The National tribune., 1902-12-04
-BAYARD'S COURIER.
Continued from first page.)

..Niss Armstrong, when did I ever Sc
you before?" asked Dan.
She looked at him in surprise. Nevel
sir, so far as l know.
'.Are YOU acquainted in this County !:
asked Mr.. Armstrong.
mo sir; this is piy first sight of Lou
donn."
Lucy was silent Morgan's question
however, demanded that she show SOM
Interest. -,
where is your home. Mr.. Morgan
81 was born near Berryville, but N.
home now is in Augusta County. Wer
YOU ever there?'
Yes, sir; my school days We're spen
in Staunton."
.'In Staunton! knew I'd seen You
Don't you remember:
No: please help me. won't you.
Il shall never forget a certain deel
snow," said Morgan. :
Lucy looked interested. yet more great!
puzzled.
..Well?" she said.
f.And n crowd of young men torturIng :
poor fellow. and a little girl
"O-O-oh!' she exclaimed; are you tha
boy"
Il am that boy he replied slowly. "ant
/ now tender you the thanks which was
then unable TO make. l saw you after
ward. it is true. and many times. but IN!
dWkWaTu1leSS WAS SUcH as 10 nlifueE lit
from approaching you.
What was il you did. Lucy. asked
her mother.
.'She put those men to rout. respond
ed Morgan, quickly. ] was being cruelty
mobbed by men who know nothing about
frogs. Miss Armstrong was riding by; she
saw my distress and charged my enemies:
you should have seen her laying about her
with her whip
m glad tp meet
INJURED the girl. Her cheeks glowed with
bushes: she was wishing to escape, though
she confessed to herself that this young
soldier could not be blamed for saying
what he did.
The conversation was cut short by the
announcement of supper.
please tell us more OF your news, MIR.
Armstrong" says Dan; when did Nc
Dowell advance?'
Three days ago. l have a letter from
my son, who is in the 11th Va.-LOng-
streets Brigade. I'll read it to you after
supper"
HAS there been any fighting?'
"a little. But I'll read you the letter
after supper"
..Mr. Morgan, won't you take another
biscuit?"
Did any of Stuart's men stop here:"
asks Joe.
Yes; the Colonel and Cap'm Carter
came up to the house. and some of the
men. They say that Johnston has taken
the cars at Piedmont to reinforce Beaure-
gard"
Il judgew cried Lewis-'oh, beg par
don.'
For what?" exclaims Miss Lucy.
Dams face was a spectacle. Had he
chOked?
There was no explanation. An attempt
to explain would have been embarrassing.
arf 90 Io4
hurled out his favOrite eXpletive.
How far is it to PIEDMONT asks red
faced Dan.
mine miles"
How far is it to Manassas, Mr.. Arm
strong?" asks Joe.
Just about % miles. think Col Stu
art expects to camp tonight beyond AL
die"
HE won't turn south, then?'' asks Joe
81 can't say, I'm sure. YOu see. if he
keeps this road, he'll run against the Yam
KEGS at Centerville; that may be part of
the plan."*
"Mr. Morgan, please let me give you
another cup of Coffee
Take it, Dan,' says Joe; eve must
ride tonight"
Miss Lucy raises her hands in mock
horror. Now. Mr.. Lewis. don't you think
of such sacrilegious act. Take care of
yourself while you can; you know you'll
have hard enough service when you are
under Col. Stuart again."
when did Johnston's infantry take the
cars?'
Last night.'
Il am very anxious to hear that letter.
says Joe.
In the little parlOr the five were sitting
close around a small table, on which was
lamp lighted with paraffin oil. Mr.. Arm
strong got the letter and unfolded it
slowly: then he took out his specs and
wiped them slowly; then he put them on;
then he said: Here, Lucy, your eyes are
better than mine: you read it,
Lucy read as follows:
"Near Manassas. July 49,
Dear Folks at Home: We have had a
brush and 1 am safe. Day before yester-
day the enemy advanced in force to Fair
fax Courthouse, and our men fell back.
Some skirmishing took place; our army re-
tired behind Bull Run. Yesterday the
Yankees advanced against us at Black
1t for several hours. They seemed deter
mined to cross the run: you may have
heard the artillery firing
81 did hear it, interrupted Mr.. Arm
strong, "and thought it was thunder
You may have heard the artillery fir
Ing, for it was quite severe on both sides
the stream as a skirmisher. The Yankees
were over on their side behind trees on
higher ground than ours. l got several
good shots at them. Late in the afternoon
the enemy withdrew to Centerville-very
badly broken, it is said.
I'VE expect an advance at any day and
we are prepared. Don't worry about me:
I'm all right and can take care of myself
and then, you know, there is no use in
worrying. Good-by. When / write again
I'll have more to tell, unless all signs fail.
Good-by. From your affectionate,
CHARLES"
Lucy's voice had trembled more and
more while she was reading. and at the
last she dropped the letter into her moth
er's lap and went out. There was a long
silence.
THAT was written yesterday" said Joe
at last, looking at Dan.