The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-22

| groaned the man IN agony or spirit. Is
that really sou
True as I'm settin' her takin' keer of
you. She got him cornered at last in the
meetin house with a preacher, an she
made sure he shouldn't get away. An TO
| think the way she's bin carryin' on with
| you. She's carried him off to her father 5
house. They must be purity nigh there By
this time"
The man groaned deepest bitterness of
heart.
| Does the news hurt you so much, Tom
my?" she asked in tender sympathy.
'No; it's because I'm dying and got to
leave you" he answered with ready false
| hood.
Il was the only one that stood up for
you" she continued, reminiscently. THE
| Yankee officer seemed to have found out
somehow that it was you that was in
trouble an told 'em so, an they all lam
basted you, Sal Mower worst of all.
was the only one that showed any feeling
for you. and said that you was better'n
the men they married"
You did, Linda?'' asked the man eager
| Iy.
Eyes, indeed The Yankee officer'n tell
you so. And was the only one TO come
down here at the risk of my life to help
| save you"
Linda, I always did really like you
better II them OLnef girls.
80, pshaw, now. You don't mean it?'
Indeed, | do mean It. II l get out of
here, I'm going to ask you to marry me-"
Mother says delays is dangerous with
good intentions" she answered archly.
Don't Spite a good thing by waiting"
Il won't; will you marry me, Linda, if
live?"
Yes, Tommy, I'll marry you whether
you live or die. III marry you SOS l kin
take you home an nuss you. III do hit
jes' to spite Sally Mower"
Noble girl I'm yours forever"
Shorty and Pete came back at this OPP
perfume time with a rail which they put
under the horses carcass. They raised it
so that Shorty could drag Buzzell out,
while Pete sat on the long end of the lever
They were looking over, trying to find
out just where BuZZell was hurt, when 81
hailed them from across the creek. He
had become alarmed by the explosions,
and galloped down with Monty and Harry
to help out if there was trouble. He came
over and aided in the search for injuries
upon the grooming Buzzell.
Every bone in my body is broke"
groaned Buzzell. 'All my innards is ia
tally damned"
Never mind. Tommy" Miss Linda con-
soled him. Il said that if there was
enough left of you to marry I'd marry
yOu. IL sou wen, oAsu "SoP OfCA
you if you die
80, you're not hurt badly" remarked
81. after feeling him over. "Only jammed
a little and a good deal shaken up. No
bones broken anywhere. I've seen whole
families worse off than you are"
There came sound OF galloping hoofs
coming down the road.
Halt. Who comes there?" shouted
Shorty, jumping behind tree and level
ing his carbine.
Union. Hooray for the union. We're
Yankees. First Oshkosh Volunteers"
came back ON the chill night air.
Hello, Sol Dacus,". shouted 81, recog-
nizing the voice. rs that your
'Yes, ST klegg"
Where did you come from?'
1--WE were down at little place called
Steedman's Post Office. We knew you
We're out here somewhere. We heard the
firing. and thinking you were in trouble
saddled up and came out to help. What's
up?"
Nothing. except we were shooting off
some torpedoes to keep them from doing
HARM" explained Shorty, while 81 walked
over to the Sergeant's squad and explain
ed the situation. He saw Lieut.. Yarnell
under guard in the rear.
Hello. what are you doing with this
MANI" 81 inquired.
I'VE picked him up with a girl down
the road apiece and brought him along.
He's a rebel Lieutenant" answered Ser
geant Dacus
Let him 20. captured him and pa
rolled him. Hes a married man on
his bridal tower"
Cant help that. He's rebel Iieuten-
ant, and it's our duty to take him in"
Come, now, Sol. You know how it is
yourself. I've been in the same fix. and
you may be any day. You're liable to get
married any time. Let him go. He'll re-
port tomorrow evening AZ I.eesville'