Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-04-21

than believed that every man who did
not was coward. But I have come to
look at things differently. Where's the
use trying to steer against the current
when it is SO much easier to drift with
1t?
II have stood under pretty hot fire
tonight, Mamie. Your guns were heav'-
ly shotted, and before you came l 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 miserable failure, al
ready forgotten by the world. l could
not fight for slavery. 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.
II 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 in this
matter has not been quite clear, my
path not we'll 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 it white and sad. She lift
ed startled eyes to him, where he stood
close to her chair. Stern resolution was
written in every line of his worn face.
Il don't think l quite understand
you, Strong"
"No?"
"Do you mean to say that you are 60
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 enlighten her. Poor
little one, he would not by one feathers
weight add to her sorrows or her anx-
ieties. He smiled wistfully down into
her upturned face and answered evasive-
ly:
Conscience generally does get worst
ed in hand to hand combat with love,
don't you think? l simply mean that
am going to do battle for my principles.
! am going out to take my chances of
being shot at along with countless bet
ter men, perhaps few worse ones"
She leaned back wcarily i'll her big
chair and closed her eyes. Tears Were
crowding hot and fast under their lids,
Il don't know what to say or what
to unsay. 1t seems so wicked for you to
keep all your strength and health and
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! My dear! What is it?'
"If anything should happen to your
"You will respect me-dear.
"f anything should happen to you
/ would be your murderer. And the
world-oh, Strong, the world would be
so horribly empty
He held her in his arms moment,
iust long enough to press his lips revcr-
emily upon her shining hair That was
all Then he stood back, holding her
small trembling hands i'll a tight clasp.
Il 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 yelled by black cloud Of
uncertainty. We will bide our time, my
sweet, and will grow strong, knowing
that You believe in me-"
She swayed, closed her eyes, chung to
him for brief second of childlike
abandonment, and then asserted her GUS
tomary self possession with pathetic
little smile.
Il have grown so absurdly weak all
Of sudden 1t must be because I am
SO tired. We won't talk any more to-
night. Good night, Strong" Then, as
if in concession to the pleading in his
eyes-"dear Strong" she whispered it
into his love lit eyes and fluttered
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, quivering
with repressed excitement. SIS you
heard the news?"
"What news?'
He turned upon her in irritation. Her
low, intense voice had snapped i'll twain
the golden thread of blessed reverie.
y w tAAO DAB houoO NNCA thih5 pulh
upside down. Mars Adr' EN- hurt Ole
marster goin to him. He goin to run the
folks and 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 quarters.
The men and the boys is goin first wild the
carriage horses and the work stock.
They gettin ready to start soon as day
break.
"For where?"
"Way over on the Lakelock place.
Marster say if freedom can fin 'em there
he'll give up. These is queer times
sho'."
'Who goes with them2"
cole Eben Martin and your brother
Charlie. They done pick out the prim-
es' ones in the lot for to go. That boy
looks finer for his bed"
"Hold your CAB, Suzanne Send vi
ney here and tell her to fetch my va
lise. "
The shadow of black cloud fitted
across Suzanne's grave face. She made
no motion to carry out his orders, just
stood STILL lacing her long, pallid fin
gers in and out, out and III.
"Well?" sayagely from Strong.
els you a-goinH'