Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-05-05

then stopped discreetly
"They don't need me. l think they
would rather I should efface myself
Phew! Liza might have told me if there
were any snakes or things here. I hope
they won't spend the evening at it"
But it was not of themselves nor of
their hopes and fears that Randall Cham
bliss and the oyerseer's daughter were
talking in those first full moments. 1t
was Of Adrien, who had taken note of
Liza's coming by rising suddenly to his
feet and doffing his visorless cap with q
grace pitifully in contrast with his va
can't stare and his mendicant's garb.
Bringing his dusty trodden shoes heel
to heel, he remained standing rigidly
erect, with a military disposition of
his long, bronzed hands,
Liza buried her face in her hands.
Il cannot look at him. cannot en-
dure it. Oh, it is horrible"
1T is pretty rough. Rougher OH you
because SO unexpected. I suppose I'm
hardened to it. Poor old chap, I've seen
him coming to it gradually. They've
given him his discharge and granted me
furlough to bring the wreck home. 1t
was too much for him, the long march
es and the beastly feed and the tentless
nights 1t would have been better if he
could have found a friendly bullet and
been picked off entirely. The surgeons
said if there was any hope for him it
was to be found in giving him his old
surroundings 1 don't believe there Is
any myself.
All this in that slow, deliberate fash
ion of his, which gave Liza opportunity
to scan his face furtively by the flicker
ing flames. Across his forehead shin
ing red welt ran from temple to brow.
"And you?'
He caught her upward glance and
laughed The same sweet. lazy laugh,
trifio ironical, that he had bestowed
upon the tame happenings of the old
peaceful plantation days.
IA mere scratch, assure you. Heal
ed long ago. My credentials for the next
generation. call it my beauty spot"
Then back TO Adrien.
II had hoped you would come.
could rely upon You for not getting hys-
terical over this bad business. wanted
to tell you all about him, and-I want
ed to see you. wanted to ask you for
some word of comfort to take back to
camp with me, Liza. 1t is dismal work,
my dear, fighting on the losing side
with never a word or glimpse Of tho
dear ones we've left behind us. The
bluecoats have the best of us there. They
are not cut off from their all. If they
have wounded comrade to take home
OF a done up chap like poor old Strong
there, they don't have to stink through
the fields and the byways like runaway
slaves. But did not come back here to
whimper over bad job. For it is a bad
job, an Internally bad one. To end
when-God only knows y
ITO end how, rathcr?"
"In defeat Sure! Bitter! IHev!tabla"
Adrien, finding himself unnoticed,
had resumed his former position and
his singing The sound Of girls sobs
mingled with tho plaintive melody.
Randall gently drew her hands into his
clasp once more.
Dear little girl, don't. This is more
nerve trying lan the whistling OF bull
lets. I've risked good deal, Liza, for
the sake of these few moments. | could
not 90 to you at the house ycnder, fer
as we were plodding along tho river
bank yesterday, hidden by the willows.
three transports loaded with troops
passed us. Doubtless Scssumsport j. al
ready occupied, and tho bluccoats vii!
be swarming tomorrow over Sans Souci.
1t would have gone hard with both
households if it had been known you
had sheltered rebel tonight, 80 l sent
Abe with that mysterious note, as
vaguely worded as possible, to fetch
you. could not tell how many traitors
were about you" "
'None at ALL" Liza said, composing
herself with gasp. "Uncle Dolbear