The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-07-01
THE LOVERS REVENGE.
BY CAL. THAYER.

One evening early in the rebellion,
Laura Davis stood at tie gate of her
home on the bank of the Tennessee
The rays of the setting sun that flash
ed from the river and lllumined the
pleasant plantation, lit up to glowing
beauty her handsome face and dark,
eager eyes, as she leaned forward to
listen to the sonnd of approaching
footsteps. In moment a man ap-
peared under the trees near the
house, and she sprang forward to
| meet him.
II am SO glad to see yonl that is, to
| see some one who can tell me the
news. What hes happened? Have
the Yankees advanced she asked,
breathlessly.
81 do not know" he answered, with
str ange slowness IN contrast with her
impetuous works. II have heard
nothing since | last saw you"
"Have heard nothlngw she repeat
ed contemptuously, land you are
man end might have found out so
easily Joe Bryne, how can you stay
at home so tamely, when your coun-
try calls on every man to defend Der
from these tyrants who would make
us their slavesl'
Bryne watched that handsome, de
tiant face with its burning eyes and
scornful lips. and his dark features
grew sinister with suppressed pas
sion.
"And this is all your welcome!
You did not care to see me, only to
see any one who could give YOU the
gossip of the day"
The gossip of the dayp' she sneer-
ed. You call the events that are
occurring around us here gossi p
you regard the great struggle before
us perhaps as child's play?"
No." he answered, sit is important
enough, doubtless, but to me, Laura.
even these q7estions are nothing
compared to what lies nearest my
heart"
"And what is that7"
My love for youl Yes, Laura, i
must urge my suit once more; tell me
will yeu give me no hope?"
"And this was your errand to-nightw
she said scornfully. You come here
to sigh about your own selfish hopes,
when every man should think only of
his countryW
Your words are bitter, Laura.
You will not listen to me, then7 2"
mo, Joe Bryne, neither DOW nor at
any future time | never loved you,
and now your Indifference to your
duty makes me-"
go on,' he said, tiercely. as she
paused.
-"Despise you" And she turned
haughtily away.
For moment he looked after her,
his arm contracted, his eyes blazing
with fire: then he called her:
Stay a moment, Laura"
"Well?'
Suppose | join the confederate
army, may | hope then that you will
be mine?
NO." she answered, as she turned
back.
II will make no promise even on
those conditions; but though l will
not marry you ever then, | shall re-
gard you as an honorable friend"
"A friendw he repeated. II do not
want your friendship; want you,
ycnr lGve-that or nothing
''Then the sooner yor lea We me the
better. | tell you | will never be
yours, but if You draw your sword
and defend your country like a man
| will honor and respect you
But you will not marry me?"
NO! why ask so many useless
questions?"
Then you love another"
A deep flush swept up under Lau-
ra's dark skin, and for once her large
eyes dropped. Her voice trembled as
she replied:
"You have no right to ask
But | am answered." he said saw
agely.
Your tell tale confusion betrays
your secret. l see You scorn my love
because you care for another man. |
understand now why there is no hope
for me, but | tell you, Laura Davis,
although can not make you love
me, L will one day make you fear
me. | am going to join the Union
armyr'
"Whatl recreant! traitor! you will
betray your country and join her as
sassins!'
Il shall JON the strongest force"
he said, cody. Il tell you. Lanra,
this fine plan of Southern Confede-
acy will never succeed: the North is
stronger and richer than the South;
thew will conquer you, and / shall be
| one of the conquerors.'
Lauras face was white with anger.
You are coward" she cried. in
dignantly. "Never insult me by try
ing to speak to me againr'
Never till you sue to me for mercy
newer till you are in my power! l
tell you L will have revenge for every
insulting word you have uttered to
night Until then farewellp'
He turned away, and Laura, with a
burning desire to be a man and kill
him on the spot, saw his powerful
figure disappear down the winding
path. She was an only child, indulg-
ed by her fond parents and obeyed
by her slaves, until her naughty spir
it could i'll brock opposition or con
tro], AT the first breaking ont of the
rebellion she had espoused the south
ern country heart and soul, and was
ready now to dare all or to die fo1
what she mistakingly believed to be
her country.
Bryne had beer for long time :
suitor of her, but Laura never liked
him, although she did not know how
entirely repugnant be was TO her til
chance threw her with a handsome
young Kentuckian, and she learned
with what intensity she could love
This young man. Clarence Stuart
had spent bat few weeks under tn,
same roof with Laura in the course o
a Christmas pleasure trip, but in tina
brief time, impetuous in everything