Amador ledger., 1907-12-06
Romance Of tbe Civil War.

ham, shook hands and parted. each
praying that they might never meet
on the battlefield, for Harold had
taken up aims with the South. while
Walter had united with the Union
forces. They had both received their
fathers blessing, although the old
Major was cut to the quick to think
that Walter, his oldest son, would
fight against the South.
There was another, too who felt
Walters decision keenIy This was
Elizabeth Ross, for she was Southern
girl with the truly Southern spirit,
and she loved the South better than
her life. A few months ago she and
Walter had become engaged, and they
were to be married soon. Walter
dreaded telling Elizabeth. of his de-
cision, for he knew her proud dis
position, and how she would hate
him for fighting against the South.
He went to her, however, and told
her. and as lie had expected, the
engagement was broken.
II had been week since he had
last seen her, and now as he left his
home, his disappointed father and
ever tender mother, he longed for
just one friendly word from Eliza
beth. Walter was passing her home,
Elizabeth was standing on the veranda
and their eyes met, his with an ex-
preston of entreaty, which could not
he suppressed, but hers answered
with cold glance without the slight
est sign of recognition. His heart
fell. He was going to take up arms
against his home, parents, friends,
even his only brother was fighting on
the opposing side. Could not they
see that that which moved him to do
such thing was prompted by some
thing truly virtuous. He met dis
couragement on every side, yet that
great patriotism within him CONQUER
ed. and he went to the North and
helped to win the victory for his
country.
We will not follow him through the
long and dreadful war. 1t is sutfi-
cient.to say that at its close he was
General Cunningham. During these
years he had not seen one home face
nor heard from Elizabeth. Although
he sometimes managed to send mess
ages, home very few were those that
he received from there, and in none
of them was she mentioned. He
learned that his brother had lost an
aim and been released early in the
war, so he was saved the pain of
anticipating an encounter with him.
And what of Elizabeth all this
time? Had she forgotten Walter in
her enthusiasm for the South? l
think not, for, although his name
never passed her lips, an observant
person might have SEEN an anxious
expression come into her eyes when
some encounter was mentioned in
which she had reason. to- believe he
had taken part. She greatly regret
ted the steps she had takan.
The war is over, Lee and Johnston
have surrendered, and. the troops have
been disbanded. Walter is now re-
turning home. What will his greet
ings be? How he longs, to see them
all! Will Elizabeth. have forgiven
mimi? We shall see.
He arrives in the town on an over
land train at five, fifteen in the after
noon-no one is there to meet him,
for they did not know he was coming.
tie passes slowly up. the street long
ing yet dreading to meet those dear
to him. AS he is passing Elizabeth's
home, strong temptation comes over
him., and he yields to it. He quickly
crosses the lawn and goes up the
steps to the veranda. Elizabeth is
lying in the hammock aslee p. BY
her side OH stand is a book, the
last he had given her, and on her
| inger-can he believe it?-is their
engagement ring. She had laid it on
the table the night their engagement
was broken, and he had not taken it.
She murmurs something in her sleep.
All he hears is the word ''Walte1, -
but the expression on her face could
| foretelI no anger for the person bear
| ing such name. He calls her by
name and she opens her. eyes, they
rest on him doubtfully for second