found
it a most fascinating task to reconstruct"
this wayward girl, whose tender heart, he
fancIed, could never be hard toward enemy
or friend.
The time came, however, when, to her
great dismay, Marie discovered she had been
PLAYING with fire and that her heart had
passed from her control forever. Hereafter
her fortunes must be bound up with those OF
the soldier who had won her affections, and
she must ever follow his fate with longing
eyes and loving, perhaps suffering heart. OF
tourse. Capt. Benson followed up his advan-
tage, and Marie gracefully surrendered, at
first with Joyous heart, but following close
upon it came "a drea iful sinking of spirit as
she thought of her fathers devotion to the
Southern cause. The merry weeks flew by,
and Marie put the shadow behind her and
lived only in the present until the hour of
parting dawned and the reality of the sad
separation rushed upon her. She wept upon
her lover 5 breast. The stranger had indeed
grown dear and the once well-loved home
loomed up now as a very hall OF judgment.
The captain laughed at her fears and told her
that he would come and plead her cause so
well that some time she would look back and
smile at her presentiments.
''Ah, if you ever get the chance to pleadn'
she said. My dread is that he will close the
door in your face he is so sternn
For a few weeks after her return Marie did
not mention her lover except as a friend of
the family she had visited. Even then by the
sternness that settled about her fathers lips
she guessed at his attitude and shuddered at
the idea OF what he would think if he knew
all. The change in Marie, however, had not
escaped the keen eyes of her mother and she
noticed that gradually her daughter declined
the attentions of her former admirers. until.
deeming themselves unwelcome, they ceased
to visit her.
One evening as she expressed her intention
OF remaining at home when most of her
friends were engaged for the seasons event.
ball of special note, the mother questioned
Il
pressure. She burst into tears and confessed
that she was loved by and engaged to Union
soldier.
The storm did indeed burst over her young
head but Marie stood firm, more and more
resolved to bear it ell for loves dear sake.
The lines, however, were drawn more closely.
1t would be folly she wrote to her lover,
"for you TO come here at present We must
/ wait" Then later it had been: They watch
me more and more closely and flnallyin the
letter before him the captain discovers that
Marie's parents have decided to break of the
correspondence between the TWO lovers.
This was the cause Of his alarm and why
the minutes few by, while Capt Benson sat
stu wing the problem as 10 how he could OBJ
tain a hearing. and a favorable enc.
One thing especially impressed him in his
| little sweetheart's letter; They, papa and
mamma. say that soldiers are great fiirts.
They make love to every pretty girl they meet
and ride away"
At last the captain struck his fist heavily
upon the table and, eXclaiming: 81 have il!
'Ai's fair in love and war; he hurriedly
| brought out his writing materials and began
a letter, over which he frequently paused to
laugh. When finished he read it with appar-
ent satisfaction and, as he sealed it, remarked:
John will do it up in style. l am sure"
One morning week later good Mrs. Leitn
stood in the open door and looked out on a
gloomy day. 1t was close and warm and the
clouds lowered heavily. and vet refused 10
break in rain upon the dusty streets. 1t was
her custom TO send delicacies to the hospitals,
IN spite OF her sympathies being with the
other side. Her warm heart inclined her to
relieve suffering in any form and the city was
full of soldiers who often came to the house
to ask fayors. Suddenly she was startled by
the sight of a weak, pale soldier, who dropped
upon the lower step. eXclaiming:
Pray, do not think ! am intoxicated,
madam. 1 am only very faint.
Here his head fell upon his breast, and he
seemed about to swoon. The mistress of the
house. quite alarmed, ran into the hall, called
Hester. Hester! bring the camphor here.'
and the next moment both lady and maid
were helping the sick man into the house.
AS soon as he had been rested aud refreshed,
seeing thai the sympathes of the good lady
were kindled, he launched out into a descrip-
tion of the horrors OF war. Forgetting that
he was a Yankee, she responded warmly:
You poor privates must endure great hard
ship, and looked kindly into his pale face.
Indeed. many Of us do" he replied. but
our company is very fortunate in possessing
a captain who leaves no stone unturned for
our promotion.
That is most uncommon, should think,
she replied. pursuing up her lips.
Indeed it Is, madam, but you never saw
such a man as he is. He will refuse to &c
into comfortable quarters until he sees that
every private has been also cared for. Think
of that"
well, it is remarkable" she returned re.
| laXlng somewhat.
Il should say So" replied the private
warming to the subject. Would you believe
1t, madam, have seen him share his last
| cracker with soldier and refuse luxuries
that his men might not share"
"Why, how you must love him!' exclaimed
his listener, interested at last in this paragon
| of all the virtues.
Indeed, his men adore him. You ought
| TO see him after Il battle looking out to see i
all his men are safe, and in the case OF the
wounded, looking up delicacies, if they are tc
! be found. Oh, madam, such man is rarely
| foundl"
II should Judge So" replied the lady
| 'What is the name of your captain, my MANI
Capt. Albert Benson, of the Sixth Mary
| laEd regiment, replied the SoIdler coolly'
| MAY God bless him."
The ladY's face grew quite pale, but she
! quickly rallied and exclaimed: "Well, l sup
pose he is not quite perfect, doubtless such {
| gallant officer is also sad flirt"
Indeed, no. returned the man. indig
nantly. II have known him from boy anG
he has never been engaged but once.
The lady's hope rose, and she remarked
careessly: ITO a young lady of his town,
suppose?'
''Oh, no; any girl in that place would be
proud to marry him. This lady was {
stranger to US all, and wish from my heart