Look Away (1995) by Coyle Harold

Author:Coyle, Harold [Coyle, Harold]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Major Sutton's apology snapped Mary Beth out of her stupor. The image of her bloody-headed father being held at gunpoint and the merriment that the rampaging soldiers derived from trampling their belongings underfoot brought back her anger. "Is it really Northern policy to wage war against defenseless civilians?"

Thrown off by Mary Beth's sudden change, Major Sutton shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Then, looking down at the floor, he shook his head. "No. At least, not the way I see it." Then he looked up at her again. The hurt expression and the shame were both obvious and sincere. "You must believe me, Miss McPherson, 1 don't want any part of this, the war and all. I'm just doing the best I can in a very, very bad situation."

"And those men. Was that the best they can do?"

"They are good men, Miss McPherson. God-fearing men, each and every one, with families just like yours. But this is war, a civil war. Those men no more want to be here, in Virginia, that you want us to be here."

"Then why in God's name," Mary Beth demanded, "do they behave like that? Is this what you would like our soldiers to do in your home?"

"They are angry, Miss McPherson." There was strength in Major Sutton's voice now, unrepentant strength. "Angry that they have been taken away from their homes and angry that this war is dragging on and on. They are angry about the manner in which the women of this town ignore them and even spit on them. Even I find myself enraged when I try to talk to a pretty woman like you but find nothing but hatred and scorn behind eyes that are as beautiful as any I've ever seen."

The mixing of his explanation and adoration for her beauty totally disarmed Mary Beth. As she had when she first saw him, Mary Beth found herself becoming lost in his eyes. Though she tried, she found herself unable to rally any anger against this handsome young man towering over her. Finally, she heaved a great sigh. "I suppose that you are right, Major Sutton."

After a moment of silence, he finally responded. "Is there any way. Miss McPherson, that I can make some amends to you, personally?"

There was no need to think long on that matter. "Yes," she said with a smile on her face. "I have been told that it is possible to pass letters through the lines to people in the South. Is that true?"

Shuffling his feet uneasily, Major Sutton nodded his head. "It is a practice that is discouraged, and it could present some problems for the one who is doing it, but yes, it is possible."

"Do you think that you could possibly arrange for a letter to be passed through the lines to a friend of mine?"

Major Sutton looked down at the floor, crestfallen. "To your fiancd, serving with Jackson?"

"My father told you?"

Sutton looked up into her eyes. "Your mother. I asked her how you came to know my first name, and she explained that it's your beau's first name also.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.