The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-11-26
CHAPTER XXI.
CONTINUED.

leans. Those were women of fine
courage. however, and they did not
fold their hands and cry. Madame
Souvestre, in whose mansion Fairfax
was receiving such tender nursing,
w:nt out every day to sew for the
army. At the Livingston home was
where most of this work was done, at
least 80 far as Madame Souvestre's
circle was concerned, and there, from
early morning until the dinner hour,
O throng of ladies cut and stitched
and wrought with lively, is not happy,
chatter, keeping up brave show OF
nerve and confidence. while their
hus bands, fathers, brothers and lovers
dug and shoveled with pick and spade
in the muddy sand. building line Of
breastworks from the river near Chal.
mette across to tho swamp.
Madame Souvestre was considered
the most favored one of her circle.
To have q brave, young soldier.
wounded almost to death, as her
special charge, to care for in her own
house, with her own hands, seemed to
all those noble-hearted and patriotic
women the very highest possible
honor.
ST am just as jealous of you as I
can be-" said Mrs. Livingston, one
day, after the sewing task was over
aud the other ladies had gone away,
"aud I think it selfish OF you, dear.
not to alloy me even to see your brave
young patient.
"But the doctor forbade it, you
know, and said that he mnst see no
one-no one must even speak to
him-he must have absolute quiet.
Yes, that was just what he said, abso-
lutte quiet"
"You will be falling in love
with him, Hortense," Mrs. Liv.
iugston remarked, after a lit
tie further conversation had dis
closed Madame Souvestre's enthusi-
astic admiration OF the young man.
personal appearance, "and that will
be romantic-it will be like novel.
What did you say is his name?"
"Fairfax. 1t has o noble sound,
hasn't it? But, no." with little
sigh, "there is no more romance for
me-"
Madame Souvestre's husband had
been killed i'll duel only month af-
ter her marriage, two years gone by.
He was noted swordsman; but wheh
he met Colonel Loring under the duel
ing oaks. il was Death that he fenced
with, and he was run through at the
third pass.
"Forgive me, DEAR" cooed Mrs.
livingston, taking the petite form in
her arms, "I am always saying some.
thing foolish. You are too good and
sweet to be the victim of my teasing
tongue
She kissed her end then held her at
arms. length to look lovingly at her.
"You are so beautiful, dear, that il
I were o man I know should stea
you. I couldn't help it!.
Madame Souvestre laughed, half
blushing at her friends enthusiasm.
She broke away and said:
"I must 90 back to him; he needs
great deal of care, that hero of mine
Mrs. Livingston stood smiling BY
the door when her friend was gone.
''She loves him already, the littls
warm. hearted witch!" she mused,
"and if he's even half man he will
love her. Heigh-ho! I wish this wal
was over!'
She c!asped her hands, and. the
light faded out of her face. It was sc
every evening after the ladies wer,
all gone aud the house had become
silent. She nearly always went to hel
dinner with tear-stained face anc
with feverlsh eyes.
Fairfax did not improve as rapidly
as Madame Souvestre had hoped for
but he bore up braye!y enough and
showed little sign OF dangerous rest
lessuess until the night of the 7th o:
January, when Crapaud Crapoussir
went back to the army.
"They need me" the dwarf said,
"and want to so. You eau do with
| out me for few hours"
He smiled in his hideously affection.
| ate way and fondled the sick mans
| tloodiess hand.
Madame Souvestre tried to persuade
him not to leave her, but he could NO.
be j. fluenced. He had received word
that the battle would be on before day
light of the following day, and his
creole blood was hot with fight.
'I will be back to bring You the
news of the victory before supset to-
morrow" he said, with queer drama
| tic intonation.
Then he kissed the hand OF FairfaA
| anil WAS off.
Madame Souvestre cried little and
cast herself upon priedieu, with
hands held forth beseechingly.
Fairfax watched her as If through
seme sweet mist OF tenderness. The
| plump little figure, the perfectly
poised head. the softly rounded arms
and beautiful, tiny hands were but
lou;k,b;no ouv;lioriea IN the pure