Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-08-28

| so dear 10 her ncart. one olu not venture &
reply.
"Might ask your name!" said the woman
breaking in upon the anxious thoughts that
were beginning to pass through her mind.
Emily reflected hurriedly, before replying.
and then answered, "Geiger."
The quick conclusion to which she came
was, that, in all probability the woman did
not know anything about her father as favor
ing the whig cause; but, even if she did, a
suspicion of the errand upon which she was
going was not likely to cross either her own
mind or that of her husband.
"Not John Geiger's daughter!" exclaimed
the woman.
Emily forced an indifferent smile, and re-
piled.
eyes"
give heard of him often enough as bitter
enemy to the royalists. Is it possible you
have ridden all The way from home to-day p
Before Emily replied, the husband of the
woman came in.
@Would you think it," said the latter,
i" this is John Geiger's daughter, of whom we
have so often heard
"Indeed! Well, if she were the daughter
of my bittcrcst enemy, she should have food
and shelter tonight. No wonder your horse
is tired" he added, addressing Emily, "if
you have ridden from home to-day. And
no doubt, you are yourself hungry as well as
tired so, wife, if it is all ready, suppose we
have supper"
The movement of the supper table gave
Emily time for reflection and scltpossession.
No more pointed questions were asked her
during the meal, and after it was completed,
she said to the woman that she felt much
fatigued, and if she would permit her to do
so, she would retire for the night.
The young girls reflections were by no
means pleasant when alone. She thought
seriously of the position in which she was
placed. Her father was known as an active
whig; and she was in the house of tory,
who might suspect her errand and prevent its
consummation. After retiring to bed, she
mused forsat longeti as to the course be-
taken, in case efforts were made to detain
her, when, overwearied nature, claiming its
due repose, locked all her senses in sleep.
Nearly two hours after Emily had gone to
her chamber, and just as the man and woman
who had given her Il shelter for the night,
were about retiring, the sound of horses
feet were heard rapidly approaching the
house. On going to the door young man
rode up and called out in 4 familiar way
Halo, Preston! Have you seen anything
of stray young girl in these parts!"
aBill Mink" returned the farmer. "What
in the world brings you here at this time of
night?"
"On fools crrand, it may be. I received
a letter from Loire, about an hour ago, sta
ting that Geiger's daughter had volunteered
to carry important dispatches to General
Sumter; that she had been on the journey
some hours; and that must overhaul her at
the risk of everything"
alt is not possiblc!" said the wife of the
man called Preston.
alt is though; and it strikes me that she
must be confoundcd clever girl"
alt strikes me so too" returned Preston.
"Bnt, I rather think your errand will be that
of fool if you go any farther tonight"
sETave you seen anything of the clever
Jade 2" asked Mink, in decided tone.
"Well, perhaps have" returned Preston,
lowering his voice.
aAha" calculated Mink, throwing himself
from his horse. $50 have got on the right
track. She is hcre?"
81 did not say So"
"No matter. 1t is all the same" and hitch
ing his horse to the fence, the young man en-
tered the house with the familiarity of an old
acquaintance.
The sound of the horses feet, as Mink
came dashng up to the house, awakened
Emily. The room she occupied being on
the ground floor, and the window raised to
admit the cool air, she heard every word that
passed. 1t may well be supposed that her
heart sunk in her bosom. For a long time
after the newcomer entered, she heard the
murlnur of voices. Then some one went
out, and the old horse was led away to the
stable. 1t was clear that the individual in
search of her, had concluded to pass the
the night there, and secure her in the
morning.
The intrepid girl now bent all her thoughts
on the possibility of making an escape. Ar
hour she lay, with her heart almost futtcrine
in her bosom, listening intently to ever!
sound that was made by those who were
around her. At length all became STILL
Preston and his wife, as well as the new
conner, had retired to rest, and the hcav,
slumber into which both the men had fallen
was soon made apparent by their hcav,
breathing.
Noiselessly leaving her bed, Emily put Oh
her clothes in haste, and pushed aside tn