Wright High School - Chronicle Yearbook (New Orleans, LA)

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Again, and more fully Jocelyn repeated her version of the inci- dent. When she had finished the General stood in grave silence for a moment. ' I am sure you have spoken truly ; though perhaps you have the whole incident trifling, and hold that your part in it is of no censequence. He bowed ; Jocelyn curtseyed deeply. She said nothing but the look she gave him was full of gratitude, and he smiled back in sympathy and understanding. Her father, however, was not so easily satisfied. A week later Jocelyn returned to Washington to take up her residence with an elderly aunt. Nearly a year passed; the light hearted Jocelyn was now a woman. Coldly and proudly, yet sadly she moved in the highest circles of Washington Society. But, try as she might, Jocelyn could not for- get that one confederate soldier. Not even his name was known to her, yet his image was stamped upon her mind indelibly. She was torn by her passionate ideals : she admitted to hersilf that at least she admired, if not loved, this southerner; but she was r northerner, she was the daughter of a northern general. Again and again she told herself that she must put such ideas of love from her mind, but she found it impossible. At last came the news of the capture of Richmond, and of the surrender at Appomattox. With it came her father. On the after- noon of the following day, a caller, Stanley Lee, was an- nounced. Turning graciously to receive him, she saw before her, her Southern lover. For a mo- ment everything was blurred be- fore her eyes, she felt his arms about her, she heard passionate words upon his lips, then steady- ing herself, she drew back firmly. Don ' t, she cried, Don ' t, for heaven ' s sake, you make it too hard, I cannot bear it. You must go — you are a Rebel . No , his voice was agonized, No, I cannot. You do love me. - You must marry me. No , she repeated, I cannot. Then, he said gently, Do not make it final. For two years I will remain here, constantly near you. Promise that the moment you find your convictions altered, you will tell me. Promise! I do promise ' she said, if ever I can see my way clear and honorable, I will let you know, by placing, at sunset, a red ribbon upon the garden gate. She paused, then and now — good- bye. Sobbing, she left the room. That same day there came the gratifying message that that eve- ning the President and his wife would dine with them. The guests arrived punctually. After some conservation, the General arose to show his guests over the grounds. Taking Mrs. Lincoln ' s arm, he left Jocelyn to follow

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' Oh Father in Heaven. I had ahiiost forgotten ; what am I doing? Turning she said, You are a Rebel, you are my enemy, yet I, I. the daughter of General Merideth am aiding in treason , she laughed bitterly. Go , she said, before it is too late. Go, or I may repent . ' One moment, he picked her handkerchief from the floor. ' ' This, he said i courteously, May I take it with me? Yes, she answered wearily, and then her manner changed quickly. Fly, fly before it too late; do you not realize it is death to remain? I go , he said, then taking her hand and he kissed it reverently, and, with a last gaze in those wonderful eyes ,he turned and slipped silently down the dark stariway by which he had enter- ed ; turning Jocelyn sank half fainting upon the seat beside her. A, few moments passed and Jocelyn drew herself together. A glance along the gallery was suf ficient to assure her that in the excitement, and under cover of the dark shadows, she had re- mained unnoticed. Turning to the same dark stairs, she ran swiftly down to the ballroom, and joined her former compan- ions. She allowed herself to be claimed for several of the follow- ing dances. Then an officer stod before her, His Excellency, General Meri- deth, wishes ot see you at once. Feigning surprise, Jocelyn arose and once again made her way to her father ' s office. She found him in the center of the room ; beside him was the visit- ing commander and about him a circle of officers. Curtseying low, she stod before him inquir- ingly. Jocelyn, he said sternly, 1 command you to tell all you know concerning this matter. I don ' t quite comprehend, she replied, again feigning sur- prise. Do you mean about the robber I discovered? Yes, he answered shortly, The robber, the Rebel, or the spy, as you wish it, who has es- caped from our hands. Oh — then he was really a Rebel and did — Interrupting coldly, her father said, I want the story. Oh, but there is no story, ' Jocelyn cried, I just came up here to look for my fan, and I saw someone by the desk. I screamed and the sergeant rushed in. I told him what had taken place, and then as I was nearly fainting, I left the room with my companion. • Her father shrugged his shoul- ders. I think General, that you had better take charge of this and question the girl. This con- cerns me too nearly, he bowed. The General smiled acquies- ence. Tell me the story once more, and this time in detail.

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with the President. Soon the couples became separated. Then Jocelyn led the President into the conservatory. As they strolled along the aisles, na utral- ly enough the conversation turned into political channels. Then President Lincoln spoke of his cherished plan for helping the Southern States. He mentioned these so kindly and lovingly that Jocelyn looked at him in amaze- ment. But, President Lincoln, I thought it was our duty to sever all relationship with these Rebels — I — I, she paused, then con- tinued slowly, Oh, President Lincoln, am I wrong? Tell me — would I be a traitor, would I be wicked, if I loved a Southern man? The President looked upou her kindly, laying his hand upon her arm, he spoke gently: My daughter, the Southern people are our kinsmen. They fought for an ideal ; it is not for us to judge them. If you love a man, enough to marry him, he must possess but three qualities — he must be a man who is clean, he must be honorable, he must be strong. Remember this, my daughter; and may God bless you. Awe stricken , Jocelyn gazed upon his face. Then she walked slowly to the garden gate, un- pinned a re,d iribbon from the throat of her dress, and tied this upon the post. For a moment she stood gazing at the slowly sinkinof sun. Then a door across the way was thrown open, a fig- ure rushed across the road. It was Stanley. It is sunset! You are by the gate! There is a red ribbon! he said, does it mean, does it mean — She nodded dumbly. With a leap he was over the low wall. Im- petuously he extended his arms, but she shook her head, dropping her eyelids coquettishly. No, sir, she cried. You must court me properly first. Besides, she continued seriously, I do not mean that I accept you, but that my scruples concerning Southern men have been removed, and by no less a personage than the President him- self. Come, you must meet him. Together they approached the place where the President was still standing. With a few simple words, Jocelyn made the situation plain to each. Then she said, Stanley, you must seek permis- sion of Father to visit me, and turning she added : President, won ' t you be so kind as to intimate to father such views as you have expressed to me? Then she led them tO ' a pleasant spot where her father and Mrs. Lincoln were seated. Having in- troduced Stanley, she turned to Mrs. Lincoln. Come, let us leave the men to themselves. Let me show you something of mine. It was late that night when all the company had departed. Then