The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-12-04

| DealinS 10 uWull the appearances VI NY
friends. ! was startled by the voice of
Buck coming from above:
LIB, doggonc it, whar's my swearln
book? I've lost that swearin boot
what Major Brandystonc tole me to
git"
A few minutes later he came into the
room. As he caught sight OF me his
face became radiant, and, jumping into
my arms, he Rugged me like a young
bear The others soon entered. Mr..
Stanforth, who by this time had openly
avowed his affection for the Union,
parted from me with regret, not un-
mixed with apprehension lest upon the
return of the Confedcratcs he might
suffer for his attentions to our troops.
Mrs, Stanforth bade me adlcu with
motherly affection. Little Ethel put
her arms about my neck and wonder
ed. Buck for the moment i'm his affec-
ton for me forgot that he was n Con
federate sympathizer and insisted on
going with me. Helen stood aloof and
Mt the last moment seemed more bitter
thar ever. There was n flush upon her
cheek and a bright spark in her eyes.
"Goodby," | said, putting out my
hand to her.
"Never to an enemy" she replied.
turning away.
There was n murmur OF disapproba-
ton at her act, but 1 did not listen to
1t. Turning on my heel, left the room
and the house and in another moment
vas galloping away.
My regiment was moving on n road
leading northward and to the east of
the main pike, so i was obliged to ride
across country to rejoin. Large armies
necessarily move slowly, and. although
In this Instance we had entered upon
forced marches, l knew that | had
plenty of time. ! vas riding leisurely
through n lonely road when | heard
the sound of horses hoofs behind me.
had become so used to being hunted
by my old enemies that l instinctivcly
drew rein Inc my revolver at the same
time and, facing about, awaited the
coming of friend or foe. My pursucr
turned II bend in the road but'a short
distance from me and suddenly came
In sight.
Helen Stanforth! What in the
world brings you here2"
She drew rein and sat with flushed
cheeks. her eyes looking anywhere ex
cept on me. Her horse was FESTIVE. the
two making n picture by no means
Quiescent.
81 am not satisfied"
with whatT"
THE manner of your leaving the
country"
do | take with me what does not be.
long to mep
"You are going with our enemies"
was puzzled, She knew that 1 was
a Union officer and that my duty lay
with the departing army. Besides, to
remain In the country after it's reoccn-
patton by Confederate troops would be
as much as my life was worth. | was
more than puzzled; 1 was irritated,
smarting as / was under her recent
treatment.
"This Is not what dissatisfes you"
said.
81 spent my time rescuing a renegade"
ii see no occasion for you to come
after me to hurl that taunt anew. We
parted half an hour ago., l supposed
never to meet again. Now you must
needs
h paused and bit her lip.
had often noticed n great show OF
picket firing on h part of an enemy
Just before abandoning his lines. Some.
how the thought gave me ali inkllne
Of what was passing In Helen's mlnd
| rode up close beside her and, laying
my hand on her horses neck, stroked
1t for n moment till l had quieted him.
Meanwhile my yes were fixed on Hell
ems, that were glancing about wildly,
as If ~endeavoring to find some means
of retreat. Bending forward without
a word, | put my arms about her and
drew her to me. Her head sank slow.
ly. at last resting on the embroidered
leaves that denoted my rank.
Sweetheart, 1 love you, and l believe
you love me-"
Ihere was silence, save for the run
nlhg water OF Ii creek and the chat
tering Of the birds in the trees beside
the road. The touching of our lips,
her heart beating against mine, stray
strands of her hair falling over my
wrist, the moisture in her eyes, BRING
q new warmth to my heart even today.
AT last she suddenly disengagcd her.
self and, as though ashamed of her
surrender, turned her horse to move
away. caught her and held her long
enough for n more embrace, one long
parting kiss, then 1 let her go. AS she
galloped down the road I called after
her:
you forgive me for threatening your
brother, for trying to compel you to
beg for his life"
mo"
III come when the Union Is saved"
When the Confederacy is acknowl-
edged" and she shot around the bend
out of sight.
Il believe" I unused, as / rode OH.
there is no inconsistency, NO %incongru.
sty, that does not enter into the com
position of woman"
We met again n year later, shortly
before the battle of Chickamauga, and
again when Hood was marching
against Thomas mt Nashville, but II
vas not TIL after the surrender at Ap,
pomattox that she consented to n un.
Il Ia III