Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-09
BI CYruS TosenSer1d Brady
Copyright, 1903. Dv Cyrus 7osonsond Brddv
Author of "WsveA With the Ship" "RohenxoIIern," ..:.H.:. "The Quiberon Touch." Etc. .........

cneek With the color coming, the rise and fall of your bosom, your eyes ashine in the darkness and looking love into mine. The song reminds me of you, Mary Amman. An, well is it named the 'Mocking Birdr This is all. II would not tire you. This Is only to ask you to remember; but, whether you do or not it is nevertheless that on the eve of great battle with death looking me in the face. have 1t. No words can frame, no paper hold, that which is in my heart. Good night, goodby, and God bless you"
 It was brief letter, but the most in- different woman could not have read it unmoved. It breathed passion that would live, and the most needless mem ory could not forget 1t.
 There was something else to be done. There were others to whom his mind turned His mother. his sweet faced, soft voiced young mother! His heart had many time quiyered at the recol- lection that she had pleaded for him on the porch. And so he wrote to her too There were words for Pink and Willis, appeals that they would think of him kindly and try to understand his position. Indeed he had never for gotten Willis for the impulsive yet generous action which had prevented him from leaving home without sin gle friendly word. He loved the boy, a man now and supporting his flag on the mighty Tennessee. There was his father too. What did the stern, inn placable old man think of him now2
 War is great dispeller of animosi- ties Of one kind. Or it may have been peculiar to this particular war that it beat down hatreds and men saw things more clearly in the mist and smoke of battle than in the sunlight of peace. He wondered if, from the ramparts of Fort Morgan, his father had watched the ships with a thought of him as often as he had looked at the fort from the deck of the Hartford. When he had rowed cautiously up the channel to reconnoiter the torpedo line few nights since, he had almost felt lm- pelled to turn his boat into the wharf back of the fort in the bay and run to the old man and beg, if not for forgive ness, for kindly word of greeting.
 He finished the letters, inclosing Mary Annan's in the one addressed to his mother. begging her to read and deliver 1t, and then he abandoned him. self to his thoughts. Most of the other men in the wardroom had finished their letters by this time as well. Those who had completed the task sat silent for awhile, staring at the table, loath to speak. Finally Kimberly broke the silence.
 ''Here, fellows" he said, ''this will never dol We'll go into action in a blue funk if we don't brace up. Some body start up song. Now, dash 1t all, Whiting" he continued, as young en- sign started to sing Home, Sweet Home1 not that, not tonight anyway. Let us have The Bay of Biscay, or Give us a regular old timer. That's rightv' he cried as the ensign's clear voice rose in the room. "Now men, all of you, come in in the chorus" beating time. "Heave away! That's it!' t
 They were glad of the relief afforded by the song, which seemed to shatter the quiet and gloom which hung over them. One song started another. Pres- ently some one told story, and sec- ond capped it with another. The room was filled with laughter and merri- ment for an hour. Presently the black steward of the wardroom came in with pitcher of water and a rare piece of ice.
 "No whisky or liquor tonight, lads," said Kimberly gayly. Well drink the sweetest toast In the purest liquid. It is getting late. We have had our hour of sadness and our hour of fun. I'll give you toast-the Saturday night toast. Come, everybody, take glass. What, Peyton, are you going"
 "Yes, Kim," answered Peyton, TT
 II think I'll go up on deck and re- lieve Yates. He has wife, you know, and he can drink the toast. I--I
 -I don't need to-"
 ''We'll drink it for you, old man?' cried Haywood, the marine officer, clapping him affectionately on the shoulder.
 And, my lad" said Kimberly, grasp ing his hand, i've know the circum- stances, of course. We feel for you. We wish somebody else was in com mand of that fort"
 T don't" said Peyton stern1y. My father will put up Q fight that will make your hair turn gray, and that's what you want And reckon my brother will keep up his end on the Tennessee too"
 Before we drink the toast, fellows" said Watson, let's give three cheers for the Peytons-the old man in the fort, the boy on the Tennessee and our own messmate on the Hartford. Thank God, there is good fighting blood in all of them."
 The little room rang with cheers as Peyton sprang up the companion lad der with heart so full that he could scarcely contain himself. As Yates, happy to be relieved, came tumbling down below, Peyton, leaning over the hatchway, heard Kimberly give the immortal toast of the navy, Sweet hearts and wives-may the former soon be the latter and the latter al- ways be the former"
 Rnud TnufnY1 cfanH nf1 fhn rannYN Hnn1y