The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-08-16

~ Felt Convinced That II Ny Bullet
Reached Major Brennan II Would
lniure You."
where the sun pointed the way with
streams OF fire, was to take up life
anew. Life! What was there left to
me IN that word? A deserted, despoil.
ed farm alone awaited my coming;
hardly a remembered lace. scarcely
future hope. The glitter of a passing
troop of cavalry drew my mind for an
instant to Edith Brennan, but
crushed the thought. Even were she
free. what had l now to place at her
proud feet,-I, q penniless, defeated,
homeless man? At a crossroads O
Federal picket halted me. and l arous-
ed sufficiently to hand him the paper
which entitled me to safe passage
through the lines. He handed me
back the paper and motioned me To
pass on. had gone a hundred yards
or more when I became aware that
he was calling after me.
Hey, there, you gray.back!" he
shouted, hold on bit!"
AS / came to a pause and glanced
back, wondering IL there could be any
thing wrong with my parole. he swung
his 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, I saw 1t
was Cation.
by Jove, Wayne, but this is
lucky" he exclaimed, springing to
the ground beside me. I've actually
been 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 proverbih quest after a needle
in haystack. You have been
paroled then?"
Yes. I'm completely out of 1t at
last" | answered, feeling to the full
the deep sympathy expressed by his
face. 1T was bitter pill. but one
which had to be taken"
II know II, old fellow" and his
hand-grasp on mine frightened warm
ly. ",f you have been beaten there
Is no disgrace In IT, for no other ma.
tion In this world could ever have
accomplished It, But this was case
OF Greek meeting Greek, and we had
the money, the resources, and the
men. But. Wayne. tell you. l do
not believe there Is today a spark Of
bitterness In the heart Of a fighting
Federal soldier"
Il know. Cation" | said-and the
words came hard-"your fighting men
has been a sheer game OF which could
stand the most punishment. and the
weaker had 10 go down. know all
that. but. nevertheless. II ia a terrible
ending to so much OF hope, suffering,
and sacrifice"
Yes" he admitted soberly. you
have given your all. But those who
survive have a wonderful work be-
fore them. They must lay anew the
foundations: they are to be the re.
builders OF states. You were going
home?"
| smiled bitterly at this designation
OF my journeys end
"Yes. II you can 80 name a few
weed-grown fields and vacant negro
cabin. certainly shall have to lay
the foundation anew most literally"
VIII you not let mo aid your" he
questioned eagerly. IL possess some
means. and surely our friendship 10
sufficiently established to warrant me
In making the offer. You will not re.
fuse?"
Il must" | answered firmly. yet
| do not value the offer the less
sometime | may even remind you O!
IL, but now | prefer to dig, as the
others must | shall be the stronger
Tor II. and shall thus sooner forget the
total wreck"
For a few moments we walked on
together In silence, each leading his
horse.