The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-05-19
THE AVENClNG BROTHER p.sso %
SUMS Florida Writers
Third Page


he was not restricted; he could the lines and
recross without notice from the guards One day he
was passing the colonels tent when that august
person called out to him:
Say John, in and rest. You know me,
don't you, Johnr
John idioticaly gazed at him and replied:
"You are the good man that killed the negro that
killed Henry. l told Mary about 1t, and she loves
"Come in, John, and let us talk about Mary
When did you see the dear girlT
81 saw her last night" answered John, as he en-
tered the tent and without ceremony threw himself
on the colonels bed. She is coming to see you to-
morrow and than kyou. On my sister Is lovely
girl"
eyes; she is a good and pretty girl, John BY
the way, John, have you got her picture with your"
"Sure have" said JOHN, as he took her pho
tograph from his pocket and handed it to the colonel
"She is certainly beautiful" said the colonel with
mfeigned admiration. "pll kill every negro on the
island II she says So"
"No, no." said John. "She don't want you to
do that. She wants you to kill that lieutenant who
tried IT, to poison me- but would not take the stuff
"He is bad man, John. He made that negro
shoot your brother"
"Ha! hal" laughed john cunning chap he is"
What did he want the negro to kill your brother
for, John, do you thnkY"
"Io get Henrys potato. But he didn't get it,
Ha! hal"
After some more talk of this kind, John left the
colenefs tent, promising to bring Mary tomorrow.
rection. During the time Of his convalescence his
mind continually on that hidden boat that
Henry had found. Being now allowed to pass the
guard with mpunity-to ramble at Willie began
the search for the boat. After searching he
found 1t, and to his Joy found, that though small it
was in good condition "Poor boy" thought John;
"his hopes centered on this boat"
The next day he succeeded in securing some pro-
vision and storing it safely in the boat. lie was
then ready for his perilous voyage. As the shad-
ows Of the night closed In upon him, he pulled his
little craft in the direction OF Biloxi. Here must
now leave him and return to that home in Florida,
on the banks of the Manatee, where its inmates
were mourning their loss.
The war was over, and as we have stated, the
heart of Mary was filled with hatred towards her
former foes But about six months after the close
OF the war this feeling, on the part Of Mary under
went change, when ex- Federal officer formed her
acquaintance. His name was Van Aston. He told
the family how he had secretly slain the negro who
had killed Henry, and since the close of the war mad
sought for, and found the brutal officer who had
taken the life OF John. He had challenged the
scoundrel, and in duel with swords he had slain
him. He was truthful enough TO tell them that John
did not die from the wounds that he had nursed him
through 1t; that he was in q fair way OF recovery
when ne died OF poison, administered, he he firmly
believed by the hand Of Adkins. Before he died he
had told him of his folks, and had given him the
photograph of his sister Mary, and had requested
him at the close Of the to visit his home and tell
his parents and sister his sad story. "This" he con.
tinued was when he thought he would die from his
wound-before Adkins poisoned him."
Of course Van Aston was almost worshiped by
the family and when he offered his heart and hand
to Mary, accepted.
The time appointed for the marriage had arrived,
ana the ceremony had commenced when a stentoran
voice utter the word
"Stop"
All eyes were turned on the newcomer
by what right, sir" asked the preacher do YOU
interfere with this ceremony
The wouldbe groom terribly agitated-a nal.
lor overspread his face. But Mary, with one wild
scream OF JOY sprang from the side OF the trembling
man, and threw herself into her brothers arms.
A., by what right, do you askf Mary, dear sister,
this scoundrel-ths sembance of man-is the one
who took the part of the brutal negro who killed our
dear Henry He is the brute in human form who
said remove the carriers; he is the lying scoundrel
VINO passed his sword through my defenseless BODY"
"Oh, my dear brother listen and will tell how
ne won all our hearts," And then she made known