Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-04-05
LIBERTY OR WHAT?
4 Story of Love and War.

o.-o.o~O-O-.o.OO~ O.~O~O"Oso.s,O
The day was drawing to its close
ALREADY the sun had begun to tint the
western sky with n soft crimson glow
The windows in the weather beaten
barracks caught and held the rosy light
as though loath to let the brightness
90. and even the little matched cottage
nnder the hill was bathed in the glory.
Within the little cottage under the
hill preparations for the evening meal
were being made. Back and forth
across the room tall, straight figure
moved, full of that supple grace of the
southern woman.
"Zoritsa, have you heard what de
cision has been madey"
mo. mother" answered the girl.
Captain Newcombe told me today
that they were all on the tiptoe Of eX
pectation, but determined to fight il
out and win, no matter what happens
The captain is very gallant. If all
the men were as brave as he, there
would be no doubt about an American
victory
II am afraid your criticism is unjust,
mother. You are letting ten come UNI
der the ban Of your displeasure be-
cause you chance to know the merits
of one. Captain Newcombe thinks all
his men brave
well, we need not complain of Lieu
tenant Hopes courage, for he certainly
displayed perseverance, at least before
he won you. after many rebufls."
oh yes. Lieutenant Hope is exceed
ingly brave, if you call persistence in
love affair bravery. | wonder if in
war besiesed army is ever worried
into being captured Really, feel like
prisoner of war since
Hush, Zoritsa," came softly from
the corner. you are hasty. 1t is no
less than treachery to-
"Treacheryw interrupted the girl i'm
petuously Il think your definition and
mine differ, But forgive me- dear
suddenly softening and laying her
flushed cheek against her mothers soft
hair, 81 am tired tonight And, moth
er, do not ask me why. ! have crayed
any liberty as no one ever did before.
and tonight I'm free, mother, free! DO
you understand what that means to
me dear? ! have broken my engage
meUt with Lieutenant Hope
at may be at the risk of your happi-
ness, dear"
q have gladly taken that risk and re-
joicc in my liberty All, mother lber-
Fr.r - 1iras
lost for liberty"
The widow Juaniquez and her daugh-
Ser were in the little cottage making
handages and otherwise busying them
selves with work for the army.
at is strange, mother, that Captain
Newcombe did not come in as usual
this evening"
Yes, He said yesterday he would
come up as soon as his duties were
performed. | do not understand his
absence"
Zoritsa glanced quickly at the still
Girlish figure bending over her work.
Was that a flush softly creeping over
the fair, youthful face? She caught
Ler breath. Did her mother care? She
iiA.l hi' THOUGHT il llIiAs A'NNf N''N''f
why not? Was not the ''senorlta' the
belle Of the village? And yet the
thought had never come to her that II
was still possible for a man like the
captain to win her mothers love. Why.
oven the idea was absurd, Did she
really care for Captain NewcombeF
Surely his interest at least was no
Ill AThar no lpprS
that She is not bound to Lieutenant
Hope viii he not show her IT is she
whom ha loves?
Great excitement seemed TO prevail
On 'ar village next morning. At every
other door groups OF people were stand
I'M The men angrily gesticulating. the
women crying ~ front Of the cot
t3ga were two OF three villagers talk
ia- TO Irish as he was Familiarity
known in camp
l's' De was saying 'thim spinal
un thore" Jerking his thumb
SID he barracks, "were too busy
rrn av th,msilvcs to be bothered
viii fho tlrnhlos av a handful nv poor
H-H Pct vo'N uive- be afther eaten
tn Captain Newcombe a-nappin, and
81 az BE heard the fuss he offered
twIf and IFS men to go and help
"l.s we whit. but how many hey
@.e back ag'inf The dirty sphalpeens
i.'. q ragged edge Of our company
l finest vp'n see anyvheres-and the
pan hmsilf has been killed entoir-
y Ah. twas a sorry day that brought
Paddy Malone 10 this God forsaken
rauuthryw
la two women within, so dear 70
each other and yet each seeming 70