Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-12-07
DAILY. STORY
MISS LAvALETTE.

loved.
During the civil war Lieutenant Law
renee Nolan, aid-de-camp to a general
of brigade, encamped in Virginia on
the grounds of manor house belong.
ing to family named Lavalette. The
owner of the plantation and his sons
were with the Confederate army, but
his wife and daughter, Rosalind, were
at home. The women, though their
hearts were with the southern cause
and especially with the father and his
sons at the front, had the good sense
to treat the Union officers who came to
the house courteously. BY this means
they insured protection for themselves
and their property. The command to
which Nolan was attached remained in
camp on the Lavalette plantation for
several months, and, among other Of
ticers. he was a frequent visitor at the
manor house. Love. which knows no
barrier, ignored the fact that Rosalind
Lavalette was a rebel and Lawrence
Nolan an invader of the homes of
herself and the southern people.
1t was in the sweet summer time,
and life had in it for the young people
far more of zest than either had
known before. The ring of the bugle
and the beat of the drum were heard
in the land, uniformed men were COM
ing and going, the air was laden with
strains from military bands, while &C.
casionally there came from a distance
the booming of cannon. Amid all this
the young officer, snatching occasional
w of nj nj iS
cause. Nothing but principle stood in
the way of a favorable reply. The girl
could not bear to give herself to an
enemy of her country.
When the brigade moved, Nolan had
only time to ride to the manor house
and bid adieu to the girl he loved.
Cutting a button from his sleeve, he
gave 1t to her as a souvenir and told
her to keep it till he should call for it.
when peace comes" he said, 81 will
come to ask again for the word l
then goodby."
He asked for parting kiss, but she
refused him. How could 1 look my
dear father in the face" she said.
when he returns If 1 had been kissed
by Il Yankee?" Nolan sighed and.
rode away.
When the Union army left the Lava
lette plantation the place at once sank
into its accustomed quiescence. There
was nothing but the waving trees, the
hum of insects, the songs of birds. Not
again did any part of either the Union
or Confederate armies visit it, Rosa
lind Lavalette spent her time comfort
ing her mother for son and brother
who had been killed in a skirmish with
the brigade that had been encamped
on the plantation. Lawrence Nolan
gave the order in the name of his gen.
eral to send the body to the mother
and sister, and. though he believed that
MS heart would remain forever where
he had bestowed it, he gave up all
hope that Rosalind would ever be his
wife.
When peace came several years lat
sr the episode on the Lavalette planto'
ion had become a pleasant dream to
Nolan. He was even then but twenty
-wo, and his impressions We're the eva
ascent impressions of youth. He had
lad several other later affairs during
he war, and these had tended to wear
Ipon the effect of the first. He left
he army and began the study of a
profession. Occasionally he would be
'eized with a desire to go south and
eek Miss Lavalette, but he feared that
she would not listen to his suit
,efore his corps had killed her brother
he would not listen to him after that
rge,&,- l. 10
lerve to ask the hand of one whose
had been thus repaid. He
must study his profession for several
ears and even after acquiring it must
vait patiently for an income. And sc
he matter of his first love gradually
Tipped away from him.
Forty years passed. Nolan, who had
ecome prominent In his profession,
-as elected to congress. One evening
Don after his arrival at the capital he
Tas introduced to white haired wom-
II of refined appearance and with a
outhern accent.
I'VE have met before" she said.
when? WhereF"
During the civil war, In the south"
Nolan looked at her inquiringly.
That was q long while ago." he said.
Indeed 1t was, but 1 have remem-
cred you. long though it is"
"You can't be the girl who nursed
lie when 1 was wounded?''
mo. You were perfectly well when
knew you"
Nor the girl met at Richmond at
lie close of the war-the one over
hose home stood guard one night?"
'Nor that one either. You gave me
keepsake at parting. have it yet"
"Oh, / know you. 1 remember well
lat evening in your garden at Charles
IN when 1 gave you a rose and you
aid you would keep it as long as you
ved."
The lady smiled. 1t was a very sad
mile.