The National tribune., 1898-07-07

soJerin', an baivn' much better time. for
they take whatever they want, 10 matter who
1t belongs TO. D'yo' know Grounding, a
teamster? He's in ealIoois with u.s.
Oh :" said Shorty to himself Here's
another lay, altogether. Guess it's my duty
to work it for all that it's WORTH
= Is it bargain ?'' she said suddenly.
stretching out her long, skinny hand.
''Sophrony, - said Shorty, taking her hand,
this is so sudden. / had never thought %
marryin'-at least till this cruel war is over.
don't know what kind of a husband I'd
make. don't know whether / could I'LL the
place o your late husband %
fo're not gwine Z sneak out" she said,
with fierce flash in her gray eyes. Eff yo'
do I'll have yo' pizened''
Now, who stalkin' about backin' ont ?v
SAID Shorty in a fever of placation, for he
was afraid that some of the other bows wouId
overhear the conversation. Don't talk 80
loud. Come. let's walk on toward YOUR
home. We kin talk on the way
The proposition appeared reasonable. She
took the bride of her horse over her arm.
and together they walked out through the
guard-lne. The sentries gave Shorty deep.
knowing wink as he passed. He went the
more willingly, as he was anxious to find out
more about the woman, and the operations of
the gang with which she was connected.
She had already said enough to explain sew
eral mysterious things of recent occurrence.
Night came down, and rs her ungainliness
was not thrust upon him as it was in the
PToad glare of day, he felt less difficulty in
protesting a deep attachment for her. He
even took her hand On her part she grew
more open and communicative at every step.
and Shorty had no difficulty in understanding
that there was gathered around her a gang
tnat was practicing about everything detri-
mental to the army. They were by turns
spies, robbers, murderers, whisky smugglers,
horse-thieves and anything else that promised
heneht to themselves. Ostensibly they were
rebels, but this did not prevent their prey
ing upon the rebels when occasion offered
Some were deserters from the rebel army,
some were evading the conscript laws, two
or three were deserters from our army.
Shorty and the woman had reached a point
nearly half-mile outside of the guard line,
when he stopped and said:
can't go no farther now / must go
back"
= Why must yo' 90 back ?' she demanded,
with sudden angry suspicion. 90 thought
yo' wuz gwine right along with me-"
Why. 10. l never thought o. that I
must go back and git my things before go
with you, y said Shorty, as the readiest way
of putting her Off
Plague take y'r things, she said 'Let
'em 90. Yo' kin git plenty more Jest as
good from the next Yankee camp YO' slip
back some night with the boys an git yo'r
own things, if y're SO drafted stuck on 'em
Come along now"
She took hold of his wrist with grip like
I l.. L
have such strength
= want to go back and git my partner"
said Shorty. Me and him we bin together
all the time we've bin in the army. He'll
go along with me, I'm sure. Me and him
thinks alike on everything, and what one
starts the other jines in. want to 90 hack
to him an git him."
:" L don't like that partner o. your'n. I
don't want him. I'll be better partner t.
yo' than ever he was. Yo' mustn't think
more o him than yo' do o. me-"
Look here, Sophrony." said Shorty des-
perately, 8 cannot an will not go with
you tonight I'm expectin' important let
tiers from home tomorrow, and | must 90
back an git 'em. I've thousand things TO
do before | go away. Have some sense.
This things bin sprung on me so suddenly
that it ketches me unawares."
With the qnickness of fash she whipped
out a long knife from somewhere, and raised
it, and then hesitated second
81 believe yo're foolin' me, and if wuz
shore I'd stick yo'. But Pm gwine t. give
yo' chance. Yo' kin go back now, an III
come for yo' ter-morrer. If you go back on
me hit'll be monty sorry day for yo'.
Mind that now"
Shorty calamity helped her mount, and
then hurried back to camp.
ITO be continuedl