Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-06-13
Written for the Register.)
UNICE LEES LUCK.
BY oDETTE TYLER.


Unice Lee was known as the girl OF
luck.
At school everything she under
took turned out right, not from any
especial talent, just Unice Lees luck
She was beautiful, strong girl and
got great deal out of life, principally
because she was tormented with none
of the nonsensical vapor which toe
often enslave our girls Of the present
period.
Unice gave.no outward sign Of her
feelings, nevertheless she was proud
Of the phrase "Unice Lees LUCK. 1t
was only when she had left school and
become a full.fedged belle in the
small town of Robbins that suddenly,
like bolt shot from clear sky, her
luck changed and from that on her
life grew in the shadows, with but
intermittent rays of sunshine.
When the gloom began to tumble
about her she held her head high and
kept tight rein on her emotions, and
no one guessed the fierce battle wag.
ing beneath the well.6tting gown.
Her fathers death was her first
grief. Her heart, capable of the
deepest affection, turned to her mother,
but within a year she too was taken
to the Robbins church-yard, and only
Unice was left in the little home on
the hill.
In her loneliness her hungry heart
reached out, seeking something upon
which to vent its wealth of love.
Here John Schuyler came upon
the scene-a fine, manly fellow with
honest principles and gentle rearing.
When Unice had given him her
blushing face to kiss, and twined her
arms in sweet trust about his neck,
and he had given her the dear promise
of fidelity, the old saying, which OF
late had been dropped, was revived.
The villagers smiled and said, "Unice
Lees luck" (for John Schuyler was
the best catch in the village) and
nodded approvinglY. Her love for
John was all absorbing. She surren-
dered every thought and merged her
entire being in his. and when one day
he told her of the call for arms and
that he must stand for his country's
honor, the announcement fell with
crushing effect. At first abe was
siezed by a sudden desire to fall on
her knees and plead with him not to
co. to stay with her. The struggle
lasted but moment. Gripping her
hands tightly together. h. heard her
say: "You will come back, my darl-
ing. You will come l""But the words
trailed off into heart. breaking sobs.
Two days afterwards bravely she
buckled on his sword, and stood a
ghost-like self with her arms twined
about his neck. eyes looking into eyes
She told him of the ocean of love she
had for him. She said: "How is it
darling, darling, that such a wonder
full thing should have happened, as
that you and should have met and
cared for each other You do love
me, John-you do. don't ou2-don't
you2 And you will come back Re.
member, l shall be waiting. Oh, my
Godl" She stood back from him. her
heart Tightening with new fear
John, if-if-you should dieI'
"What then, my sweetheart, what
then ?" John whispered, as he held
her. A beautiful radiance sprane
through the fear in her eyes.
II will find you, wherever you are.
God keep you, my precious, my dear
my own, own Johnl'' They stood mo-
tioEless, feeling the beats of each 9th
er's hearts. For while neither spoke,
and then they knew it was time tt
part.
They kiased each other passionate.
ly. They drew together closer ant
closer. In semi-conscious way they
tried to comfort each other with in.
articulate phrases, AMI then he tors
himself away from her arms and raj
down the path. At the gate ne turned
and took one long, lingering look a
the girl with her arms outstretcheG.
"MY dear one, my dear onel" shs
sobbed. my sweetheart |" be whis.
pered back. and then he passed out o
sight.
After that Unice picked up thu
threads Of her life and tried to adjust
herself to the awful solitude. There
was something horrible about the
mechanical way ia which she per,
formed her duties. Her actual sci
seemed to be floating over bloody
Lottlaeald whtlo fhia other che walked