Fort Lafayette or, Love and Secession

erside manor were congregated in the hall, doing f

Mocha, "I will leave it to your savoir faire to transform our friend Arthur into a thorough southerner, before we yield him back to his Gr

ed at the name, bu

servation, not my arguments. I certainly do not intend t

gues, and gave him more logic in an afternoon ride tha

will not darken the sunshine of your visit at Riverside manor. It is unfortunate that you should have come at an unpropitious moment, when we cannot

make him proof against all the hard looks in Richmond. I prevailed on him to come at all ha

h at heart. I shall surely not provoke discussion with you, like our friend Harold, upon an unpleasant sub

onversation warranted, and her lips were slightly compressed as she observ

rive. They stood on the soft grass at the water's edge, and as Arthur gazed with a glow of pleasure at the beautiful prospect before hi

beyond the bend that will repay you for exploring them, if you have a taste for a lovely waterscape. I know you ar

ghtful than the excursion you propose. But I am inland bred, a

be trusted with the helm, even when the wind blows right smartly, as it sometimes does even on that now placid stream. But with his

s college-mate and mine, t

arm friend,

ered and quick-spoken, but with a heart-like your brothe

asperity in her tone. "I cannot endure your meek, mild mannered men, who seem to forget their sex, a

at brought a slight blush to her cheek; but he seem

you prize so dearly, had, in his case,

do you

old was brought about? And yet it was not likely that he shou

ith an air of attention

admire, a challenge ensued, and, in spite of my entreaty and remonstrance, a duel. Your brother was seriously wounded, and Harold, shocked beyond expression, knelt by his side as he lay bleeding on the sward, and bitterly accusing himself, begged his forgiveness, and, I need not add, rece

communing with herself: "Harold is a brave and noble fellow, and I thank God that he did not kill my brother!

condemn

ured

he face of insult? Would you not hav

that God has given. With God's help, I shall not shed hum

wn life most sacred," she said, with a cu

ed upon his face, for she had turned half away from him, and was gazing vacantly across the river. There was an unpleasan

baby strength. The horses, which were high bred and spirited, had become impatient, and feeling the lash, started suddenly, jerking themselves free from the careless grasp of the inattentive groom. The sudden shout of surprise and terror that arose from the group of idle negroes, startled the animals into a gallop, and they went coursing, not along the road, but upon the lawn, s

ttle Pomp wi

iana's hand was laid instinctively upon Arthur's shoulder, and with the other she pointed, with a gesture of bewildered anxiety, at the approaching vehicle.

r course. They would have turned, but their impetus was too great, and they swerved only enough to bring the head of the off horse in a line with Arthur's body. As coolly as if he was taking up a favorite book, but with a rapid movement, he grasped the rein below the bit with b

wed by a crowd of excited ne

lacing his hand affectionately on hi

rdered dress, he coughed painfully-the same dry, hacking cough that had often made those who loved him turn

g," said Beverly, "for that axle has been less f

the drawing-room, after having changed his soiled apparel, he found her seated there alone, by the casement, with her brow upon her hand. He sat down

orgive me,

ll gone, and her expression was of humility and sorrow. She held out her hand to him with an air almost of ent

ve about anything. There is noth

d I have been, and how cr

ng to read if some trace of resentment were not visible. But the blue eyes looked down kindly an