The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-04-14

"She is a Tartar. and no mistake" said
the Adjutant.
Indeed she Il, but she is as pretty as
she Is willful and highstrung, and |
nary girls. l used to try TO reason her
out Of her hatred for the Yankees, telling
her how nice people there were among
them. and that il was only difference in
political opinion, but she'd always snap
me off by saying that 1 was only a half
hearted Secessionist at best. and couldn't
feel as deeply as those who were real South
erners, and had the blood of Pocahontas
IN their veins. used TO get so worked
up that l was often tempted TO remind her
that the most Of that kind l knew were
holding down bomb-proof positions in
Richmond. while halfhearted Secession
lists like me were fighting the battles. But
| was so afraid of losing her that didn't
dare say it. Too many of her family
were in Richmond"
How long since you have seen or heard
from herW
20, it must be much more than a year
now. You see Warrenton has been inside
nearly two years. She used to write me
pretty regularly, and when the army was
about Orange Court House. and there was
always somebody coming through to bring
letters. But that was stopped before the
Wilderness campaign began. and of course
getting letters. Some of the boys in prison
managed to get letters from home. and
used to sometimes think that Arabella
might have sent letter to Washington to
be sent to me at Point Lookout or Elmira.
But she never did. I'll get home tonight
and tomorrow or next day Ill go up and
see her. I'm, as you may wen suppose.
crazy to see her. With the war over, and
her for my wife, I'll start in to do some.
thing worth while"
The train whistled loud and long
That's for Warrenton Junction" said
some OF the released prisoners, gathering
up their bundles to get off
Ex-Johnny strained his eyes to the
westward, where lay the home of his be-
loved. and his heart went into his mouth
at the thought of being at last so near her
He clutched at his bundle as if yielding TO
the temptation to alter his plans, and fol-
low the others out.
SELF" she hates Yankees so that it
wouldn't be at all wise for me to see her
with anything on or about me the least
1ankeefed. I'd better take these blankets
and other truck home, and get some other
clothes in place of these Yankee toys"
He laid his blankets back, and stepped
outside after the Adjutant.
A buggy drawn by a spirited horse and
carrying fine-looking officer. in the fresh
est and nattiest of blue uniforms, drove
up. BY the side of the officer sat a hand
some young woman, arrayed in the latest
fashion, and shading her delicate COM
plexion with fine lace parasol. The con-
spicuous newness of the attire of both, as
we'll as their no less conspicuous loving
ness, proclaimed them at once bride and
groom of recent mintage.
Ex-Johnny was startled at the first
glance, and then seemed almost to reel
when a second glance confirmed the first.
-
Adjutant. That's Arabella, sure's you're
born"
He sprang forward to speak to her,
when her companion called out to the Ad-
jutant:
Hello, Major! What are you doing
down here? Come over here, old fellow.
and speak to my wife. l can't come any
nearer or let go of the lines, for this horse
is awfully frisky about the cars. You
know my wife, / believe"
Having been one Of your groomsmen
| ought to, Major" responded the Adju-
tant. going over to the buggy. Delighted
to meet you again, Mrs. Manton. am not
did not recognize you at first, since could
not have expected to meet you here"
20, this is my home" she answered.
My people live in Warrenton, and we are
here on a visit"
''Arabella. how could your asked Ex-
JoHuHy, sdulF, taxing advantage OF mo
ment when the hOrses's emotions were en-
crossing the attention of the bridegroom
Il have been living on the hope of flu
ture with you," and he laid his wan face,
grown strangely old, against the buggy
top.
why, George. is that you?" she in
quired calmly. Il thought you had died
in the hospital at Point Lookout Any
way. you were always half Yankee. and 1
thought while | was about it. I'd better
marry full-blooded Yankee and be done
with it,"
And broken heart does not matter to
you. | wish I'd died in Point Lookout"
he said bitterly; lit would have been easier
than to endure this" Then he turned and
walked away. and the girl who has broken
his heart turned the battery Of her smiles
upon the Adjutant.
(To be continued)