Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

8 LOVE’S YOUNG DREAM. Royal Chetwood alone of all that throng was in- wardly troubled. He was a Northern man, and his whole sympathies were with the North in this momentous hour. He was uneasy because he feared the worst. He strongly deprecated the stand taken by the South. He was opposed to a continuance of slavery. But he was far too tactful to express any opinion, except a very guarded one, in the face of the over- whelming opposition. Though many suspected the true sentiments of the handsome visitor, no one attempted to draw him forcibly into an argument. Southern chivalry forbade such a violation of hos- pitality. Therefore, beyond an occasional bit of harmless badinage, which he skillfully parried, Royal Chet- wood was subjected to no unpleasant contr etemps. So while mirth and music whiled the moments away, the volcano smoldered beneath the very feet of the dancers. As the last notes of the waltz died away, Royal Chetwood led his charming partner back to her seat. But Captain Trafton had gone away, so our hero, taking advantage of the situation, monopolized the fair girl’s attention for the time being. — ‘Tam afraid, Miss McVane, this may be our last meeting for some time to.come,’’ said Royal, wist- fully gazing into Bertha’s face. ‘Our last, Mr. Chetwood?”’ said the lovely girl, her bright smile vanishing in a moment. -**Yes,’’ he said, almost sadly, ‘four last. I expect . to go North to-morrow.”’ ‘*So soon,’’ she said, looking down at the carpet. ‘‘Tam sorry, but——”’ He paused, scarcely knowing how to excuse the S) Eomicboo co