The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-08

goes"
By the time the sweet daffodils in the yard
in front of Jasmins home were struggling with
the churlish winds of March and the rushing
pack of dogs, whose numbers and righteousness
seemed to have increased during the KunnePs
absence, Capts. Barnard and Grimsted were
riding up the Valley of the Licking toward
Jessamine County, at the head of two fine COM
panies, which had been detached from the regi-
ment and the main body of the army to " scout
through the country, capture or drive away
struggling parties of the enemy, and give pro-
lection to the loyal people,"
In spite of the assiduous nursing Of Jasrnin
and the portly Mrs. Sutton, Crittenden Gamma
ways convalescence had been provokingly slow.
The end of the Winter found him not fairly
recovered, but fretting because he was to have
no share in the great struggle which was GER
tain to open as soon as the weather permitted.
He had much else to make him unhappy.
Jasmin had been kind, exceedingly kind and
attentive, but in the very excess of this he felt
that he detected the thing of all else in the
world that he would not have there. He had
been intensely Inundated by the character of
his hurt, and still more that she had actually
seen him, sword in hand, struck down by
plebeian handspike in the grasp of a non COM
Blatant in citizens clothes. Sir Walter SCOTS
novels were then the chief literary pabu-
South, and his heroes and heroines formed
models which they all aspired to resemble in
some degree. What" Gannaway would ask
himself, would have been Rowena's opinion
of 1vanhoe if she had see him, in his knightly
array, knocked down by an ox-goad in the
hands Of Gurtb, the swineherd ?" So he saw
in the perfect frankness of Jasmin's kindness
to him an obliteration of all the affection and
esteem which might else have made such kind
ness checked by maidenly reserve and he
brooded over it necessarily, and upon some
deed of desperation that would help towards
replacing him upon the pedestal of knightliness
from which he felt he had been cast down by
Grimsted's well-wielded capstan-bar. He was
too proud to let hint of this appear in any
conversation with Jasmin, but it gnawed at his
heart in every waking hour. After he was
able to be on his feet he kept out of Jasmin's
sight and company as much as possible, busy
ing himself about the stables and fields, to make
good, as far as possible, the ill-effects of the
Kunnefs prolonged absence.
"You don't seem to be happy in our society,
cousin" said Jasmin to him one day when he
was more restless than usual. The bright sun
shine had tempted her out on the porch to hail
the coming Spring, and her eyes were not
on her lover, but they marked how the
naked wands of branches on the willows that
margined the little creek were turning first
golden and then green under the gentle wooing
of the warm beams. "That's hardly compli-
mentary. Many man would give much to
enjoy your privileges, sir"
II certainly appreciate them as much as any
man in the world; but, then, who is it says:
II could not love thee. dear, SO much,
Loved not honor more"?
There, that's about the only bit of poetry /
know, and / don't suppose have quoted that
correctly enough to suit young lady just
from the seminary"
tod I,,k r
don't see its application. ! can't sec what your
honor has to do with making the most of our
society while you have the opportunity"
You know that l ought to be with my regi-
ment instead of loungng around here"
"Well, can't say that Pm very much i'm
pressed with the necessity of your being with
your regiment. Our people don't seem to be
doing much anywhere but run away from the
Yankees, or get caught when they don't run,
like they were at Doneson and Island No. TO-
I've great respect for your prowess Sir Knight"
she added teasingly, "but / don't believe that
your presence would alter the result"
She only meant to rally him good humor-
eddy, but in his state of mind it was pouring
acid into an open wound. A bitter reply leaped
to his lips, but he controlled himself
Besides" she continued, not noticing how
he was feeling, "you oughtn't go now any
way. The doctor strongly advises your keep
ing quiet here for couple of weeks more, at
least"
"The doctor is not in the way at all, he an
swered. :" If he was the only obstacle / would
we left weeks ago, or as soon as I was able to
get out of bed"
"What is it, then? ! know you can't be
staying on account of Mrs Sutton or me. We'd
like to flatter ourselves that you are, but your
actions wont let u.s."
"You know that I'm on parole, and must
respect that"
80, that can be arranged easily enough, can't
it? Mr.. Barnard can make that all right, can't
he? If you're SO terribly anxious I'll write to
him about it. think have his address some
where. I'd like to hear from him any way to |
know how he's getting along"
The thought angered Gannaway till he trem- |
bled so that he caught hold of the piazza. column
for support.
"Not for the world, he said. "Have you