Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-01-05
Saint Marv's Beacon.

the handsome bat wearied horse dis
appeared in the deep thick woods.
Then it Was that Captain Bowie
made his way TO the marshes that the
knew 50 well. For. had he not often,
as boy. with his faithful negro guide,
shot over them foz miles for birds.
And, then, in the last tree years, he
had travelled those marshes at night,
even on horseback. TO the Potomac,
and SO escaped his foes, who watched
and waited on the highway. believing
the marshes to be impossible.
II was now the evening of the Sec
ond day, and he had travelled far, and
only tasted food once at a NJ. 70 s
quarter. He knew the soldiers by
some means were close on his track.
He had heard them all night in the
woods near the town, speaking Of him
and his wonderful escapes, and say.
ing they believed he was more than
mortal man.
Now he was in the kitchen of Mrs.
Belt, the mother Of his sweetheart.
lie knew only ladies were at home.
All the men had, at the beginning Of
the war. gone to Virginia. Would
the soldiers trace him there +? II was
a chance. But he was this time com.
pletely surrounded. A large force
if he could judge-was out between
the town and the river, and were
waiting to intercept him this time.
They had camped all along the line.
He knew his capture meant death,
but he smoked composedly, for the
thought was not new to him.
A light step on the threshold and
the door opened. A beautiful girl
came in quickly and closed the door
behind her.
Captain Bowie threw down the pipe
and caught her to his heart.
My Ella !" he whispered, as he
kissed her again and again; for separ-
alton and danger made this pair very
tender.
g" Walter" she whispered back,
mamma sent me to say. do not leave
the kitchen. The front Of the house
is surrounded by guards, and in the
dining room Captain Bigfoot has been
all day. Somehow they have heard
that am your promised wife. This
house will no longer be safe for you
to come to.
Captain Bowie looked stern, and his
dark-blue eyes frightened with indig-
nation.
mo harm must come to you, Ella,
and your mother through me. Let
me 60, dear. the way / came-through
the garden.
"Iou cannot, Walter; ee"--point-
ing to the low window-"the soldiers
are down by the fence. Wait until
night"
a tap at the door, and then old Jim
crept in. His face looked ashy with
fear.
Mars Walter, Miss Anne say, do
not stir. But bring you something
to eat in dis here basket"
And the old man fastened the door
with huge wooden bolt. set the bas-
ket upon the table, and at once closed
the inside wooden shutters to the two
windows.
Ella Belt, who was much agitated.
tined 10 hide her fears; and like all
Southern women ut that time, sup
pressed the aching womanly heart
while they helped the brother and
lover to do his duty.
She now at once took the things out
OF the basket, and, spreading a clean
white cloth. arranged a nice repast.
Then, as the tea kettle boiled over the
glowing Goals in the wide open fire.
Ella made Will-o .the.wisp deliciOu
cup of coffee.
lie was watching her with love in
his heart that brimmed the dark blue
eyes with tears
Uncle Jim was up in his room over
the kitchen kneeliug on the floor close
TO the window, watching and pray
ing
The brave Confederate spy, in face
OF his danger, ate his supper and
drank several cups Of the coffee made
for him by his darling.
AT last WIll-o -the-wisp rose from
the table, and standing by the fire he
drew Ella to his side:
Now, dear, l must 60"
NO, Walter 10 not think Of it
yet"
But this house and the great house
will be searched, without doubt"
still You cannot leave this kitch-
en- without being seen. Uncle Jim