The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-12
BAYARD'S COURIER.
Continued from first page,

DIAL AM y OOUNlLN.
Continued from first page.)
ever. did he give credence to the rumored
suspicion; he knew Morgan too well to be-
lieve him guilty.
II am confident that Dan is a prisoner
he said, land we'll see him again some
day. What did you boys think of me
when l was away so long? Did you think
l had deserted?'
Armstrong knew that there was strong
contrast between the two cases; he himself
had seen Morgan acting the Federal more
than once, while as to George there had
never been the smallest suspicion.
On the next day, near nightfall, Stuart's
pickets were advanced to the east of Goose
Creek, Armstrong on duty, mounted, in
place of a comrade who wanted some time
for personal matters. With few inter-
missions a torrential rain kept falling I'M
til daylight, keeping Stuart awake in
bivouac, his men awake everywhere. The
roads were soaked; the creeks were out of
their banks. The pickets were not re-
-liyed by others, but about midday an Of
ficer shouted across to them that they
might consider their duties at an end, and
ordered them to meet the brigade at Salem
by the next morning. He did not add
that from Salem Stuart would begin his
march into Maryland between Hooker's
army and Washington; but rumors of this
advance had already been circulated, and
the order to meet at Salem gave the rumor
strong coloring. Armstrong; mind was
fixed on going with his company: he deter
mined to make last effort to get horse
from some neighbor Of his fathers, and
the three friends rode toward Middleburg
Even though the Federals had gone, and
thprVl n ha bcv
fear of their Furnishing him for the deed he
had done, yet Armstrong was still reluc-
tant to speak; he was unwilling to infiict
upon his comrades his own terrible GER
tainty in regard to Morgan; he trusted
that the Federals had removed the body,
so that Joe and George would never hear
of what he had done. -
They approached the dwelling. In the
lot were two strange bay horses-a car
riage team, seemingly. At the rack in
front of the yard-fence another horse, sad
died. was hitehed; this horse, both Charley
and Joe knew full well, was Mr.. Gibbs's.
Armstrong; preOccupation was so great
that he said no word of hospitality, but he
dismounted, and his friends did as he had
done; they could see that their comrade
was struggling; they looked for a moment
into each others eyes,.
They went up six steps of the veranda,
the floor. Sency was amazed that no in
mate had yet been visible. Now a strong
monotone was heard in the rear room
some one there was reading in a loud
voice.
The noise Of their entrance was heard
by those who had not seen them coming.
Old Squire. bare, solemn, backed away
from the door of the rear room, where he
and Judy were standing; he raised his
y, Iey J. so1x L l.
strong.
"Mahs Chahley," he whispered. che not
daid!-he not daid! You didn't kilt himr'
The words lifted the weight Of hell from
Armstrong; soul; speech failed him.
But you betteh not go in dab Wit, Mahs
Charley; heap o. comp'ny in dab, an de
pahsOn is dah."
Squire was confronting the three, his
legs apart, his arms extended in depreca-
ton.
"Howdy. Mahs Joe! Howdy, Mahs
glad you come to see him. but he amt
much betteh yit. Mahs George, you is
shO' ben gone long time! Mahs Dan'll
be mighty glad you got back, dat he wil!'
The Negroes manuvers succeeded in
backing the men to seats on the veranda,
two of them perplexed at the sudden
change which had come over the third,
anu VET more DeWllQereQ at the words
which Squire had spoken.
fair with you. Morgan is here. He is a
Federal. l shot him, myself, and thought
I'd killed bin, but Squire says not-says
he's getting better, and to tell
you the truth, I'm mighty glad of it.'' He
gave great expansion to his lungs.
Sency looked at Squire: SIS Serg't |
Morgan in that room?"
"Yassah."
Sency looked at Armstrong: "You say
ne has joined the Federals?" His tones |
we're sharp; in the voice his hearer felt |
strong malice.
my God! Sency, do you suppose I'd
have shot him if he hadn't. Ask Squire
He is not only Federal, but am impor-
ant one! They must have paid him well! |
He was carryingth the orders in the battle!
md from Pleasonton himself, I reckon,
,or 1 saw the whole staff! And not the
irst timei Ask Squirer'
Sency sprang to his feet.
"Oh, Charley! God bless you, man:
hats not our Dan Morgan! That's an
,ther Dan Morgan! That's Pleasonton's
Dan Morgan! I talked with him myself
N Maryland! l thought he was our Dan,
tut he wasn't! BY Godw he shouted, 'Tll
take my salvation that our Dan is as
rood as gold and that you shot the man 1
aW In Maryllnu!
Sency's first words had been heard in
4ucy's room, and as his voice grew loud.
lucy herself had come to the door. "An-
ther Dan Morganw had rung in her ears.
tartling her dead soul into life; she came
ut. facing the men, and heard Sency's |
asst words, and saw his earnest truth; yet
My for a single instant had her eyes ,
rolled his anger. Not, for a+moment, how
allen on Sency, and she looked not at L
.ewis or at her brother, though she con-
inued to come; her face was white and /.
igid and her gaze was fixed on space be-
ond them. Pale as lily, dead seemingly
kept as to motion, she glided to the We
lnda, and went across it, the men staring!
t her as though they saw a spirit, for
, her eyes there shOne a transcendent
ght; she went on and out, down the
.eps, and then she raised her hands high
nd began to run.
And then Sency sprang forward, and
. too started to run, for he also had SEEM!
ct, after but few steps. he stopped, feel
g in his soul unworthy to witness 50
lcred thing and ho resuruad f. ~.