The National tribune., 1898-01-13

By ALBION W. TOURGEE.
Copyright, 1897, by A w. Tonree y

Dy A w. IonrSc')
! "Humph. humph," said Mr. Smith, ex
tending his hand suggestively. Cleggi'
dropped his hat, and diving into the inne
| pocket of his cavernous coat, drew out three
| letters much worn along the folds, pape
| box, a grimy little bag and an official en-
! reiope. That he said presenting the
| latter, "is q copy of the General Orders
under which | am directed to report at Co
| lumbus o.
| Mr. Smith looked over the paper
" Humph, humph! A printed document
signed by somebody who claims to be a Cap
tain and Provost Marshal. Humph, humph
What are the others?"
These are some letters / received while
in prison, putting them in the outstretched
hand as he spoke
Humph, humph Private ?" asked the
gruff inquisitor, sticking his finger in the
open end of an envelope
They they are from my sweetheart"
Z" Sweetheart! Humph, humph Writes
a good hand, doesn't she ?" surveying the
direction slowly May | read it "
Certainly, if you care to-" answered
Cleggic not over-pleased.
Humph. hUmph!" calculated Smith, rs he
opened the letter and leisurely perused its
contents.
Seems to be a sensible girl; such letter
must have been great comfort to y0u-and
under the circumstances-humph, humph ~
The tears in Cleggie's eyes were his only
answer.
Humph, humph Where does she live ?
Oh, see,'' glancing ut the heading of the
letter. What is she like?''
Cleggie opened the grimy little bag which
lay OH his knee and handed him an ambro-
type case Mr. Smith scanned closely the
bright face which looked out at him from the
locket. : Humph, humph When do you
expect to be married?
As soon as | reach Columbus"
Hum-humph | suppose you have
property enough TO justify such step?
have half years pay due me; she is
teacher. If / live | shall be able to earn
living for both and-and she thinks that if
anything should happen to me, she would
prefer TO be a widow in name as well as in
fact"
. Hum-humph And you-yOu are
anxious to surrender your liberty so soon
after regaining it?'
- have loved her so long | have no
liberty to lose, replied the young man,
frankly, though quick blush surged over the
prison -pallor OF his sensitive face.
" So long How long, may ] ask"
" Five years-ever since | first saw her
answered Cleggie, blushiBg more furiousIy as
his bluff cross-examiner grew more PERSONAL
but the man seemed to take no notice
" Hum-humph Have you been engaged
all that time?"
No, not exactly; but I surrendered early
in the action, and have been a prisoner ever
since, " laughed Cleggie.
Hum-humph :" commented Mr. Smith.
He leaned back III his chair and stared at his
visitor Lieut.. Clegg, you are to be con-
gratulated-on good many things"
. am to be congratulated on one thing, at
least, proudly.
Hum-humpt :" snorted Mr. Smith
" What else have you there?"
Cleggie opened the little bag again and
showed the bone ornaments he had carved
during his Imprisonment They were not
especially artistic, bat when he told how the
prisoners made saws of table knives with
which TO split the bones, and worked them
into form by scraping them with bits of glass,
Mr. Smith examined them with interest.
Then Cleggie opened the paper box and
showed the last days ration of bread he had