The National tribune., 1901-05-23

ter, tea, jelly and cold meats, which was
followed by dessert of cake, nuts and
fruits.
After lunch we repaired to the draw
ing-room, where Miss Carrie favored US
with some fine instrumental music, and
then sang several nice songs. She had n
| rich, full contraIto voice. and played and
sang superbly, and being a young man,
heart free, 1 will confess that I was some
what smitten by these accomplishments,
| united as they were with the beauty and
eracefulness Of the possesser; but this
was no time to indulge in love Dreams
confronted as / was by 50 serious a duty
as that which l had undertaken to ac-
| compiish; so, after joining in the praise
her singing and playing had elected,
| excused myself to the family and with
drew with George to talk over old times.
And so you are a Lieutenant" | said,
after we had talked of other days for
some time.
Yes" he answered. 81 was chosen
six months ago | am home on a fur
Tough now, but will start to reiOin my
regiment, which is at Nashville, tomor-
row. l am sorry to be obliged to leave
you so soon, old boy, but war is no re-
specter of persons, you know"
II know that" l replied; but perhaps
we need not separate. As | remarked
few minutes ago, | want to visit friends
III fLdSI tennessee, anu L SDdll Uetu PASS
ports in order TO travel which you can
undoubtedly aid me to procure; so, if you
are willing, l shall be glad TO accompany
you to Nashville"
"Of course, I am willing" said George,
heartily; II am more than pleased at
your proposal, which will give me pleas
ant companion to relieve the tedium of the
ride"
'All right, then, that is decided" said
/. feeling much relieved that the plan |
had been formulating since my first sight
OF his gray uniform convinced Inc that
he was in the Confederate service should
be so readily acquiesced in.
YES" said George, in reply to my re-
mark. "And now, Charley, / guess we
had better retire, for | want to start
early in the morning"
"All right"' I responded, and wishing
him goodnight, / withdrew TO my apart
ment, which, as | have already stated,
was next to his.
Although it was quite late, ! did not
at once retire, but, drawing an easy
chair to the window, / lighted q fresh
cigar and sat down, not to contemplate
the landscape before me, although il was
very attractive in the pale moonlight, but
to muse upon what | had seen and heard
that evening and plan my future move
ments.
| had every reason TO congratulate my
far. Already / had as good as secured
my passport, for by enlisting George in
my cause | had made mastery stride
toward the end.
On the whole | was well satisfied with
my nights work, and felt / had earned
the repose which i now sought ON the
soft bed prepared for me; but the rest [
before me cid not come.
Instead, l was restless and wakeful
and full of forebodings of coming evil
which l could not rid myself of.
planned and replanned what would
do when | reached Georges uncle's. How
l would visit Richmond with him, and
would persuade him to accompany me on
tour of the Notifications, of which |
would make n quick but accurate mental
picture, which | would, later, transfer to
paper.
Then 1 tried to imagine my triumphal
| return to Washington with the informa-
ton so much coveted by the Union com
mander; but here l failed, and, try as |
would, l could not help feeling a pre-
monition of some calamity which would
befall me at Richmond. l could imagine
passing through the other stages OF my
journey successfully even up to my ar
| rival at Richmond and visit to its fOrtifi-
| cation, but no farther could / get What
did it mean? Would / be discovered
there, my plans frustrated, and perhaps
/ be shot as spy?
i was not much of q believer in pre-
monitions, but, nevertheless, l could not
| help feeling uneasy about this, and as |
had partially driven 1t from my mind, /
| commenced to think of home and how
| father and mother would feel if news
were brought to them that |, their only
son, had been shot as a spy.
When at last. thoroughly worn out /
fell asleep, it was only to dream that l
had been discovered and condemned to be
| shot as spy, while the beautiful Carrie
yelling WIS stretching out her hand to.
ward my executioners and imploring them
| to spare me.
Gradually the picture faded. and | saw
my mother with her hands outstretched
toward me, but separated by an impassa.
BILE gulf from me.
(To be eontinued.)