The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1884-03-13

hundreds % men OF one another. No
one could answer. The mystery was
not solved until the next day.
CHAPTER ".
Lieut.. Hall had charge Of the guard
at the Batheley manslon. Being a
handsome, polite young follow, be
was treated with great consideration
and kindness by the ladies. In re-
turn, he did them many little services
for which they pr0fessed deep ap-
probation. He found his task =
pleasant one, aud the ladies seemed
% enjoy bis company as greatly Rs he
did theiFs. Consequently there was
no inconsiderable friendship between
Hall, the protector, and the Bathelsys
the protected.
The Lieutenant often wondered TO
himself why Miss Alice WRlked
through the grove alone every even
ing about twilight. Al first he at
tIibuted u to q love OF romance; but as
Miss Alice was more q woman Of
realities than offancies he had q vague
suspicion that there was some hidden
cause for her unusual action.
One evening after the sun went
down, be saw her taking her custom
ary stroll, aud letting his curiosity get
the better Of his politeness, he Joined
her In the grove. As he approached
her he noticed that she was some
what sgitated, but be affected not to
see 10. Presently, however, he said
you seem nervous this evening""
"Oh, no." she said. II only feel
sorry for your poor men, for I'm
Afraid a-rfNn "a AaafamHnM 20 rnfwlaH
again"
'Is there 10 be an attack tonight ?"
why yes, did you not know ?n
% had not heard Of It"
II thought every body knew that"
ceeded to scan the horizon carefully
toward Port Hudson.
From where they were standing
they had q full sweep Of the country
Ia that direction. The Lieutenant
had noticed n pigeon flying swiftly
towards them, but he did not pay es-
pecial heed 70 II until a few minutes
Afterwards, when II alighted on Miss
Alice's shoulder. She took the bird
IN her hand and began caressing IL.
Presently Il flew from her q short dis
lance. As it did so Hall imagined he
saw roll Of paper affixed 10 lie legs.
The bird, however, came back, and
Miss Alice, bidding the Lieutenant
good evening, walked toward the
house with the pigiOn still tiuitering
around her shoulder.
She had not more than reached the
door before a terrible suspicion took |
possession OF Hall. Was the bird a
carrier pigeon he asked Was Miss !
Alice Batheley Confederate spy, in
communication with Port Hudson ? |
How did she know Of the night at |
tack These questions prompted |
themselves more strongly every in- |
slant. He determined 10 solve the /
The light Of the lamp showed him
into which room Mis- Alice had gone. /
IL was on the second story. Hall /
carefully removed his shoes, Chamber
ed noiselessly up tue portico, aud. TO
his joy, found n small aperture in the /
window through which he could view
the room.
Immediately he saw how correct
his suspicious were. Miss Alice and /
Miss Blanche were alone in the room.
With pair OF scissors they were cut
ting the small roll Of paper from the
pigeons legs.
He did not further hesitate. He
rushed into the apartment Miss
Blanche tainted. Miss Alice frantic
ally tried 10 protect the dove. BY
Inuin force she Kept Hall AZ adistRhce.
duaded on By anger, she fought with
the desperation Of q woman aud
strength Of q man Hall called his
men. and they OverpOwered the fair
warrior as gently as they could But
even then the bird had TO be taken
from her, for she refused to give il up.
II arrest you both as spies, said
lie Lieutenant, and the ladies, seeing
further resistance useless. submitted
remOnsirance.
He got possession OF the paper 10
was written in handwriting extremely
ine, and read as follows
Your message received just Ia time.
We were getting ready 70 surprise the
How can we thank you
for your goodness Were u not for
POUR message we could not hold out
mother week, for we are now one
against two. shall command q bat
lery tonight. Alice, pray for my sue
.ess, and remember that I think Of
you always. God bless you.
LATIMER.
As soon as the ladies were safely
lnder arrest, Hall Loaf no time 10
a horse. He rode swiftly 10
headquarters. He explained what
had happened. The commander saw
hat be had been outwitted by female
Ipy. Hedecided TO prevent bloOdshed
And that Il why be countermAnded
he orders.