Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-02-22

"There was look OF f.s.;a ::non your
face as you lay sleeping, and thought
1t might ease you somewhat I have
had some experience as nurse, you
know" she explained quietly. "You
mentioned your mother; is she yet
living?"
"she is in Richmond. stopping with
friends, but since my capture we have
lost all trace of each other. l was
reported as having been killed in &C.
ton, and doubt if she even yet
knows the truth. Everything is
SO confused in the capital that
1t is impossible to trace any
one not directly connected with the
army, once you lose exact knowledge
of their whereabouts.
your father, then, Is dead?"
He yielded his life the first year
of the war; and our plantation near
Charlottesville has been constantly in
the track of the armies. One rather
important battle, indeed, was fought
upon it, so you may realize that it is
now desolate and utterly unfit for hab.
itation"
THE house yet stands?"
"The chimney and one wall alone re-
NAMED when l was last there" l re-
piled, glad of the interest she exhib.
tied. Fortunately two of the negro
cabins were yet standing. Doubtless
these will form the nucleus Of our
home when the war ceases; they
will prove trife better than the
mere sky"
"The south is certainly paying ter
rible price for rebellion" she said SO
berly, her fine eyes filled with tears. IT
am sure have tarried here quite as
long as should, now that can be of
no further service"
AS she gathered her skirts in her
hand preparatory to descending the
stairs, l yielded to temptation and
stopped her. Right or wrong l must
yet have one word more.
81 beg of you do not desert me so
soon. This may prove our final meet
ing-indeed, fear it must be; sure
ly, then, it need not be so brief
one?"
"Our final meeting%
She echoed my words as though
scarcely compromising their mean
ing.
yes" 1 said, rising and standing be-
fore her. Glow can we hope it shall
be otherwise? / am not free to re-
main here, even were it best for other
reasons, for l am soldier under Or
ders. You undoubtedly will proceed
north at the earliest possible moment.
There is scarcely probability that in
the great wide world we shall meet
again.
"The war will soon be over; perhaps
then you may come north also"
II scarcely expect to do so. My
work then will be to Join with my COM
rades in an effort to rebuild the shat
tered fortunes of Virginia. When the
lines of lives diverge so widely as
ours must, the chances are indeed few
that they ever meet again"
But surely you can remain here I'm.
TIL we leave?" she questioned, evident
ly striving not to reveal the depth
of interest she felt in the decision. cit
will not be until tomorrow that all de-
tails are arranged so as to permit of
our departure. l had supposed you
would certainly be with us until then"
Mrs. Brennan!" l exclaimed al.
most passionately, "do not tempt me!
Youir wish is temptation most diff
cult to resist"
why resist, then?"
She did not look at me, but stood
twisting handkerchief nervously
through her fingers. The abrupt ques-
ton startled me almost into full con.
fession, but fortunately my eyes
CHANGED to fall upon her wedding-ring,
and instantly crushed the mad words
back into my throat.
Because it is right" replied slow.
ly, feeling each sentence as a death.
blow. For me to remain can mean
only one thing. For that l am ready
enough, if thought you desired it, but
| dare not choose such course my.
self"
You speak in riddles. What is the
one thing?"
"a personal meeting with Major
Brennan"
The high color deserted her cheeks,
and her eyes met mine in sudden in.
quiry. ooh, no, MOI" she exclaimed
with energy. "You and Frank must
never meet in that way. You mean
duel?"
I bowed grayely. ~ was permitted
to aid in defense Of this house only
by pledging myself to Major Brennan
afterwards"
But why need it beat least now
that you have stood together as com.
rades?" :.
II fear" l said quietly, that fact
will not count for much. We both
o.. !