Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-02

5SzESs<MSa neither sleep nor dreams. He 1SG4kSg rose early in the morning. After his agonizing vacillations he had resolved to throw conscience and every thing behind him and keep to the south; but he could not bear their con- gratulations and appreciation at that time. He could not stand them. He called for his horse, and in the gray dawn galloped down through the sleep ing town and out upon the old Shell road. 4
 Down the white track by the heaving sea, under the moss draped live oaks, he drove his horse as if in rapid mo- ton he could shake off the demon of uncertainty which clutched him again. Could he never make up his mind? he thought. He did not know what to do. In every direction seemed destruc tion. Meantime he could ride. He set his teeth hard and drove the spurs into his horse as if the physical effort could displace the mental struggle. On and on he sped.
 Miles beyond the end of the Shell road he drew rein at last and stared out over the gray waters of the bay, rolling cold and leaden under the low ering sky. How different from the other dayi The chill melancholy of the surroundings accorded with his feel ings But he was not cold. The blood ran in molten riot in his veins and
 flushed his dark face dull red color. His gaze turned at last toward Fort
 Morgan, invisible, of course, on ac- 1q N,o agine it. He had been there many a time, he had sailed every foot of water in that bay in his own boat He knew, l it as he knew the shore, and Mary An nan had been with him often too. Could he never get away from her? The old fort, which for forty years had
 borne aloft the stars and stripes today was under another banner. The troops | of Alabama were in charge. His state, 1 his troops, for he was one of them, ar
 rayed against the United States! No, by the God above him, no! He wheeled his horse sharply, struck
 his rowels deep into the quivering | flank in. unconscious cruelty and dashed back into the town. On and
 on he galloped, retracing his earlier ride. The trees raced by in rapid suc- l cession. Presently he reached the Shell road again, but there was no in- termission to the wild gallop in which
 he urged his horse, and every hoof beat that crashed upon the white way ham, | mered out "Traitorv' "Scoundrelw
 "Blackguardy' "Loverw and moved
 him not. Could he hold to this last determination? Was 1t in him to hold | to anything at last?
 He reeled in his saddle sometimes, but drove his horse recklessly on. Presently he entered the outskirts of l the town, and in a few moments he self straight and checked the speed of
 his horse slightly, though he came down Emmanuel street at rattling pace. The horse had grown as reck- less as he. As long as he had strength
 he would run forward.
 Peyton saw those about him as if in a haze. He noticed people staring after him, lifting their hats to him.
 When two or three were assembled by chance, he heard his name called loud- ly. As he turned the corner of Dau- phin street he marked the Light In- fantry company assembling before its armory. They sent up mighty cheer as he passed them by and turned up St. Francis street. They were calling
 his name, too. and with approval.
 What did it mean7 Suddenly it flashed upon him. They had heard that he had decided, and they were greeting him with joy and acclama- tion. An, they little knew
 He got out of the city presently. Now he. turned. into. the Rate. af hia