COL. R. C. EDEN
Captain Eden was promised a furlough and promotion but it was long deferred. It was decided that when the promised furlough came they would go at once to Washington for the marriage ceremony and for a honeymoon trip. Bob managed to get an occasional pass from his regiment, then in camp before Petersburg always ready for orders to advance for action.
It was well that Annie had succeeded in gaining from the department of the Provost Marshal General, the privilege of remaining till Captain “Bob” should receive his furlough. And well it was that the words took that form, for three months passed and yet no furlough came, while “Bob” stormed and laughed, impatient, though happy in anticipation, while he continued to make flying visits to our quarters.
At last envy, loving a lofty mark, and not knowing the goodness and purity that were her guide, sought some explanation of Annie’s quiet reserve which ungratified curiosity magnified into many vague surmises, and which were now taking the form of unpleasant rumor. Annie at last became conscious of the false position in which she appeared, and which was chiefly due to the presence in camp of a handsome young lady having no ostensible object for her stay.
Thanksgiving and Christmas passed with good dinners sent to the soldiers by the liberality of citizens, who also sent agents to assist in the distribution. Some accessories were supplied by the Hospital Department, and the ladies in camp, with much taste and ingenuity in arrangement and decoration of the stockade dining barracks or “mess hall,” produced a really fine display, and gave to the ever unsatisfied convalescent soldier “a good square meal.”
Meanwhile, though with womanly tact Annie endeavored to hide her anxiety, my sympathy soon discovered “the worm in the bud” that saddened the eye and paled the cheek of the fair girl. Something must be done, and that quickly. A bold thought came to me; but extreme cases require heroic treatment, and after all we can but fail.
With assumed indifference, breaking in upon one of her reveries, I said, “Annie, you are unhappy.”
“Why no, Miss Smith, I am very happy,” she answered trying to believe herself sincere.
“Well, never mind, I know all about it, Annie, and am very sorry too, but mean to help you if you will allow me.”
With an expectant yet alarmed glance she exclaimed: “Why, what can you do?”