The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-10
Miss Lavalette
[Original.]

man may forget the woman ne mas
loved.
During the civil war Lieutenant Law
renee Nolan. aid-de-camp to general
of brigade. encamped in Virginia on
the grounds Of a manor house belong.
ing to a family named Lavalette. The
owner of the plantation and his sons
were with the Confederate army. but
his wife and daughter. Rosalind. We're
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 Lavaette plantation for
several months. and. among other Of
ficers, he was a frequent visitor at the
manor house. Love. which knows no
barrier. ignored the fact that ROsalind
Lavalette was 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 oc
casionally there came from a distance
the young officer, snatching occasional
moments. when off duty. pleaded his
cause. Nothing but principle stood III
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 it to her as 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 !
would be so glad to hear now. Till
then gOOdby"
He asked for parting kiss. but she
refused him. How could l look my
dear father in the face" she said.
when he returns If had been kissed
by Yankee?" Nolan sighed and
mounting, rode away.
When the Union army left the Lava
Lott NJ tot ,,ln l.
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 a son and brother
who had been killed in skirmish with
the brigade that had been encampeG
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
his 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
er the episode on the Lavalette planto
ton had become pleasant dream to
Nolan. He was even then but twenty,
two. and his impressions were the eva
nescent impressions Of youth. He had
had several other later affairs during
the war; and these had tended to wear
upon the effect of the first. He left
the army and began the study Of a
profession. Occasionally he would be
seized with a desire to go south and
seek Miss Lavalette. but he feared that
If she would not listen to his suit
before bis corps had killed her brother
she would not listen to him after that
distressing event. He had not the
nerve to ask the hand of one whose
hospitality had been thus repaid. He
must study his profession for several
years and even after acquiring it must
wait patiently for an income. And Sc
the matter of his first love gradually
slipped away from him.
Forty years passed. Nolan. who had
become prominent in his profession
was elected to congress. One evening
soon after his arrival at the capital he
was introduced to a white haired WON
an Of refined appearance and with a
southern accent
I'VE have met before" she said.
when? WhereT'
During the civil. war in the SOUTH
Nolan looked at her inquiringy
THAT was long While ago. he said.
Indeed it was. but l have remem-
bered you. long though it is
You can't be the girl who nursed
me when l was wOunded?"
"No. You were perfectly we'll when
l knew yor''
Nor the girl I met st Richmond at
the close of the wharf.-the one over
whose home stood g1arl one night!
Nor that one either. You gave me-
keepsake at parting. have it yet"
'Oh. know you. l remember well
that evening in your garden at Charles
ton when ! gave you rose and you
said you would keep it as long as you
lived
The lady smiled. 1t was a very sad