The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1896-10-23

passion; ''you ought to know how |
feel, but I've staid with you for Aunt
Emily's and Georges sake
81 am very grateful, said the young
officer slowly, 'and am very sorry to
have caused you SO much additional
pain. Please don't think you must
stay with me any more, even for Mrs.
Carr and George
'Thank you, Colonel Gray, you are
very good | shall avail myself of
your kind permission," and she swept
scornfully by him into the house, and
50 out of sight and hearing.
He sat alone the balance of the after
noon. The children crept around the
porch but he made no sign. ''Reckon
Marse Cunnel he mighty sleepy to-day"
they whispered. But he was fighting
4 hard battle. Troops of memories
and beautiful face and tender voice
meant more than forced interest in a
sick man. Why once when she had
asked him what he would do with the
ring he was making, he had answered
in flash of daring, I'll give it to you
if You'll let me-" And she had turned
red and white and with shy, downcast
eyes, had let him try it on her finger.
Oh, yes, he had remembered it all He
opened his eyes and looked curiously
at the homely little ring with its rude
carving; there were the letters 81. G."
and 81 L." He felt himself sinking
back into the old horrible empty space.
When he opened his eyes again the
plantation seemed to be waking. Down
the road was small cloud of dust
which grew larger and horseman
came in sight, followed by another and
another. They rode up to the house
talking and laughing. He could see
their gray uniforms through the vines,
and hear the clank of their swords, and
at their head rode George Carr.
There was wild and joyful scene
when mother and son met. Julia came,
graceful and beautiful. The tired men
threw themselves on the grass or sat
on the steps, but no one noticed the
sick man in the quiet corner ofthe ver-
anda behind the screen of vines. The
whole place was astir and throbbing
with preparations for royal meal ''foh
Narse George and he's sojars." When
they returned from supper the moon
was rising. 1t flooded the lawn and
gave a more than earthly charm to the
house and its surroundings. John
Gray sat motionless. In the joy and
excitement he was forgotten. lfJulia
thought of him, no one knew it. She
sparkled and glowed as she moved
among the soldiers. and her tones were
sweet and caressng as mothers. He
knew those tOnes-none better.
go, Julia" called George, "most OF
the boys are from Maryland. You
must sing your song for them, and he
conducted her with grand air to the
veranda steps The soldiers sat in
hushed groups. The moonlight shone
full on the beautiful face as she raised
it to the stars and sang with all her
soul in her voice, the passionate ap-
peal that reused every war-like feel.
ing in the breasts of her audience. She
came to the last verse:
81 hear the distant thunder-hum,
| Maryland, my Maryland!
The Old Liues' bugle, fife and drum,
Maryland, my Maryland!
She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb,
Huzza! She spurns the Northern scum!
She bIeathes, she buns she'll come. she II come!
Maryland, my Maryland"
Every man leaped to his feet and
rang his sword in its scabbard. Then
came burst of applause and they
crowded to the steps. Proud and hap
py, she took their thanks and praises
like queen, but as she turned away
with swelling heart, her glance fell
upon white, haggard face, whose eyes
met hers with 4 burning gaze that held
all love, all pleading, all hoplessness
Her own faltered for an instant, then
she turned away and talked gaily tc
the Confederate soldiers. But she
knew 4 servant had come to take the
helpless man to his room, and above
the laughter and merry voices, she
heard the sound of Il crutch and Il STEP
that moved slowly and feebIy up the
stairs and along the nall.
In the interest and admiration caused
by her beauty and singing, the soldiers
heard highly colored version of hel
story Some one had read an account
of it at the time.
"By Jove! we'll hunt him ont and
, hang him! No soldiers death fol
him! Gray! We've heard of his cav.
airy charges. Wen hang him!' y swort
, the-hot headed youths.
The house grew quiet before mid
, night When he was sure they were
) all sleeping, Colonel Carr went to his
mothers room.
"Mother," he said, "we must get
Gray at once and secretly, too. The
men are so aroused over Julia and hel
wrongs that | couldn't control them