Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-05-09
CHAPTER xxxVll.-continued.

Hey, there, you gray-back!" he
shouted, hold on a bit!"
As l came to a pause and glanced
back, wondering if there could be any
thing wrong with my parole, he swung
MS cap and pointed.
That officer coming yonder wants
to speak with you"
Across the open field at my right,
hidden until then by a slight rise of
ground, a mounted cavalryman was
riding rapidly toward me. For the
moment his lowered head prevented
recognition, but as he cleared the
ditch and came up smiling, l saw 1t
was Cation.
by Jove, Wayne, but this is
Xucky!" he exclaimed, springing to
the ground beside me. i've actually
beer praying for a week past that |
might see you. Holmes, of your serv-
Ice, told me you had pulled through,
but everything is in such confusion
that to hunt for you would have been
the proverbial quest after a needle
In a haystack. You have been
paroIed them" -
Yes, I'm completely out of it at
last" | answered, feeling to the full
the deep sympathy expressed by his
face. 1T was a bitter pill, but one
which had to be taken"
Il know 1t, old fellow" and his
hand-grasp on mine frightened warm.
Iy. IF you have been beaten there
is no disgrace in 1t, for no other ma.
ton In this world could ever have
accomplished it. But this was a case
of Greek meeting Greek, and we had
the money, the resources, and the
men. But, Wayne, l tell Won 7 do
not believe there is today a spark q,
bitterness in the heart OF a 1gbt,pg
Federal soldier"
L know, Cation" l said-and the
words came hard-"your fighting men
respect us, even as we do them u
has been a sheer game of which could
stand the most punishment. and the
weaker had to go down. l know ali
that, but. nevertheless, 1t Is a terrible
ending to so much of hope, suffering
and sacrifice"
Yes" he admitted soberIy. won
have given your all. But those who
survive have a wonderful work be-
Tore them. They must lay anew the
foundations; they are to be The ra.
builders of states. You were going
homer"
smiled bitterly at this designation
of my journeys end.
Yes, If you can 80 name q tev
weed-grown fields and a vacant negro
cabin. I certainly shall have to Law
n foundation anew most literally"
VIII you not let me aid your" he
questioned eagerly. II possess some
means, and surely our friendship ia
sufficiently established to warrant me
In making the offer. You will not re.
fuse?"
1 must" answered firmly. "Yet
1 DO not value the offer the Iess.
sometime | may ever remind O OF
1t, but now l prefer to dig. az the
Others must. l shall be the stronger
for It. and shall thus sooner forget the
total wreck"
For a few moments we walked on
together in silence. each leading his
horse.
Wayne" he asked at length. glan.
cling furtively at me, as If to mark
the effect of his words, did you know
tina Mrs. Brennan was again with
ns?"
Il was not even aware she had boen
away" @5gN
"Oh, yes; she returned North immo-
diately after your last parting. and
came back only last week. SO many
wives and relatives Of the officers
have come down OF late, knowing the
war to be practically at an end. that
our camp has become like q huge pic
mic pavilion. 1t Is quite the fashion.
able fad just now to visit the front.
Mrs. Brennan accompanied the wife
Of n Of TIE division commanders
9 her state--Connecticut, you
know"
There was much | longed TO ask
regarding her, but I would not venture
to, fan bis suspicious. In hope that
might turn hts thought I asked. "And
yon; are you yet married?e
He laughed spontaneously. enc.
that happy day will not occur until
altar We are mustered out. Mish
bfinnf y far too loyal 4 virelnian ever