The National tribune., 1902-05-15


ed for him everywhar I guess as your
business is SO important III have to let
you gO.''
With an oath Mr.. Buzzell sprang into
his saddle and gallOped away, leaving in
his wake stream Of anathemas on the
stupidity Of pickets.
Shortly after 81 leisurely assembled the
boys and rode forward at q walk, keeping
a lookout for the gum spring which should
mark the departure from the main road
| 1t was getting toward dark of the short
Winter day when they at last came to this.
and after some searching discovered the
bride path, behind a large thicket of wild
oranges. They We're confirmed in this by
finding bit of the green veil which Sarah
Jane wore when she went by, and which
had been torn off by the clinging orange
| branches.
We're all right, Shorty" calculated 81,
examining the fragment. "She went this
way"
Yes, and he's over there setting that
shoe,' chuckled Shorty, catching the dis
| tant sound Of hammer on anvil from up
the main road.
1t was quite dark when they reached the
creek, but Pete on Abednego had no diff
Guilty in crossing the rocky, narrow ford,
and the rest Of the horses followed in sin
gle file
On the hill above was the meeting
house, with the horses fastened to trees
roundabout, and a bright light shining
from the windows. No one challenged
them, and they quietly dismounted. tied
! their horses, and forming behind 81 and
Shorty marched toward the door.
81 and Shorty abreast, with their car
bines at ready, pushed the door open
and stepped inside. The preacher had ap-
parentiy just finished the ceremony that
united the two couples, for everybody was
pressing up to the fireplace to kiss the
blushing brides, and congratulate the
bridegrooms. No one had noticed the door
opening until 81 uttered a loud 'Ahemp'
BY this time the whole squad had gain
ed the inside, and stood with carbines lev
eled.
Sorry to intrude upon this festive oc-
casiOn," remarked Shorty. but we'll have
to conclude these interesting ceremonies
| by asking you TO surrender. The sheep'll
separate from the goats-I mean that the
ladies will move over TO the left-hand part
of the room, and the men will go into the
right-hand corner"
1T may help you make up your minds"
added 81, MS the Captain, Lieutenant, and
some others showed signs of resistance.
ITO inform you that these are Spencer car
bines, which shoot eight times. Be Spry,
now. Times precious"
There seemed no help for it, and the
men sullenly submitted, the women going
to their place with fire in some eyes and
tears in others.
The sound of several shots came from
the direction Of the main ford. A start
ran through the assembly More Yam
KEGS" they exclaimed.
Don't be disturbed, ladies and gentle
men," said Shorty affably ITS merely
your torpedoes blowing up one of your
Commissaries-a gentleman by the name
of Buzzell. / believe"
Lieut.. Yarnell's face took on an express
sion as if the situation had become more
|supportable.
Capt. Hickox, suppose" said 81, ad-
vancing to one OF the bridegrooms.
Yes, sir" responded he with intense
dignity
Lieut.. Yarnell, I presume?" said 81,
turning to the other. II think / met You
yesterday"
I'm certainly Lieut. Yarneli, and pos
sibiy we have met before" responded the
subaltern.
Pm certain me and you met, an you
had the mighty unusual credit of getting !
the drop on me, but I've nothing against !
you on that score" said Shorty.
You're the internal traitor that piloted |
the Yankees on to u.s. exclaimed the reb- |
ell, recognizing him.
Hold on" said 81. "We'ye no time for !
debate. Short speeches and few of 'em is |
the order. | appreciate your position. I've |
been there myself. We're your enemies, |
but We don't propose to add any unneces-
Sary horrors to war, especially to new
married men. II let you go on parole to
take these ladies home, will you give me
Your solemn word of honor to report your
selves tomorrow evening at Ieesyille, to
Serg't Josiah Kiel5s, of the 200th Injianny
Volunteer InfantryT
AT Leesri'le" exclaimed the Captain
You'll never get there in the world"
That's rrr lookout" said 81. you
needn't 'otlt,-t ;,hout that
The Captain and the Lieutenant looked
lixedly for Il moment at one another, then
at their new made wives, and at last re-
spOnded:
We will"
Very good. We can soon arrange this.
Pete and Sandy, go outside, and have that