The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-06-04
..This is indeed an unexpected pleas


She added. with dcmurc assurance: ii
| had the qualification Of making Mr.
Bcsant's acquaintance during my stay
in 81. Louis last fall. grandfather
/ Mr. Lascellcs did not speak. but a
scarcely pcrccptiblc movement Of his
eyebrows expressed his surprise.
And now" continued the charming
girl to Frank. let me introduce you ia
my cousin. Mabel Carter. There, you
know ns all now. SO let us get to sup.
per
Conversation mt the table flowed
freely, but Besant could not but observe
that when brief allusion was made TO
the fall of Fort Donelson-not by Frank.
you may be sure-her proud nostrils
seemed to dilate and q decidedly danger
ons expression glittered In Miss Las
cclles' splendid dark eyes. Would that
glance ever soften, he thought. IL
Charlie Fulton whispered in those ex-
qnisite ears tale Of sweet devotion?
There must be some dove-likc softness
in nature like hers, Frank unused,
notwithstanding that quivcring lip and
proud disdain.
But Franks nerves were not of steel
nor his youthful vigor unconquerable by
fatigue and suffering, so as soon as the
repast was ended he begged to he per-
mitted to retire, as his journey must be
resumed at early dawn.
Utterly wornout, he sank on his bed,
without removing more Of his clothes
than his borrowed coat, and fell into a
profound slumber
For hours he slept.
Was it dream that Mary Lascclles.
with her rustling dress Of scarlet
trimmed with snowy minivcr, was
standing over him?
lie started fitfully, and woke.
No. il was no dream. In reality she
stood beside him. holding a lamp in her
hand which threw its rays across the
spacious room.
You must CO." she said. speaking in
anxious haste. Go at once, without
one word of explanation. Your uniform
and arms are here. Dress as quickly as
yon can, for moments are precious. You
will find me in the garden below await
ing YOU"
And before he could speak one word
of reply, the fair vision had glided from
the room.
Had these been less stirring times, he
might have thought the whole scene
the phantasy Of a over-tired brain. but
n soldiers life had rendered him quick
to cast off the lethargy of sleep, and In
an instant he had his faculties about
him.
Il am here, came the silvery tones of
a woman's voice, as he stepped from the
broad porch to the garden walk.
This is a sudden alarm, Miss Las
celles," he said. as he joined her under
the gloomy shadow of big magnolia.
But none the less necessitous," she
replied: TASK me not how I know it,
Frank Besant, but already your ene-
mics and my friends-alas, the cruel
bitterness ofit-are closing around you. !"
but, surely, when he remembers the
humane errand | came on your grand
fathers protection would be afforded
me-
Eyes, and he thinks it would be all
sufficient. but know better"
You are very, very good to me-" the
young man sighed. softly.
''Ah. you have found that out. It is
hard for a woman to keep a secret like
mine.'
Her voice trembled as she spoke, while
Frank felt a dull sense of shame and
dread creep over him. Surely there
could be but one meaning to her words.
lie knew not what to reply.
II shall never be able to do enough tc
show my gratitude" he said, lamely.
Never was the passionate reply.
WHO knows?" the young soldier ven.
tured. 1.-The fortunes of war are vari
GUS, and it may be my turn to help yor
when next we meet"
Help me. You help me! God kcer
me from your help! You have helped
me now, Frank Besant. to forget the
holy cause that should absorb my very
soul, to barter my sense of duty to my
fatherland for an unwomanly intcres,
in one who comes with sword and fire
to waste my country. But hark!' she
cried. suddenly selling his hand in
both of hers, ''surely that Is the sound
OF horses hoofs? Away, down yonder
path among the apple-trees! 1t will
bring you to the Nashville pike. Here
in this basket is food and wine: take it,
and hurry: but, oh, one word before
you go. If in the time to come"
But horscmen were coming at furious
speed along the Swallowed avenue, and
the girls injunction was never uttered
for, with bound. Frank dashed to the
path of freedom, and ran stumbling
through the darkness to the distant
highway.
The stars of another night were glim-
mering in the heavens, when, footsore
and weary, he reached the fair city,
whose beautiful streets had been of late
SO often trodden by friend and foe.