LOVE AND WAR
Captain Richard Welford reached Richmond from the Western army two days
after Lee had driven McClellan under the shelter of the navy. He had
been wounded in battle, promoted to the rank of Captain for gallantry on
the field and sent home on furlough for two months.
He used his left hand to raise the knocker on Jennie's door. His right
arm was yet in a sling. His heart was beating a wild march as he rushed
from the hotel to the Senator's house. He had not heard from Jennie in
two months but the communications of the Western army had been cut more
than once and he thought nothing of the long silence. It had only made
his hunger to see the girl he loved the more acute. He had fairly
shouted his joy when a piece of shell broke his right arm and hurled him
from his horse. He never thought of promotion for gallantry. It came as
a surprise. The one hope that leaped when he scrambled to his feet and
felt the helpless arm hanging by his side was to see the girl he had
left behind.
"Glory to God!" he murmured fervently, "I'll go to her now!"
He was just a little proud of that broken arm as he waited for her
entrance. The shoulder straps he wore looked well, too. She would be
surprised. It had all happened so quickly, no account had yet reached
the Richmond papers.
Jennie bounded into the room with a cry of joy.
"Oh, Dick, I'm so glad to see you!"
He smiled and extended his left hand.
"Jennie!" was all he could say.
"You are wounded?" she whispered.
Dick nodded.
"Yep--a shell toppled me over but I was on my feet in a minute
laughing--and I'll bet you couldn't guess what about?"
"No--"
"Laughed because I knew I'd get to see you--"
"I'm so proud of you!" she cried through her tears.
"Are you?" he asked tenderly.
"Of course I am--don't you think I know what those shoulder straps
mean?"
"Well, I just care because you care, Jennie--"
"You're a brave Southern boy fighting for our rights--you care for that,
too."
"Oh yes, of course, but that's not the big thing after all, little
girl--"
He paused and seized her hand.
She blushed and drew it gently away.
"Please--not that now--"
"Why--not now?"
He asked the question in tones so low they were almost a gasp. He felt
his doom in the way she had withdrawn her hand.
"Because--" she hesitated just a moment to strike the blow she knew
would hurt so pitifully and then went on firmly, "I've met my fate,
Dick--and pledged him my heart."
The Captain lifted his shoulders with a little movement of soldierly
pride, held himself firmly, mastered the first rush of despair and then
spoke with assumed indifference:
"Socola?"
Jennie smiled faintly.
"Yes."
He rose awkwardly and started to the door. Jennie placed her hand on his
wounded arm with a gesture of pathetic protest.
"Dick!"
"I can't help it, I must go--"
"Not like this!"
"I can't smile and lie to you. It means too much. I hate that man. He's
a scoundrel, if God ever made one--"
Jennie's hand slipped from his arm.
"That will do now--not another word--"
"I beg your pardon, Jennie," he stammered. "I didn't think what I was
saying, honey. It just popped out because it was inside. You'll forgive
me?"
The anger died in her eyes and she took his outstretched hand.
"Of course, I understand--and I'm sorry. I appreciate the love you've
given me. I wish in my heart I could have returned it. You deserve it--"
The Captain lifted his left hand.
"No pity, please. I'm man enough to fight--and I'm going to fight.
You're not yet _Signora_ Socola--"
The girl laughed.
"That's more like a soldier!"
"We'll be friends anyhow, Jennie?"
"Always."
The Captain left the Senator's house with a grim smile playing about his
strong mouth. He had made up his mind to fight for love and country on
the same base. He would ask for his transfer to the Secret Service of
the Confederacy.