The National tribune., 1903-12-10
CHAPTER xxn.

CHAPTER XXu.
ARMED NEUTRALITY.
$50 thrive / in my enterprise
And dangerous success of bloody wars,
As intend more good to you and yours
wrongcdtr --Shakspere.
For some, ddts Usher West sat at his
fathers table for every meal. but Lacy
saw him at nodother time. Ancient con-
victions were strong. yet the Doctor asked
no questions; indeed, he feared to learn
certainly that the young mans absence
from his command was voluntary, for the
good Surgeon had conceived respect for
this modest.i household.
These days were welcome to Morgan
and Sency because of their desire to see
Armstrong recover fully. MOsby was
known to be waiting only for the oppor-
tunity which would try the physical pow
ers of the strongest.
Meade had his headquarters at War
rertOn, and Lee was at Culpeper. Fed
erals rode where they would in Fauquier
and LOudoun, and our party remained in
hiding giving their horses exercise by
night, and prudently keeping aloof from
Mr.. Vests. Morgan learned that his
brother was allowed to leave his bed Cor
few hours each day, and that any ap-
prehension of an advance by the Confed-
crates would cause DIR. Lacy to cut short
his delay in removing his patient. Once
again Capt. Freeman had come to the
house by night, but nothing was known
concerning the nature of his visit. Old
Squire diligently served Miss Jennie. and
acted as gO-between for the bivouac and
the residence, making Armstrong alter
nately hopeful and despairing. Without
reason he expected Jennie to send him
some word. and with reason feared that
she cared little for him. His agony be-
came intense, and his wish for Junior
Morgan to go became so strong that he
urged upon Usher the scheme of frighten-
ing Lacy away with rumOrs of a con-
templated visit by Mosby for the purpose
Of parOling the Federal officer.
GrmiOr had no desire to go; he was hap
piest where he was. To him and to Jen-
ME the day of his departure would bring
sorrow and not joy. But for his devotion
to the girl he loved, and with whom he
had plighted ffth, Morgan would have
gone before Meade had advanced into Vir-
ginia-not healed. certainly, but in early
convalescence, which might as well have
been continued in Washington or at his
home in Schenectady.
1t was toward the middle of August al
most two months since Junior had been re-
ceived into this true asylum. Still unable
to use his sword arm, he was strong
enough, with care, to have ridden hOrS e.
feared no evil result in removal to Fair
fax. or even to Washington if need were.
There was no excuse for remaining longer
burden upon Mr.. West. Morgan was
ashamed of himself. He knew not how
to propose remuneration for the expense
and trouble that had been incurred and
undergone on his account; he hoped that
the relationship he was resolved to seek
would show him the way. Jennie, Op-
pressed with grief and fears, had at last
consented that he appeal to her father.
Mr.. West" said Morgan. Il must ask
that you grant me leave to speak very
seriously"
Certainly, Lieutenant, let me make You
comfortable and the old gentleman rose
and brought ont pillows, which he ar
ranged in an armchair on the side porch.
Il am so embarrassed by the great kind
ness you have shown me, sir, that find
no words that would give expression to my
present feeling; yet / want you to know
that l consider your conduct very mag
nanmous" -..-..@-
To this opening Mr.. West gave no sup
port. His face redeemed To he over
loaded with thanks and with praises was.
perhaps, more embarra ssing to himself
than to the, speaker.
Junior found qthe silence disheartening;
yet he was 9compeled--te continue.
II have fought against you, and must
HSht again, Yet you treat me uore as d
friend than ms an enemy-more as q
friend than as a stranger
Very simple; you were III Distress.
"Yes, sir, simple enough to you, but
a thing impossible to many others. Do
you know, sir. that l have feared in vain
that l should see look of impatience or
annoyance in regard to my poor self? l
am oversensitive, no doubt. and my dread
that my intrusion would call up resent
ment on your part has been great, per-
haps even disrespectful to you. l have
been here so long that many unguarded
moments must have come when one in
your place, who was merely acting the
part of hospitality, must have shown that
he was acting; yet at no time have l felt
from yon any displeasure Or even diff
Guilty. But my judgment tells me that
caring for me has been difficult. and beg
that ! may be allowed to-
"Stop. Lieutenant" exclaimed Mr..
West, though in mild tone; ''if l have
done any good. ] don't want to lose the
comfort of it."
"Sir. you may easily understand the diff
fculty that find in this matter; yet
| obey you, and will consent to remain for
ever obliged to you."
Maybe the tables will be turned some
day, Lieutenant. / have son. and if you
should ever be able to help him out of
| trouble, / am confident of you doing it.
"Yes. Sir, and l am greatly afraid that
you will see suffering yourself, Mr.. West.
1t may be a strange thing for Union sol
dier to say, sir; but since l have seen
something of the life here in this house,
nothing but the severe command of duty
can hereafter make me raise my hand
against your people"
"Rut they are your people, as well.
Perhaps the knowledge that yOu are
Southern born has something to do with
| it."
II am not sure that you are wrong. !
know that the war has become to ME a
great tragedy, and only a tragedy. Form
| erly there was some insane pleasure in the
excitement; now, everything becomes mis-
chierOus and repugnant."
"Yet you expect to continue"
''Of course | understand that you say
| that without condemnation, for you know
| it TO be my duty to continue to serve what
| / believe is the right Yes, / must con-
| time. though it break my heart
Lieutenant, the Doctor tells me that
You will soon leave u.s.
''Yes, sir"
"WOuld it please you to leave any mes
sage, or any letter for your brother, on
the chance of my being able hereafter to
send it to him?' Mr.. West was feeling
the Federal; he knew that Serg't Morgan
was near by; il the Federars answer
should be propitious, meeting might be
arraL 5ed for.
'.If you should see him, Mr. West. kind
| ly tell him that think of him as broth.
er; the differences betw cen us are but po.
litical, and amount to nothing in my sight
l beg you TO thank him for his kindness
and to say that pray for the war to end
| so that [ mat meet him and show him