Love—and—Death—a woman’s love, a soldier’s death.
A few days later, women were gathering in little groups about their homes and the boys and old men left in the city were congregated in the street.
Suddenly, as from a clear sky, the news has come—Sherman was coming. Mrs. Corbin and Helen and Hattie were at breakfast when the morning Chronicle came in and the news was read.
Sherman coming! Flee, hide your valuables, bury your silver! The few soldiers in the city had been ordered north to try to save the Confederacy there. The city was defenseless. Even the bells of St. Michael’s had been sent to Columbia for safety.
“I am glad Bessie is in Columbia,” Mrs. Corbin said, when it was read. “The little babe will be born in peace at least.” Bessie was the young bride of Jack Corbin.
“Mother,” said Hattie, “you and Helen must leave immediately.”
As though to emphasize her words, a cannon ball crashed through the house, whizzed by the speakers and penetrated into the cellar. In an instant they realized that it would have exploded if it were going to, and so sat quietly talking on, so used had Charleston grown to her sorrows.
“You must go immediately. I will get everything in order and follow later on.”
So they left in a few days, for Mrs. Corbin must needs be by Bessie, and Helen would go with her aunt.