Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-09-07
NEW VOL. 23--NO. 81.

While | was looking heard some
thing rattle far down the road. Ii
sounded like emptying a barrel of
stones into another barrel. Then
another rattle, mingled with a con
slant dull booming All the morning
the sounds kept coming nearer, till at
last | could distinctly hear the loud
reports of cannon and of muSketS all
fired at once | noticed great stir
in the fort above Horsemen were
galloping back and forth; new guns
were every moment thruSting ont
their ugly mouths, and men were
marching and countermarching.
could hear their officers shouting glib
berish at them. which they must have
been Indian or Chinese 10 understand.
Then more soldiers passed the house
from the South, tired, dusty, Srimed'
some wounded and tottering along
slowly. All passed in a steady stream
behind the forts.
Suddenly horseman dashed up 10
the house-he was all dust and dirt,
and his horse was covered with foam.
He threw himself from the saddle and
came up on 10 the verauda.
Good gracious, the captain.
Come away from here al once, he
said. Our men are retreatinS; we
are going 10 make stand behind the
works. You are directly in range.
Be quick the fire is liable TO open AT
any moment.
Then there was scramble 20 snatch
IA few things. one IA lamp, another
photograph album 1t seemed a. if
every body took the most useless thing
to be found. All except me were hur-
rying down the walk 10 the gate; |
STAYED behind. The captain tried 10
make me hurry. He was stamping
up and down on the veranda and
through the hall, almost crazy at my
delay.
Come. be quick" he said a. sharp
as if he were the general himself.
d" Captain -" | said, hcSitating.
What is it, he asked, inpatient
ly.
The hostage.
What hostage
THAT you left when YOU went
away; couldn't find ii. Must We
leave il.
He looked at me n moment n If
he thought | had lost my senses; then
he burst into n laugh.
never could stand TO be laughed
at, and just then it was particularly
obnoxious. made up my mind that
he should tell me what ! had hunted
for, and tell me there and then.
Never mind that, he said, seeing
that | was irritated. Save yourself
and it will be in no especial danger
"TlI not leave it, whatever it is |
said, resolutely.
Come, come! this will be II battle
field i'm few minutes"
Il won't stir step till you tell me
what | want to know
Nonsense. he said, severely.
The more severe his tone, the more
resolute / became. stood stock
still.
For Heavens sake" he urged, be
coming really frightened; the gun
ners are standing with the lanyards
in their hands ready 10 fire.
Let them fire" folded my arms
\ voIley sounded "A short distance
down the line of forts to the west The
captain tried to seize my wrist.
do come. he pleaded.
Tell me what was the hostage"
said, stubbornly.
"HereT
Here.
no, no. this is not "A fit place to tell
you that. For the love of Heaven do
come away
vowed | would conquer him or die
on the field.
You shall either tell me or ] will
stay here till the battle is over"
He looked at the frowning forts anX,
iously, then back at me-
You must know
Yes"
Now
Now"
well, then, Molly dear, left you
my heart.
/ stood as one who sees an engine
coming straight down on him. and
whose limbs are paralyzed from the
suddenness Of the discovery. Merci-
full Heaven! what had done1 What
stupidity! The blood rushed iH tor
rent 10 my checks; ! covered my face
with my hands.
And now, sweetheart" taking one
Of my hands from my burning cheek
and leading me away-''if you're sat
isfed about the hostage. we won't stay
here any longer
A. he spoke there was an explosion
In the forts. and it seemed as If doz-
ell shrieking cats were whirling over
our heads. ! almost wished one OF
them would strike me dead. The Cap
tain led me like child towards the
fort through smoke and noise and con
fusion. ! didn't think Of the battle
that was opening: l. only thought how
immodest he must think me, and that
he never would believe ! could be 20
stupid as not to know what he meant
by leaving a hostage.
have had 10 suffer all my life for
that one mistake / never can have
my way about anything; for when my
husband finds all other e1pedieDts for