The Trials of the Soldiers Wife | Page 7

scene of our story, and, using the license of all
writers, transport the reader to Jackson, the Capital of the great State of
Mississippi, and there introduce him or her to other characters who will
bear a prominent part in this book.
In the parlor of an elegant resident on Main street, a beautiful girl was
sitting with an open book in her hand. She was not, however, reading,
as her bright blue eyes rested not on the pages, but were gazing at the
half-opened door, as if expecting the arrival of some one. While she is
thus musing, we will endeavour to give a description of the fair maiden.
Fancy a slight and elegant figure, richly dressed in a robe of moire
antique, from under the folds of which the daintiest little feet
imaginable could be seen. Her features, though not regularly carved,
made her, at the name time, very beautiful, while her bright blue eyes
and rich golden hair, braided smooth to her forehead, and ornamented
with a jewelled tiara, then much worn, lent additional charm to her
appearance. Her hands were small, and as Byron, we think, has it, was
an undoubted mark of gentle birth.
She remained in this reverie for some time, but was at last aroused by
the entrance, unannounced, of a handsome young man dressed in the
uniform of a lieutenant, when she started up, and meeting him, said in a
half-vexed, half-playful tone:

"Oh, Harry! why did you not come earlier? I have been waiting for
your arrival over an hour!"
"Excuse me, dearest," he answered. "I was just on the point of starting
from my office when I received a mass of orders from regimental
headquarters, which detained me until a few minutes ago. You must,
therefore," he continued, "excuse me for this once, and I shall not
offend again," and as he spoke he parted the hair from her forehead and
pressed a kiss upon her lips.
"I forgive you for this time," she answered, playfully tapping him on
the shoulder with her fan; "but the next offence I will not be so likely to
excuse."
"I will take good care not to offend again, then," he laughingly said.
The conversation continued for some time in this light way, which
lovers will sometimes indulge in, when, assuming a serious
countenance, she spoke to him:
"When does your regiment leave for Virginia?"
"I hardly know," he replied, "if it will go to Virginia at all. The Colonel
informs me that it is likely the regiment will be sent to Tennessee; so if
it is sent there, I will be nearer than you thought."
"What a horrid thing war is!" she said, without appearing to notice his
last remarks.
"You are not inclined to show the white feather now, are you?" he said,
laughing.
Her bright blue eyes sparkled for a moment, as if repudiating the
question; then lowering them she answered: "No, indeed. I would not
have a single one that I love remain at home while the Abolitionists are
invading our homes."
"Spoken like a brave girl and a true Southern woman," he replied, "and

I shall remember your words when I go into battle. It will nerve and
inspire me to fight with redoubled courage, when I recollect that I am
battling for you." As he spoke he gazed at her with mingled pride and
affection, and for some minutes they remained gazing at each other
with that affection which springs from
"Two souls with but a single thought-- Two hearts that beat as one."
Oh, Love! ye goddess of all that is blissful and elevating in man! How
thy devotees bow down to thy shrine and offer all that they possess to
purchase but a smile from thee! And when you have cast your favors on
some happy mortal, and the pure feeling of affection becomes centered
on woman, the fairest flower from Eden, how should not mankind
cherish the gift you have bestowed upon him, and look upon it as the
first and priceless object on earth, and but second to one above in
heaven!
The lovers remained in this silence, which spoke more than words
could have done, until the entrance of a tall and venerable looking
gentleman of about fifty years of age. As soon as he entered, they rose
up together, the young lady addressing him as "father," and the young
man as "doctor."
"How are you, Harry, my boy? give me a kiss, Em'," he said, in one
breath, as he shook the young man warmly by the hand and pressed a
parental kiss on the brow of his daughter. "Pretty warm weather, this,"
he continued, speaking to the young man; "it is almost stifling."
"Suppose we step out on the balcony, pa," said the