Fire Over Atlanta by Gilbert L. Morris Page A

Lori thought.
Every day she seems to get a
little weaker, but she never is discouraged. She’s really a wonderful woman
.
    “Have you heard from your parents, Lori?”
    “Oh, yes. They say the Yankees are still holding Tennessee. I suppose there’s no hope for the Confederacy there.”
    Aunt Grace sighed. “Such a terrible war. I wish it had never happened. What will happen to the poor South?”
    Lori at one time would have said quickly that the South had not lost the war. Now, however, the news was so bad that she no longer felt that way. Sherman was pursuing General Hood’s troops across Tennessee, and it was just a matter of time before the huge Union Army won over the smaller Confederate force.
    “I don’t think it can last much longer, Aunt Grace,” she said. “Soon it will all be over, and life can go on again.”
    Grace Holcomb’s eyes dimmed as she looked over at her niece. “I hope all goes well for you, Lori.” She nibbled at her toast and then asked, “What about these two young men that you keep talking about? Royal and Drake. Tell me some more about them.”
    Lori’s cheeks grew warm, and she laughed slightly. “Oh, you know how it is, Aunt Grace.”
    “It’s been a long time since I was a girl. But I still remember two boys that got into a fight over me out in the schoolyard.” She smiled gently. “I wonder where they are now. Probably in their graves, both of them. I think of them still. Have they fought over you yet, these two young men?”
    “Oh, yes, but I’m hoping they’ll stop such foolishness.”
    The two women talked while Mrs. Holcomb finished her breakfast.
    “This was so good, Lori. I don’t know how we’re going to manage for food in the future. I don’t have very much money left.”
    “Oh, Daddy gave me plenty of money.” Lori grinned, adding, “It’s all in Confederate money. I don’t know if the Yankees will let us use it or not. And that reminds me—I’ve got to go out and get some groceries.”
    “From what I hear from the ladies that come and visit, most of the shops are pretty bare, and it’s still dangerous for a young woman to be out.”
    “Royal’s coming by. He’ll escort me down to see what we can find. Now, I won’t be leaving you alone. Charlie will be here.”
    “Charlie. What an odd name for a young woman.” Mrs. Holcomb shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t know why she persists in calling herself that.”
    “I expect that’s just what she likes to be called. I tried to call her Charlene a few times, and she seemed very uncomfortable with it. I’ll have her check on you while Royal and I are getting the groceries.”
    When Royal appeared at the door, he was met by Charlie, wearing the same outfit he had seen on her the day she was captured. “Hello, Charlie!” he greeted her. “Is Lori here?”
    “Yep! She’s upstairs redd’n up. She sure is lookin’ forward to goin’ with you.”
    Charlie’s speech had a country flavor to it. Her cheeks were pink, and there was a cheerfulness about her that pleased Royal. Most girls he knew who hadhad Charlie’s troubles would not have handled them so well.
    Lori came in at that moment, wearing a light green dress and a straw hat with a flower pinned to the top. “I’m ready, Royal.”
    The two started for the door, and Lori remarked as she went out, “Charlie, would you check on Aunt Grace? Be sure that she has all she needs?”
    “Sure, I’ll do that,” Charlie agreed.
    Lori’s aunt was sitting up in bed reading the Bible that was propped on her lap when Charlie came in.
    “Got some lemonade for you, Miss Grace. Not cold, ‘cause we ain’t got no ice, but thought you might like it.”
    Mrs. Holcomb put aside the Bible and smiled at the tall girl. “Why, thank you, Charlene.” As she took the glass, she saw that the use of Charlie’s proper name had somehow embarrassed her. Sipping the lemonade, she studied the girl. The old woman’s sharp eyes went over the crisp, curly,