Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-05-24
4 WAR ROMANCE.

1t was breakfast time at Avondale.
and General Higgerson for the fifth
time wondered what kept his daughter
rs ne fidgeted with his paper and stirred
his hot coffee. Through the open win
dow overlooking the sloping, velvety
lawn honeysuckles peeped into the old
fashioned room and scented the air with
their fragrance, the bright sunshine
lighted up the oak paneled walls, gleam-
I'd on glass and silver on the table and
played about the old generals white
head. Just rs his patience was at an
end the door opened and admitted
tall, handsome girl. with bright blue
eyes and n determined mouth. She held
a big bunch of clematis in her hands.
Where have you been. Mona:" in
quired her father.
Down at the river. found the stone
wall near the boathOuse ablale with
these blossoms. am sorry to be late,
dear.
Tho southern mail is in, " observed
the general, nodding toward a small
pile of letters at her plate.
She flushed slightly as she laid the
clematis on the sidebOard and took her
seat at the table 4 conscious smile
crossed her fathers face as she broke
the seal of the first letter. He turned TO
the paper in his hands. ana his eyes
caught this heading. "A Romance In
Real Life He glanced at the article
casually, and then the smile died away,
his hands frightened on the paper and
his face grew hard and stern while he
read the following paragraph:
with the invalided officers return
ing this week is young Colonel Law
renee. who was severely hurt in the
charge at San Juan. Among the nurses
who went 20 look after the sick was
handsome young woman whom the
colonel formerly admired. Family mis-
fortunes had forced her TO adopt nurs-
ing as profession. Their friendship
was renewed, and when the colonel
came home he was engaged to his old
love Colonel Lawrence Is TO be married
very shortly. Report says that he had
entangled himself with another lady,
who Will now find that she must look
elsewhere for consolation.
AS he laid down the paper the gen.
eral glanced at his daughter. She was
sitting. with dazed expression on her
face. gazing at letter she held.
Father, what does this mean?" she
exclaimed, holding out the letter. He
took it from her, and this Is what he
read:
"a West Fifty Street.
New York, Sept. l2 1898.
DEAR MoNA-You may have seen in the pa
pers an account of my being wounded. made
light of il in my last letter. fearing to alarm
you, but the truth is i am a wreck. as the pa
pers have accurately stated. 1 am invalided
and crippled, and If ii had not been for de-
voted nursing should not be here today. Un-
der the circumstances do not feel justified in
holding you to your engagement. Notwith
standing the pain 1t causes me TO do TINS,
want to release you entirely and leave you free
TO marry some one who is not SO shattered as
myself. hut believe me, dearest, that whatever
my future life you will always be shrined
deep in my heart OF hearts Your faithful
friend. HENRY LAWRENCE.
"What does it mean - almost shout
ed the old general. "It means that your
lover is q scoundrei, Mona. Read this ~
And he thrust into her hands the news
paper containing the Romance In Real
Life. " The girl grew white Co the lips.
A mist before her eyes prevented her for
a moment from reading the article.
Slowly she grasped its full purport.
"Be brave, child. be brave" said
her father, as he watched her anxiously.
She caught her breath and rose hur-
riedly from the table, crossed the room
90 the open window, and. leaning there
with the honeysuckle brushing against
her sunny brown hair, looked out across
the old lawn with unseeing eyes.
After a moments silence, the girl
turned pale face toward her father.
81 will be brave. but leave me to my
self for awhile" And, crushing the let
ter in her hand, she hastily left the
room.
1t was terrible blow to the general