The National tribune., 1900-10-11
thing on the place, except mother. here" |

thing on the place, except mother, here, "
he added, with a little twinkle in his eye
81 instinctiveiy clasped Annabel's hand
as if to indicate what of all the world he
had rather take along. How could he leave
her now, in the first full thrill Of posses
| sion, after all these years Of looking for
ward to the glad day? The remembrance
of the text his father quoted flashed up:
| when man hath taken a new wife
| he shall not go to war, neither shall he be
charged with any business, but he shall
| be free at home for one year, and shall
cheer up his wife which he hath taken"
But these aint Bible times" he sighed
| to himself ''They didn't have no JEFF
| Davises to fight in them days"
Then he thought he might take her as
| far as Indianapolis. 1t would be delight
| full to have her company on the long ride,
| she would be with him while they waited
| on the side-tracks, and he might have to
stay day or two in Indianapolis. No;
his love of and pride in her were too sa-
| cred and delicate to expose to the view of
the gibing comrades he would meet on the
cars and at Indianapolis. He had the
modesty of manly man, to whom mar
riage is more of an ordeal than it is to
women. 1t was trying enough to stand up
in the daylight and claim her for his own
before his family and neighbors. he
Snfank from Sucn DraZennesS De10re
crowd of rough soldiery.
Shorty could not help stealing a long
ing look at Maria, which did not escape
the roguish Amanda, who called out:
'Mr. Elliott, why don't you take Pap
up? Now's your chance. Catch hold of
Maria, while | run into the next room
and bring the preacher. Then you can
take her with you"
Shorty was overwhelmed with conster
natinn Hn faorod cnrt, charm hadipa pa
would make Maria hate the sight of him,
but she answered composedly:
Don't be too peart, Missy. You're
more anxious to stand UP before the
preacher than anybody l know. Look out
for your own affairs, and let other peo-
pies alone"
Shorty was glad to escape from the
ing out with the Deacon to help hitch up
the team, while 81 had to follow his
mother into the dining-room to reason with
her that he and Shorty had not the carry
ing capacity of a Commissary wagon, and
could not possibly transport all the good
things which she insisted on putting up
for them. And no matter how much they
might take, they would devour it all while
they were still where there was compara-
tive plenty, and it would not avail them
when the day of need came. But she
pressed upon him tin-pail filled with her
best butter, yellow as gold and fragrant
of the incense-breathing kline; a basket
full of roast fowls, pies and cakes, and the
bundle of towels, undercl6thing and socks
her loving hands had made for him against
the Winter.
"Great Scott, mother" laughed 81; ''if
we could only have this house for our
base of supplies, and you and Pap for
Commssary and Quartermaster, how we'd
fight to prevent any break in our commu-
nications. Old Joe Wheeler'd have to let
that line alone, sure's. you're born"
Hurry up, boys" called the Deacon
from the spring wagon. "Cut your good
bys short. Haint a minute to lose"
81 kissed more boldly this time than
ever Annabel and rushed up stairs after
his Things. Shorty came down with his
overcoat on his arm, his blanket-roll in his
hand, and shook hands with Mrs. Klegg,
who begged him through her tears to take
Amanda, who laughingly bade him be
good to himself; shook Sally Wakefield's
hand, who squeezed his most tenderly,
and summoned quite show Of tears TO
her eyes. He looked around for Maria,
but she was not visible. He called out
"Good-by to ALL" picked up part of the
parcels Mrs. Klegg was pressing. upon
him, and started for the wagon, in re-
spOnse to second and more imperative
call from the Deacon.
AS he was loading in his burdens Maria |
and Annabel came out with their shawls |
ON and tieing their bonnets.
Were going to ride to the depot with |
you," Maria explained to her father. 1--WE |
thought it'd be very lonely for you to come
back alone"
Shorty, whose heart had leaped up at |
her appearance, calmed down at this in |
genious explanation.
why didn't you say so at first" in |
quired the Deacon. "Then I'd a-hitched |
up the other wagon. There aint hardly |
room for us all in this, with the baggage"
"Yes there is" said Maria, in her mas
terful way. "Pile this stuff up around |
your feet, Pap, and you can make room. |
too crowded"
"Very glad, Pap, you didn't hitch up
the other wagon" said ST. joyously. as he
wagon and over into his lap. This wagon
is not crowded. It's just comfortable"
Shorty, thrilling at the touch of her
hand, which he was sure fingered in his.
helped Maria UP to the back seat, and
took his place beside her. She did not
seem ayerse to the necessary crowdiIg
but, on the contrary, by little adjustments,
as they settled down, seated herself SO
that, from her shoulders to her foot, her
body pressed against his, suffusing him
with sreechless happiness. Would that
the station were 100 miles away, and they
had to ride thus to it. This would be
enough. He wanted no more in this
world. Such complete possession as Si l,
had of Annabel was not to be aspired to