Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-05-24


than believed that every man who did
not was coward But have come to
look at things differently. Where's the
use trying To steer against the current
when il is NJ much easier 10 drift with
it?
II have stood under pretty hot fire
tonight, Mamie. Your guns were heavi-
ly shotted, and before you came / had
been trying to convince my brother that
this was no concern Of ours.
II have been trying to convince my
self that was not needed on either
side-I, such q miserable failure, al
ready forgotten by the world. / could
not fight for slavery. l did not want to
fight against the men who owned slaves.
But you have said things tonight that
have made me long TO court bullet
hole or saber thrust as pleasant relief.
Il may not be worthy to stand side
by side with the professor, my dear.
but at least shall no longer skulk In
the chimney corner. My duty III this
matter has not been quite clear, my
path Lot well defined. You will have
the credit Of having armed two combat
ants-your father and your lover. '
All the scorn was gone out Of her
face, leaving il white and sad. : he lift
ed startled eyes To him, where he stood
close to her chair. Stern resolution was
written in every line Of his Worn face.
II don't think ! quite understand
you, Strong"
Nor
"Do you mean to say that you are 90
ing to do something that your conscience
does not approve Of simply because you
think want you to do it:'
Evidently she did not understand
him. He would not enlighton her. Poor
little one, he would not by one feather
| weight add to her sorrows or her anx-
ieties He smiled wistfully down into
her upturned face and answered eyasive-
ly:
Conscience generally does get worst
| ed in hand 10 Land combat with love,
don't you think: / sin. ply mean tEat i
am going to do battle for my principles.
| / am going cut to take my chances OF
being shot at along with countless bet
ter men, perhaps few worse ones "
She leaned back wearily in her big
chair aud closed her eyes. Tears were
crowding hot and fast under their lids.
Il don't know what to say or what
70 unsay. 1t seems 80 wicked for you to
keep all your strength and health aid
vigorous young manhood shut away
from the world in this way-but, Strong,
Strong
She stood up swiftly and stretched
both hands toward him with the look
Of terrified child i'll her eye.
mamie! Ny dear! What is it,
IF anything should happen to YOU
| "You will respect me-dear.
IF anything should happen to you
l would be your murderer. And the
world-Oh, Strong, the world would be
80 horribly empty"
He held her in his arms moment,
Just long enough to press his lips rever-
emily upon her shining hair. That was
all. Then he stood back, holding her
small trembling hands in tight clasp.
II had not meant to say anything to
YOU until could look you and the pro-
fessor squarely in the face. Everything in
the future is veiled by black cloud OF
uncertainty. We will bide our time, my
sweet, and l will grow strong, knowing
| A. L.l, In y,tn
She swayed, closed her eyes, clung to
him for brief second Of childlike
abandonment, and then asserted her Gus
tomary self possession with pathetic
little smile.
81 have grown so absurdly weak all
of a sudden 1t must be because l am
80 tired. We won't talk any more to-
night Good night, Strong" Then, as
II in concession to the pleading i'll his
eyes-'dear Strong" she whispered 1t
into his love lit eyes and fiutsered
away from him as softly as swallow
on the wing.
| As the bedroom door closed behind
her the opposite one, leading into the
kitchen, opened abruptly, and black
Suzanne stood before him, Guiy,ring
with repressed excitement. lis you
heard the news?"
"What news?''
He turned upon her in irritation. Fer
low, intense voice had snapped in twain
the golden thread of blessed reverie.
"Up to the big house everything turn
upside down. Mars Adr'en hurt. Ole
marster goin to him. He goin to run the
folks aud the stock back from the river
befo' he start Folk ben packin up ev-
er since dark. Only the ole folks and the
cripples goin to be lef' in the Grc-ters
The men and the boys Is goin first wild the
| carriage horses and the work stock
They gettin ready 70 start soon ~ day
break I"
"For where!'
"Way over on the Lakelock place.
Naruter say IL freedom can Tn 'em there