Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-01-29

8idulS III HIS pdtu, anu tilC HcdNJ ar vi
twilight was filled with the exquisite
perfume of thousand tropical plants.
All about the place was in the compile
test order. What a contrast, the cap.
tain thought, to the many residences OF
those whose disioyalty to their country
had brought ruin and desolaticn upon
themselves and their once happy homes
Upon reaching the mansion, he rang the
bell, and was at once shown into the pres.
encc of the fair mistress When they
had chatted few minutes nulatto en-.
tered and announced that supper was
waiting, and the lady preceded her visitor
to the tea room.
Never the captain thought, had he sat
down to more pleasant meal. Every.
thing was so fresh, SO sweet, and SC
cheerful The widows MANNERS, toe
completely charmed him.
Her conversation was sparkling, and her
smiles grew brighter every instant.
:" Well, really, captain she said,
g this is the first time you have done me
the honor of visit, and you have beer
in this neighborhood, for two months oil
more. You eastern people, | imagine
are not as sociable as we Of the sunny
South"
presume not, madam We have
not the leisure to give to social inter.
course that you of the South unemploy
ed aud free from care have"
Captain, tell me all about the war
what has been done, what is doing, and
what is going to be done, | have a
woman's curiosity in these matters.
presume you know something of the plan:
of the campaign Just opening"
" [ am but humble captain, madam
and am not expected to know more than
my own special duty, The programme
Of this war is in able hands, and doubt
not viii be executed to our satisfaction.
!" But what news have you from Wash,
ugton? What is the latest rumor, even?
Fell me something do. :"
i" have received no papers from that
city fer some time, and consequently am
unable to satisfy your curiosity with re-
gard to matters in that quarter. This,
thought the captain, i" seems very much
to me like =" p@mpin3."
Why, captain, you arc not at all
conf lental. Even Lieutenant Frank
lin,
Lieutenant Franklin. what do you
know Of him, madam ?
+" [ was merely going to observe that
Lieutenant Franklin, when he visited me
some weeks since. gave me far more in
formation than you seem capable of do
ing"
=" Lieutenant Franklin, madam, is
missing from our camp,
" Deserted probably
No, madam he is an honorable
man and true soldier, and could not
prove unf4ithful to his duty"
But how else can you account for
his absence ? askei the lady.
cannot account for it, madam, at
present. 1t is dark mystery to me but
shall use my best endeavors to solve
it,"
will assist you, captain, if you
will accept my poor seryices.'
/ There was peculiar tone in the lady's
voice as she uttered these words that
captain Stanwood did not quite fancy
She had evidently betrayc':: herself too
when she mentioned Lieutenant Frank
liu's name This had not escaped the
captains notice at the time but he con-
cealeI whatever feelings he might have
experienced upon hearing the name OF
the missing man mentioned so uncxpec;-
edy. He glanced up at her suddenly
now and h S keen eyes caught glimpse
of cunning, triumphant expression IN
her eyes, and mockins curl of her lip.
You are very kind, madam, but l
cannot conceive how lady can be OF as
sistance in discovering the fate of our
MISSING brother-in-arms.
" An, captain, you don't know what a
woman is capable of-hov much she can
assist those she regards. But, captain, |
have q friend here to whom | would in-
trolueo you, with your permission.
" Great heaven ~ thought the captain
" can it be that this womau's charms
have seduced tie lieutenant from his dnty
and held him in thrall these five days, so
near the camp, too But | could al
most forgive the rascal fer she is charm
ing piece of womanhood.' And the cap.
tain hoped, nay almost expected that the
xt minute, he should grasp the Lieu
tenants hand !" shall certainly be
very happy to know your friend" he
said with a peculiar smile.
Madam Lareaux, rose from her chair
and stepped quickly across the room
opened door communicating with anoth'
er apartment, and said !;
" Please walk in, colonel. Captain
| Stanwocd is anxious to make your ac'
quaintancc.
Colonel :" exclaimed the captain
springing to his feet.
The next instant he was conforted by
an office: in the uniform OF colonel OF the
rebel army, while halt-a.dozen soldiers
with lcveled muskets presented them
selves at another door.
" Treacherous woman, you have be-
trayed me " cried the captain, casting q
look of Indignation and contempt upon
madam Lareau1, VITO was laughing hear
tily over the successes of her scheme
"a have suspected this, madam. But
beware sooner or later you will meet
your reward.
u