The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-02-11
lIlep[D MIST
A LALE or CIVIL STRIFE I.
@oRANDALL PARRISH II
REGISTRATIONS 6S~CDpT1ODES

! ventured to breach the subject which
knew must be also uppermost in her
mind.
1t is an odd situation in which we
find ourselves" l began awkwardly.
my eyes on the ground, but | hope
you-you will not feel embarrassed,
or-or fail to have complete conf
dence In me. FL have no wish to
take any advantage; or-or assume
any authority"
| stopped. unable to express the
thing ] desired to say. and the silence
seemed long. lifted my eyes, and
she was looking at me.
May ask you one question:"
"A Dozen"
mo. the one is all. You really be-
lieved those who attacked US were
Cowan's menf"
Il had no other thought. Miss No
reen."
Then your proposal was merely
made In the hope of thus protecting
me from INSULT"
That was my sole thought at the
time" ! replied soberly. 1T was a
desperate chance. yet the only one ap-
parently left US. That is what
wanted to say, to explain" | went on
hastily. before she could interrupt. II
realize the serious mistake made. and
how embarrassing 1t must all be to
you. But you must believe me a
gentleman. would never have spo.
ken one word; never have made any
claim upon you. Miss Noreen. | real
lie that have no right"
you may call me Noreen," she said
simply. I'VE have been friends. and
l think We will always be. do trust
you. and believe in you; only wanted
to understand fully your motive. do
not blame you, nor myself; we did
what seemed best at the time, and
now we must meet the issue as we
best can. Perhaps should not have
said what did back there in Lewis
burg. l had no time in which to con-
slider, and my only thought then was
to justify my action in aiding your
escape. My-my being your-your
wife was the only excuse could urge
for such disloyalty."
And now you are sorry?'
lido not know" hesitatingly. II
cannot decide. Where do you take
me2"
"Noreen," said soberly. struggling
to keep my head from touching her
own, where II rested on the grass, ut
is too late now to go back; to think
Of going back. We cannot deny or
conceal our marriage. since you have
openly acknowledged It, and we have
gone away together. There is only
one straight path left for US now
across the mountains to old Virginia"
IL know-and them"
you must trust my honor. my dis
erection. We are friends, you say, and
/ mean to prove worthy. My orders
will take me to Richmond; have you
either friends or relatives there?"
Il am not sure, the war has made
such ehanges-but hardly think any
IN whom could confide."
Then we win find a way for you 10
join my mother; she is In North Caro-
lima, out Of the track OF armies. You
will consent to go to herr"
'If you think II best. IL have
never met your mother; perhaps"
"You will be just as welcome; |
will write her every detail, and she
will be rejoiced to shelter you. The
only trouble is the necessary delay In
volved by the war; the impossiblllty
Of your venturing to return to Green
Briar until the conflict is over"
She was silent a long while, her eyes
cast down, her breathing noticeably
rapid. ! waited. not knowing what
else to add, and was about to propose
her lying down, when she spoke sud- |
denly:
you mean our--our. separation9"
Certainly. That can be easily ar
ranged as soon as the courts are again
IN session. Possibly the ceremony was
not even legal without witnesses, but,
inder the circumstances, II had better
DO dissolved in court. Such action
would remove all doubt from your
mind"
"Yes-I suppose SO; you-you make
I very clear. And that would have
o be done In Green Briar?-the-the
lction for divorce?"
AT Lewisburg; not necessarily, Of
course, but supposed you would rath.
'r have the facts made known there.
10 that your friends can realize all the
'onditions-the cause, l mean. Pos.
IDLY you may not need to do this"
mot need Why?"
"A soldier never knows what an
'ther minute means; am a soldier"
She did not look at me. or move.
Though l thought the hand resting on
he grass trembled. !