The Portland daily press., 1898-03-22
TContinued.l


prison, they were left at liberty to get
home the best they could, II have had
enough of gloom and tragedy to last me
ten lifetimes. So have those poor wom-
en- at home. We are going home whipped
out Of our boots-that is, am. You
were the only man in Cloverdell that
had the sense not to secede-not that it
did you much good, poor old chap"
"Too mch red tape" little Potts had
flung in shortly. "T never could get any.
body to take my unsupported word that
was a Unionist from the outset, and
so 1 Just languished on. Thank God, /
was there when they brought you to
the island more dead than alive. "
"We'n enter Cloverdell incog.," the
colonel had said, little Potts answering,
"Doner'
And so between them as they travelled
homeward through land laid waste by
fire and sword, saving what little money
they had for food and shelter by night,
they planned this little mystification
for those they loved and who mourned
them as dead.
The streets Of Cloverdell were all
alight when they turned their faces to-
ward the Potts house.
Said little Potts as they walked, "We
never found out who the second couple
was
emo We had go much to ask Tim
about. -
''My girls were never much on going
,ni2 +17ry Il
ner which brought him in sight of his
home, and little Potts knees were shak-
ing under him. "Rut what an illumi.
nation they've got upl''
"What shall I sing?" the colonel
asked softly, coming to a halt behind
one of the green tubs on the Potts ter
race.
"Giye them 'Tenting on the Old
Camp Ground It is your best, % said
little Potts in a trembling voice. " And
sing up loud, Bascom. They seem to
have company. I'm glad they are no,
missing me very badly"
'You sound very glad, - said the colo
nel grimly, and then he began to sing,
"Don't forget the hat, he paused &c
whisper as the opening of the front
door let food of light escape from the
Potts hall, and they could see figures
crowding toward it from the parlors.
CAPTAIN Belknap's was well in the lead.
He came ,hurriedly down the front steps
and peered anxiously into the outer
darkness.
"Who sang that song?" he demand
ed in voice quivering with agitation.
t'Stand out, whoever you are. There
never was but one man who could sing
the old song that way. I beseech him to
come nearer"
The colonel stepped into the glare Of
light. Little Potts dropped the hat.
'.Belknapp'
"Bascomi''
The two strong men were clasped in
each others arms. Sobs shook both
frames Little Potts was rushing tumul-
tuously toward Ollie, who stood in brid-
al array watching this strange scene
with wonder stretched eyes. A hundred
hands were outstretched.
The two battered veterans were drawn
inside the doors of the little white
house, behind the oleanders. Who would
undertake to describe what went on be-
hind those doors in the course of the
next few hours?
The marvellous story of how Bascom
and Potts had footed it home when re-
leased from Johnson's island and Of
what trick they had played on every
body went the rounds until it was only
necessary to say, "When the colonel
and''- to make the most patient man
or woman in Cloverdell show signs Of
restlessness.
Little Potts took up MS old life with
very little friction, thanking God for
the finding of his home circle unbroken,
even increased by the addition Of his
son-in law, Eddie Matthews. The colo
nels portion had been bitterer one.
at the close of the wedding festivities
at the Potts home Reginald had prom
Used going with him to his home Not
until they were seated by the fireplace
in the study just as they had sat when
he, half maddened by his own misdeeds,
had made full confession to the colonel
did Reginald enter upon the story of how
Jessioa had passed out Of their lives.
Bascom sat absolutely motionless
through the long recital. At its close he
drew a long breath and said solemnly
''Thank God!''
Belknap stared at him in perplexity.
He repeated:
Eyes, thank God Ellen's good name
is indicated, and the dear girl had bet
ter bear that name legitimately than
mine, which I threw over her as man
tie to hide her shame, illegitimately.
And you? felt all the time, dear boy,
that must put you in possession Of the
entire truth should things ever come to
a crisis between you two.
They did come to crisis between
us. She had promised to be my wife not
an hour before this blow fell"
Poor girl! Poor lad''
without her my life must always
be spiritless, broken affair"
always. Don't use that word Yer
iIv who ran TELL what a day NAV hrincc