Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-05-12

then stopped discrectly.
"They don't need me. think they
would rather should efface myself.
Phewl Liza might have told me if there
were any snakes or things here. l hope
they won't spend tho evening at It,"
But it was not Of themselves nor Of
their hopes and fears that Randall Cham
bliss and the overseer's daughter were
talking in those first full moments. It
was of Adrien, who had taken note Of
Liza's coming by rising suddenly to his
feet and doffing his visorless cap with
grace pitifully in contrast with his va
cant stare and his mendicant's garb.
Bringing his dusty trodden shoes heel
to heel, he remained standing rigidly
erect, with q military disposition of
his long, bronzed hands
Liza buried her face in her hands.
II cannot look at him. I cannot en-.
dure it. Oh, it Is horrible.
ut is pretty rough. Rougher on 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
a furlough to bring the wreck home. It
was too much for him, the long march
es and the beastly feed and the tentloss
nights 1t would have been better if ho
could have found 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 gavo 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, a
trifle ironical, that ho had bestowed
upon the tame happenings Of tho old
peaceful plantation days.
"a mere scratch, assure you. Heal
cd long ngo. My credentials for the next
generation. call it my beauty spot. "
Then back to Adrien.
II had hoped you would come. I
could rely upon You for not getting hys-
terical over this bad business I wanted
to tell You all about him, and-I want
cd to see you l 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 word or glimpse of the
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 a wounded comrade to take home
or done up chap like poor old Strong
there, they don 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 bad
Job, an internally bad one. To end
when-t1od only knows.
ITO end how rather?"
I'm defeat. Surel Bitter Inevitable!"
Adrien, finding himself unnoticed,
had resumed HIS former position and
his singing. The sound Of girls sobs
mingled with the plaintive melody.
Randall gently drew her hands into his
clasp once moro.
"Dear little girl, don't. This is more
nerve trying IAN the whistlins of bull
let's I've risked good deal, Liza, for
the sake Of these few moments. I could
not go to you at the house yonder, for
as we were plodding along the river
bank yesterday, hidden hy the willows,
three transports loaded with troops
passed us. Doubtless Scssunsport is al
reody Cccucied and the bluccOatS will
be swarming tomorrow over Sans Souci.
1t would have gone hard with both
households if it had been known You
had sheltered rebel tonight, so / sent
Abe with that mysterious note, as
vaguely worded as possible, to fetch
you. I could not tell how many traitors
were about you"
"Nono at ALL, " Liza said, composing
herself with gasp. "Uncle Dolbear