Names in the Sand

By Carla Swarner

An incurable tomboy, Rose Stanton faces unforeseen struggles as the Civil War rages all around her. She scorns the ladies finishing school she is sent to in New Orleans, feeling that she should be able to help in the conflict. To make matters worse, her best friend Mark had joined the Confederate army, and left before she could clear up a misunderstanding that could destroy their friendship forever. When her twin sister Diana vanishes after they have an intense argument, Rose is left to wonder if she will ever see her again. A series of unexpected events lands Rose in a Union prison accused of treason. Rose has always been a strong Christian, but will her faith be able to withstand the tests before her now? Will she ever see her loved ones again? And will Diana ever find the peace she is searching for?

Mark Corrigan suddenly finds his lifelong friend is growing into a lovely young woman, but he has not trusted any woman since his mother left him as a child. Can he trust the changes he sees in Rose? Struggling with uncertainty over their friendship, he faces additional difficulties as he heads off to battle. A change in military plans will put his life in even more danger and cause his brother, Joel, to make a serious mistake. Even his friends believe he has betrayed them. With his own life being threatened, and his brother missing, Mark finds the only one he has left to turn to is God. Will the truth of what he has been assigned to do ever be uncovered? Will the war cost him everything he has ever cared about?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: Jun 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781462405633

Carla Swarner

Carla (Brewer) Swarner was born in Mexico City, Mexico. The child of missionary parents, she grew up in Bolivia, South America. A graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, she now resides in Georgia with her husband, Bill, and their daughter, Laura.

Book preview

Prologue

Rose Stanton sat motionless on her horse by the small brook that wandered through her father’s land. It was a warm August evening, with just enough of a breeze to add a hint of freshness to the air. The moonlight seemed to inspire nature’s choir. She sighed contentedly, listening to the melodious chirping of the crickets as they struggled to be heard above the steady croaking of the bullfrogs. On nights like these she loved to ride around the plantation alone.

She rarely had a chance to go riding anymore and she missed it. She had always loved the outdoors, and up until a few months before she had been allowed to roam the plantation at will. Unfortunately, the threat of war and her sixteenth birthday had caused her father to agree with her mother at long last. It was time, they had declared, for her to behave as a young lady in her position was expected to behave. That, of course, meant she could no longer spend hours in the sun or off alone unchaperoned. The summer had drawn out unbearably as she endured countless lessons from her mother and sister on etiquette and stitched endless quantities of dainty samplers. Tea parties and dances too numerous to count had taken away any chance she had of slipping off on her own. Her mother, unable to understand that her youngest daughter did not enjoy the usual entertainments for ladies her age, had slathered Rose in lemon juice to lighten her daughter’s unseemly tan and fretted for days over her sun bleached hair, never noticing that her child was unhappy.

Even worse had been her mother’s insistence that Rose was no longer to discuss politics or read the paper with her father. The biggest events that have happened in my lifetime, and I can’t even read about them, Rose fretted. The War Between the States had started in April of that year. Most of Madison had expected it to be won quickly. Many of the men had enlisted right away and joined in the fighting, but several of them had waited thinking the war would not last long.

Today had been the most difficult day yet as Mrs. Stanton tried to cram in a few final lessons and beauty treatments before the ball that evening. It was to be a combination coming-of-age party for all the young ladies in town who had turned sixteen that year and farewell to all the brave young gentlemen who would willingly have courted them if they were not heading off to war the next morning. Rose was dreading the evening ahead. Unable to take any more, she had finally stolen out of the house after dinner and headed to the stables. I just have to go for a short ride, or I shall lose my mind, she told herself as she led her favorite mare out of her stall. I shall be back before they even realize I have left.

A couple of hours before the ball was to start Mrs. Stanton had instructed her daughters to lie down and rest. She would have been horrified if she had discovered that Rose never even went up to her room. However, out on her favorite hill once more, Rose was at peace. This was where she often came to read and think. She loved being able to gaze off into the distance for miles.

Most of the land she could see from the hilltop was her father’s land. She had grown up here and dearly cared for every inch of the place. Yet never before had she seen it as she did now. In the light of the moon the beauty of the well-tended cotton fields and the luxurious green of the trees around them seemed almost mystical, like a dream she did not want to end, but knew in her heart would not last much longer. Light wisps of fog had already settled in some of the lowest points of the plantation adding to the dreamlike quality. Strains of music drifted across the rich cotton fields and for a moment they blended unnoticeably with the sounds of nature. Slowly Rose became aware of the added sounds and remembered the ball. It must be the musicians preparing for this evening, she thought with a sigh. I had better get back. Mother will be furious if she discovers I have been out here on my own. Rose did not understand her mother’s desire to keep things as they had been. A coming-of-age ball hardly seemed appropriate under the present circumstances, yet the war against the North had only made her mother more determined than ever to cling to the traditions of the past.

There was one other tradition Rose had dearly hoped the war would upset, but just as she had stood her ground on the coming-out ball, Mrs. Stanton was still planning to send her daughters to Madame Dupier’s School for Young Ladies in New Orleans. Women are not involved in this silly disagreement, so it will make no difference where you are while the men settle their disputes, she had stated firmly when Rose had mistakenly rejoiced that they would not have to go to the school.

Rose sighed and reluctantly turned her horse toward home. Thinking about the finishing school was too depressing and would do her no good since even her father had said she must go. I would certainly prefer to be going with the boys tomorrow. I would show those dirty Yankees a thing or two, Rose thought defiantly.

The music became gradually louder as she rode up the driveway toward the Georgian mansion. She rode around to the back door, where an elderly man came quickly to take her horse. You best get on in there, Miss Rose, your mama’s gonna be mighty upset if’n you’re late, the old man scolded lightly as he held out a gnarled hand to help her down from the horse.

I’m going, Moses, I’m going, Rose laughed merrily, ignoring the outstretched hand and jumping down in a most unladylike fashion.

There you is, Miss Rose, a plump, gray haired woman exclaimed in exasperation as Rose entered the kitchen, We’ve been lookin’ an’ lookin’ all over for you, we sure has. You get yourself on upstairs and get dressed now, you hear child?

Nobody is even here yet, Mammy, Rose exclaimed.

Thank the Lord, there ain’t no one ‘round able to see you ridin’ in them britches, an’ bare back on your horse. You sure enough cain’t go to no fancy party with your hair all mussed up like ’tis.

I can’t ride a horse in a dress, Mammy.

Humph. You could ifn’ you rode like a lady, Mammy growled impatiently. Get along with you, child. I’ll be up to help you in just a minute.

Rose hurried up to her room and started to prepare for the festivities. Mammy came up as promised and brushed Rose’s long soft hair until it shone like copper, fastening part of it in back with a large blue velvet bow and leaving the rest to ripple in silky smooth waves to her waist. The light blue evening gown she wore was trimmed in darker blue velvet and hung in full shimmering folds of satin to the floor. There was a bit of a struggle as they worked Rose into the corsets that were necessary for her to fit in the gown. However she was soon dressed and a matching blue velvet sash was fastened securely around her waist. Rose grimaced at the mirror. She would much rather be wearing the bloomers she was used to. At least I will get to see Mark tonight, she thought with a smile. She had hardly seen him all summer because of her mother’s insistence that she stay out of the sun. He probably won’t even recognize me in a dress, but I am glad mother agreed to invite him.

Mark Corrigan had been Rose’s closest friend ever since she could remember. Her mother had protested the friendship for years, but fortunately for Rose her father had interceded on their behalf and forbidden her mother to interfere, stating that the only reason she disapproved of Mark was because his father was not as wealthy as those of the other young men Mrs. Stanton did find acceptable. Mr. Stanton had declared quite firmly that Rose and Mark were to be left alone for he refused to be a party to such obvious conceit.

Mark had befriended Rose after an older boy had run up from behind her and tripped her on her first day of school. She had managed to hold back the tears and get back up bravely, but Mark had seen the hurt in her eyes. Leave her alone, you rotten bully! he had defended her when the boy began to taunt her further. At lunch break that day Rose had wandered off by herself to a bench around the back of the schoolhouse knowing her twin sister would not want her to join the group of girls she was with. Even though Rose and Diana were twins they had gone their separate ways almost from the day they were born. Mark had watched her from a distance and finally approached her.

Why aren’t you over with the other girls? he had asked with genuine concern. She had just shrugged and he cocked his head to the side studying her for a minute before commenting. It is hard to start something new, isn’t it? The other girls are probably just as nervous as you are though. They seem to have taken your sister right in.

Rose had smiled sadly and shaken her head as she answered, They don’t want me around. I get into too much trouble. They think I play too rough and I usually end up all dirty. Most girls don’t like dirt much, you know. I guess I just don’t know how to play the way they do. His expression of surprise had caused her to explain more than she had intended. As she explained he had sat down beside her. Somehow they had found themselves talking and laughing together and, although he was four years older, they had been inseparable ever since.

Her sister’s whining voice interrupted the pleasant memory harshly. Anyone would think that you had never seen yourself in a mirror before, Rose. For heaven’s sake, hurry up. Everyone is already arriving.

Rose sighed and quickly finished getting ready. It would not do any good to remind her sister that this was the first time she had worn an elegant evening gown. She would hardly understand the mixture of anticipation and anxiety Rose was feeling. The simple calico dresses Rose had worn to church on Sundays in an effort to appease her mother had been loose and fairly comfortable. She was a little uncertain how to move in her present restraints. Besides, Mark had never seen her all dressed up. She hoped he would know that she was still the same friend she had always been.

Rose, please be considerate of your sister, dear, her mother prompted from the doorway. She is anxious to be downstairs and most of the guests are already here. We are about to introduce the debutantes. She paused for a moment before adding, I want the two of you to come down together. Wait until your names are called before you start down the staircase. It will be a much more dramatic entrance.

Are Ruth and Jacqueline here yet? Rose asked, trying to gain a few more minutes to pull herself together.

All the girls are here and waiting in the cloakroom. I am going down to tell the announcer you are all ready. Rose, you and Diana will be announced last since I am hosting the party. Now I want the two of you to go join the rest, and Rose, please do not embarrass your sister. This evening may not be meaningful to you, but Diana has looked forward to it for months now.

More like years, Rose thought to herself as the two girls joined their friends in the cloakroom. The usual chattering was noticeably absent as they stood around nervously waiting for the announcer to start calling out their names. One by one each girl was introduced to the waiting guests. The music played, the dancers twirled, and the party promised to be everything a young girl dreams about.

Rose stood silently beside Diana waiting for their turn. She was grateful that her mother had decided to have the two of them go down together. As nervous as she always was in a crowd, she was sure she would have tripped and fallen all the way down the stairs if she were by herself. She would never have told Diana, but Rose greatly admired her sister’s ability to maintain a calm and poised manner. Her appearance of confidence had often given Rose the courage she needed when faced with situations such as these.

Miss Diana Stanton and Miss Rose Stanton, the announcer proclaimed at long last. Together Rose and Diana started down the long elegant staircase. They made a striking picture as the two of them stood on the top step and gazed down at the people watching them from the hallway. Diana stood with Rose briefly to enhance the effect, then without a word to her sister, she smilingly floated down the long staircase and laughingly took the arm of an impatient suitor. Rose followed slowly behind her, glad to be somewhat hidden from the curious eyes of the remaining bachelors.

Awkwardly conscious of every move she made, she was almost to the bottom step when her mother, watching from the front door, suddenly realized no one was stepping out to claim her youngest child and quickly searched the group to find someone suitable. Where is that friend of hers? Mark isn’t it? Not exactly suitable perhaps, but he should not object to one dance with a friend. The distraught mother glanced around anxiously and finally approached an older gentleman, one of her own former suitors, who was still unattached. Henry, my dear, she greeted him with a smile. Do me a favor and take Rose in to dance, won’t you please? She would feel absolutely miserable if she was the only debutante without a dance partner, and I just can’t seem to find that friend of hers.

It would be an honor, Caroline. Henry bowed stiffly and stepped out just as Rose reached the last step. He held his arm out to her and Rose looked up at him startled.

Oh, Uncle Henry, she smiled up at him and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor.

Your mother felt you would want to dance, he explained stiffly.

Thank-you, Uncle Henry. It would perhaps have looked awkward if I had been the only one who did not dance, mother is keen for appearances you know. I really would not have minded, though I am glad to dance my first dance with you.

You are a sweet child, Rose. It is difficult to imagine you as the daughter of your mother. Diana is far more like her, the hardened bachelor stated bitterly.

Rose was used to her Uncle Henry’s critical comments about women, and laughed lightly as she answered, I should think that you would know me better than to call me sweet, Uncle Henry. I seem to remember countless times when even you have reproached me for being too rough.

His loud guffaw drew the attention of the dancers around them and he hurriedly apologized to a tall thin man whose expression seemed particularly grim. Young lady, don’t you know you will get me in trouble causing me to laugh like that? Mr. Hardin obviously has no sense of humor. Heavens, isn’t a person supposed to laugh at a dance?

Perhaps he is just jealous. After all, look who he has to dance with. Mrs. Hardin is about the most impossible woman I ever met.

Tut, tut, Rose. One must not speak of their elders so, Uncle Henry reproved with a wide grin that told Rose he agreed with her wholeheartedly. Ah, he added as the music changed to another dance, It has been a pleasure dancing with you Rose, dear. However I must admit that the refreshment table over yonder has a far greater attraction for me just now. Would you care to join me for a bite?

I wouldn’t miss it for the world. You know how I love good food, and Mammy really outdid herself preparing for this ball.

They made their way hastily to the far wall of the ballroom where the food had been set up. Both Rose and Uncle Henry had soon piled their plates high with the fabulous rich treats her mother was famous for serving. A chuckle made her turn to find Mark standing behind her. I almost thought that you were Diana in all those fancy trimmings, but as soon as I saw you head for the food I knew it was you. It’s no wonder you have no use for fancy dresses. The way you eat it’s a wonder they were even able to get you in one, he teased good-naturedly.

Rose wrinkled her nose at him and smiled, Very funny, Mark. At least I don’t faint at the drop of a hat like some girls do.

Mark grinned, You are most certainly healthy. He laughed outright at Rose’s indignant expression. I thought perhaps you might rather join us than dance, unless, of course, you are really enjoying this charade. The rest are all out on the terrace. Would you like to come? At Rose’s eager nod, for her mouth was too full to answer, Mark placed his hand on her elbow and gently guided her through the crowd.

Rose glanced up at him curiously. He had never before treated her to any of the small courtesies he would give a lady. She had always been just one of the guys. She might have commented on his behavior, but they had already reached the terrace where several of their friends were gathered. Feeling at once more comfortable, Rose eagerly joined in the conversation and forgot to wonder further about Mark.

Mark, on the other hand, was unusually quiet. He stood silently watching Rose, uncertain about the changes he already saw in her. He had never seen her with her hair out long. She had always tied it back in a long braid and he found himself surprisingly unsettled by the way the coppery streams waved and flowed like a sunlit river down her back. You would think I had never seen a girl’s hair before, Mark thought to himself in disgust. His eyes wandered out to the dance floor where a young girl with the same copper hair was smiling provocatively into the eyes of yet another helpless victim. Interesting how two people can be so alike and yet so different, he thought absently as his gaze shifted back to Rose. She will no doubt become just like Diana after a year in Madame Dupier’s school, he thought bitterly. He could not help wishing that things did not have to change. Rose had been his best friend for so long he did not know what he would do without her company, but she was a girl and soon she would be a young woman. He knew she was a Christian, but would it be enough to keep her from being like every other woman he had ever known? Mark had little use for women. In his experience there was not one that was trustworthy.

That fish did keep eating my bait and jumping back into the river, didn’t it Mark? He heard Rose’s question as if in a dream.

Before he could answer Joel snorted, Come on Rose, you can’t really expect us to believe that. You probably put your worms on too close to the edge of your hook, he taunted her mercilessly.

Rose lifted her chin stubbornly. I know how to bait a hook, she declared.

Tom chuckled, Fortunately the hooks you know how to bait catch fish. Some of these girls here really believe in taking the Bible literally the way they are fishing for men.

Paul nodded agreement, I know what you mean. I just barely escaped having to dance with Elise Hathaway. She fluttered her eyelashes so hard at me when I went to get a drink and some more of this great cake that I thought for sure they were going to fall right onto my plate. Not that Elise is such a terrible person, but I sure don’t need to get interested in a girl when I am about to head off for war.

Shucks, who cares about the old war? I just don’t ever want to get interested in a girl. I intend to stay at least ten feet from any of them at all times, Joel snorted.

Rose smiled mischievously, Oh, Joel, I hate to tell you this, but you aren’t even two feet away from one now! Anyhow, they are just behaving like perfect Southern ladies are expected to behave. After all, aren’t you the one who is always telling me I should be more like them? She completely missed Mark’s quick glance and the slight frown her comment brought to his brow.

You don’t count, Rose, Tom cut in. We all know you wouldn’t begin to understand the nuances of coquetry.

Joel smirked cruelly, I can just see you Rose, hanging upside down from a tree branch fluttering your eyelashes at some poor duffer standing below.

Rose frowned as Mark, Tom, and Paul all joined in the laughter. So, you think I wouldn’t even know how to attract a man? I could do just as well as any of the other girls if I really wanted to. Not that I would ever want to, Rose told herself firmly. It hurt her pride unendurably to have her friends laughing at her.

Mark smiled at Rose with a gleam in his eye and teasingly challenged, Really? Go ahead, Rose, there is a whole room full of men just waiting for you to practice on. Who is the poor fool whose heart you want to tangle up and twist to pieces? he drawled lazily as he motioned in the general direction of the dancers, but his dark eyes were watching her closely.

Somehow Rose knew he was challenging her to prove she was different from the rest, but she was too angry to think clearly. Her eyes flashed defiantly at him for just an instant. Then, to Mark’s astonishment, her expression changed. She lifted her chin just slightly and smiled in the most provocative fashion she could. Mark felt his heart skip a beat. His face turned pale as she leaned closer and slowly slid her arms around his neck. Her eyes sparkled recklessly. Mark caught his breath, unable to look away from her as she declared in a low, husky voice, Why the only heart I want is yours, of course, darling. For just a moment time stood still as Mark stared down at Rose blankly, uncertainly. Rose backed away almost instantly, her face turning a brilliant red as she realized what she had just done.

Joel coughed nervously, and Tom’s mouth hung open stupidly.

I think that the Traveling Stagecoach Acting Company is looking for a few new actresses, Paul stated gruffly hoping to lessen the tension they were all feeling.

She would need her sister to give her a few more lessons first, Tom quipped. He gave Mark a worried glance. He was still staring at Rose as if he had never seen her before.

Thoroughly embarrassed by her performance, Rose smiled wryly, I am rather hopelessly ignorant when it comes to being a coquette, aren’t I?

The color had returned to Mark’s face but his voice was strained as he commented gravely, I don’t know. I thought you did surprisingly well. He saw the quick tears that threatened to spill from Rose’s stricken eyes, and relented slightly as he added hoarsely, Next time you decide to pull a trick like that, warn me first, won’t you, Rose?

She looked up at him through wide, tear filled eyes and Mark felt his heart constrict unbearably as he continued to watch her warily. The others had all wandered away leaving only the two of them on the terrace. Please forgive me, Mark. You know I would never really play the cruel heart games the other girls do. I could never hurt anyone, much less you, Mark. You are my best friend, Rose pleaded earnestly.

Mark did not trust himself to answer her. His gaze drifted unseeingly to the maze of dancers that circled around the room indoors. Rose was waiting for him to say something, but he could not think of anything that would erase the way he had felt when she had suddenly put her arms around him. His eyes came back to her and he smiled weakly. Then without a word he took her hand and led her out on the dance floor.

In his arms for the first time, Rose felt Mark’s tension and knew that the special friendship they had always enjoyed was suddenly strained and forced. This should have been the happiest moment of her life. Mark had never danced with anyone before, and she was well aware of the jealous glances some of the older girls were casting her way. She tried desperately to make up for her faux pas, but every time she thought he was relaxing again his eyes would meet hers with a deep questioning gaze that deeply disturbed her and made her stomach do flip-flops. She wondered what he was thinking, but knew better than to ask. He was not one for sharing his feelings openly. She had undoubtedly hurt him deeply and she wished fervently that she could unsay what she had said. Rose knew all about Mark’s mother and how horribly she had hurt her husband and children when she left them for a wealthier man. Of all the people who knew Mark, Rose should have known better than to torment him as she had. She had watched through the years as his father’s bitterness had gradually transferred itself to Mark and Joel. She had always known that it was only because he still considered her a child that they were friends at all.

She glanced up at him as they circled the floor again. He seemed to be in a world of his own, completely unaware of his surroundings. She watched him closely as his jaw clenched and his arm tightened reflexively around her shoulder. If she could only take back the words! But Rose knew instinctively that Mark had suddenly seen his old friend become his most hated enemy… a woman. How could I hurt him like that? How could I behave just like all the other girls he despises so? I knew he was challenging me and I failed him. She wondered if he would ever be able to trust her again.

As the dance came to an end, he still had not said a word. She placed her hand on his arm. Mark, I… I… , she faltered uncertainly as he leaned down to hear her better, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. Please don’t let it ruin our friendship. You truly are my very best friend in the world. Her blue eyes filled with unaccustomed tears once again, and Mark reached up gently to wipe away the one that had strayed onto her cheek.

She really doesn’t know how lovely she is, Mark thought, how beguiling her eyes are. Surely she will never be like the others. She can’t be like them. She is too innocent. He didn’t smile as his eyes searched hers, It’s all right, Rose. You will always be my very best friend, too, no matter what happens. He paused for a minute, looking down at her uncertainly, and then looked away before she could read what he was feeling. She had an uncanny way of always knowing how he felt, and he was not sure how he felt himself right then. With one last wistful look he murmured, Goodbye, Rose, then abruptly turned and strode determinedly out the door.

Rose watched him go in silence, for once completely uncertain of Mark’s feelings.

Chapter 1

The sun seemed to beat down mercilessly after the heavy rains of the day before. Mark trudged with the rest of the men through the thick, sticky mud. It seemed that they were no closer to their destination today than they had been two weeks ago when they started.

He thought back over the past year since he had joined the 16th Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry. He had been assigned to company A along with Tom, Paul and Joel. They had gone through several months training before being assigned to Fort Jackson, where they had prepared to conquer the Union troops if they ventured to attack the Savannah port. While they waited, eager to join in the fight, they had prepared weapons and ammunition to send up to the battlefields. Although they knew that the work they were doing was important, the men grew increasingly restless. They wanted to be a part of the action, but the open battles they had signed up for remained further north. Finally, two weeks earlier they had been relieved of their duty at Fort Jackson by another company and told to travel post haste to Fort Henry, Tennessee, where Union troops were gathering against the Confederate army in preparation for yet another bloody battle.

The men had exulted that they were at last going to be able to have a turn at taking down the Yankees. For the first few days the thought of being able to join in the skirmish and help win the war had kept their spirits up, but the