Fort Lafayette or, Love and Secession

ysician's evasive answers, the event was doubtful. The family were unremitting in their attentions, and Oriana, quietly, but with her characteristic self-will, ins

book unheeded in her hand, and her subdued eyes bent thoughtfully upon his face as he slept unconscious of her presence, she saw the white lips move and heard the murmur of the low, musical voice. Her fair head was bent to catch the words-they were the words of delirium or of dreams

gone; for his glance was calm and clear, and the old smile was upon

was very happy." He sighed, and closed his eyes, as if he longed to woo back the vision which had fled. She seem

are much bett

ve been very troublesome to you a

rateful we all are to you! You have suffered terribly for my sake, Mr. Wayne. You have a brave,

orgotten, or remember only as a passing cloud that lingered for a moment on a pure and lovely sky. There must be no self-reproaches between us t

rl paused awhile and gazed through the lattice

be stranger

e otherwise were fat

houghtful, so long, indeed, that the night shadows

ome supper for you," she

od at his bed-side and spok

nd feverish, and my brain has been wandering among misty dreams.

en them, for she did not look into his eyes with the same frank, trusting gaze that had so often returned his glance of tenderness, and sometimes even she looked furtively away with heightened color, when, with some gentle commonplace, his voice broke in upon her meditation. Arthur was now able to sit for some hours daily in his easy-chair, and Oriana often came to him at such times, and although th

on, "let us walk to the top of yonder hi

oke silence, and then Oriana mechanically made some commonplace remark about the beauty of the western sky. He repl

hur is much

etter,

is safety now. I think

Har

States for troops. I am no soldier, but I cannot rema

u fight,

need

your co

st tra

t me, p

uffered, dearest, with the thought that this unhappy business may separate us for a time. Think you

she tore nervously the peta

ange our hearts. Why should we part at all. Be mine at once, Oriana, and go with me to th

n to my kindred and t

m me-would it not be t

d not

our domestic ties. We can be blest, even among the rude alarms of war. This strife will soon be over, and you shall see the old homestead once again. B

ently the large tears rolled upon her cheek. He would have pressed her to his bosom, but

rely you do not love me less because of this poison of rebellion that infects the land.

r lips. The act seemed to him a strange one for an aff

go home,

me that yo

about his neck, and looked up mou

re of this now, for there is something at my heart that must be quieted with penitence and prayer. Oh, do not question me, Harold," she added, as

d. When they reached the house, Oriana was hastening to her cha

ised her swollen eyes, beneath whose white lids were crushed two teardrops that were striving to burst forth. "Give me the smile of the old time, and the old

ld was bewildered and anxious, and, till the summons came fo