The National tribune., 1886-10-07
basket, which rested on the grassy lawn at her

! q
Doubtless she had become accustomed TO see
their private grounds intruded upon by sol
dicrs and officers OF both sides. Elma starleton,
the handsome southern girl, returned Lieut..
liaftwells polite bow with the grace OF 4 true
lady.
Time was precious. The Lieutenant real
lied that il anything were done toward his
concealment il must be done at once. lie re-
solved TO make one last effort to escape through
the Southern girls mercy. Curbing has pride
Hartwell gave her a rapid outline OF his cap
ture aud escape, aud begged permission 10 hide
ON her premises till the search should he over.
Would She pardon him aud grant him her ten
der wolnanly mercy, aud conduct HIM to
safe hiding placer
Elma Starcton was n true daughter 10 the
South. She had two brothers and proud old
father i'm the Confederate service. She believed
the South to be in the right and hoped prayer
fully for lis ultimate triumph. Should she at
tempt 10 screen this enemy TO her dear eauscy
Ought she not rather 10 do all she could 20 aid
it? Elma hated anything that looked like
treason. And TO her il certainly assumed a
reasonable appearance, this question of hiding
the Federal officer. But. then, had he not
thrown himself on her mercy? IL was his last
hope. One minute Elma stood wrapped IN self
debate. One lovely hand rested on the clothes
line while the other clasped a handful Of
cl0thespins Hartwell noted the hands. fraueht
with peril as each moment was for him, and
wondered il they would mercifully direct him
90 a hiding place or the reverse.
The Autumn breeze lifted the sheets on the
line, giving the Southern girl a momentary
glimpse of several men in gray dress They
were halted in the neighboring grove, evidently
debating which way TO turn 10 lead them 10
the retreat Of the hunted Yankee. Then Eima
StarletOn's dark eyes swept the face OF Hart
well. lie was pale, but firm. He stood await
] 1 4. Easr Las.A IA
il is too late TO aid him now. Five burly
Confederates have started toward the house
I'm a few minutes they will have seen the
hunted Lieutenant screened at present from
their view by the snowy sheets suspended from
the line.
VIII Elma make no effort in his behalf? he
is so handsome! She sees that his exhaustion
is owing more to recent illness than the eGertion
of his vigorous fight. There would be no
honor in giving up sick officer. Her sympa-
thy is aroused for the young Lieutenant. She
Will save him if il is not too late. She feels an
assurance OF right in the act.
81 will try to conceal you" she said in low,
silyery tones. Here" and she quickly lifted
a snowy mass Of muslns from the huge clothes
basket, q" il You will try to accommodate your
self 10 the dimensions Of my clothes basket
you can safely escape observation"
"A thousand thanks" breathed Hartwell:
and in the twinkling of an eye he had coiled
himself up in the big receptacle for clothes
Then Elma covered him carefully with the
articles which she had taken out. She then
broke into merry song and went on removing
clothes from the line and flinging them care
lessly on the basket She saw one of the Con-
federates jump the hedge and make his way
toward her. With well-fegned fright she
greeted him;
like Carter! where did you spring from?
You gave me a fearful start. If you do so
again, shall report you TO headquarters as put
ting in your time soaring defenseless women"
Don't do il, Miss Elma; Van Dorm would
have us all contaminated if he heard we'd
scarf yOH," said the man.
No compliments, please" returned the girl.
IL thought you We're encamped IL miles from
here"
So our force is" replied the man. "A party
Of us were detailed TO hunt up eggs and butter
for the Generals supper. As we were riding
through Skeeter Brake we pinned Yankee
Lieutenant, who seemed 10 be taking an airing
quite piece from the Federal lines. But he
made his escape while we were waiting the
approach Of some horsemen, whom we could
not ascertain TO be friends or foes till they got
! in sight. They proved TO be some of our own
\ crowd We then told them Of the capture and
escape of our prisoner. SO we all joined in the
search, which has proved vain. He cannot be
/ in the brake. As we stood consulting in the
grove yonder, Jarvis thought he caught sight
of a blue uniform over here. We concluded he
had run here TO hide" repeated the Confederate
4 rapidly.
A musical laugh foated out upon the breeze
from the rOseate lips of the Southern girl.
IAN optical illusiOni" she replied. Il pre-
sumo he saw mothers blue muslin curtains, and
took them for Federal uniform. Look %
and she pointed TO the azure curtains yet dang
ling from the line.
Ike Carter glanced at the curtains as Elma
pointed, and passed his eyes over the ungainly
old clothes-basket, which she kept partly
screened by standing between il and the rebel,
well, Jarvis is a clever one 10 sight Yanks
] must say" remarked Carter, laughing con-
temptuously. Then saying good day 10 Elma
he strobe away and Joined his companions, who
were busy searching the barn and orchard
They soon gave up and returned TO the brake
with darkening brows. As soon as the coast
was clear Elma allowed Lieut.. Hartwell TO leave
his strange hiding place. Hartwell was none
the worse for the odd quarters he had occupied
He had heard the conversation between the
girl and his late captor He had listened with
the keenest interest TO the skillful manner in
which she had warded off suspicion. In an
unused parlor, stored with old furniture, Hart
well found a safe retreat for the rest Of the day
Here pitcher Of milk, some cake and fruit
found their way TO the grateful Lieutenant
When the Confedcrates returned on theil
horses shortly after Hartwells removal from
the basket, Elma supplied them with a baske
Of eggs and butter, and other substantials. and
saw them depart FOR their lines having relin
quished the pursuit as futile.
Under cover OF the moonless night brav,
Elma Starleton conducted the Union Office
through the woods by an unfroquented path Il
within easy distance Of his own lines
As they were parting, Lieut.. Hartwcll said
Miss Starleton, brave daughter Of the South
you have won my undying gratitude. Ascep
this ring as pledge Of my deep respect for you
May j return 10 express what words fail now b
do when this war is closed ?" lyon will b
welcome" she replied sweetly. "But promis
not TO entertain you again in our old clothes
basket" she added mischieVously.
When peace was restored at last and hundred
Of brave men slept on
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day,
, Hartwcll, occupying an honorable position /
public life, did not forget Elma Starleton. ii
returned 10 Arkansas, woOed and won tn
warm hearted Southern girl, who had not foi
: gotten his promise. The Southern home los
its dark-eycd fairy, but Hartwell's Norther
home gained treasure.
! in case of sudden colds, aud for coughs {
: long standing take Ayers Cherry Pectoral.