Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-03-13

Ing carer Ill survey OF In0 lanO1nS, anu
noting the shortest route out to the
open water, he dismissed his companion
without ceremony. A few minutes
walk brought him to the big white gate
of ''The Garden" He summoned up all
his courage and dignity and marched
through the magnolia avenue.
His appearance was greeted with a
CONSERVATION that was far from pleas
ing. His request to see Miss Prescott
in private for few moments seemed to
freeze with terror the black maid in
waiting, but after brief delay he was
shown into bright, fowery little room,
which had delightfully."- feminine and
welcome look to eyes long used to camp
life
But the slender girl who met him with
the air of az offended duchess had no
welcome in her look. Her manner was
sadly chilling. Ten minutes later, how
ever, she was holding his hand at the
door and saying: Mr.. Denning, never,
never can thank you enough If you will
do this! Mamma is a little better, and
if she can see John for one hour it
would do her more coed than medicine
| will wait at the side gate for him, and
he shall leave before daylight"
There were a few more hurried ques-
lions and replies, and then Will was
climbing the hill to still more difficult
interview. A night pass was not an easy
thing for which 30 ask his father, but he
could not leave the fort without it. The
colonel was a very quiet and somewhat
stern man, and Will knew that the best
way was the straightforward one. He
made his request in the fewest words.
81 am almost a man, father he said,
after he had mase his request, ''and
want you tt. trust me now, as you have
always done in small matters. | can't
tell you about it now, but am doing
nothing wrong. | am only helping
poor fellow in great trouble. know
my mother would wish me TO do it"
81 don't doubt the excellence of your
intentions VIII" said his father. You
can be trusted. know: but are you sure
your heart has not the better of your
head in this matter. and will get you
into some scrape?"
Il give you my word of honor. sir.
that in my circumstances | believe you
would do just what wish to do"
Then here are your papers, and re-
member it is the commander of the fort
as we'll as your father who trusts you.
Every leaf in the old cottonwood on
the bank seemed to culver as Will
started on his lonely trip The green
band of light above the horizon had
quite died away. and the river seemed
blacker than the night. Things which
were plain enough by daylight appeared
mysterious and fearful now, and every
huge black shadow around the boat
seemed to contain an enemy.
1t was not pleasant to think of the
sunllen >snags an unfamiliar oars1nan
might encounter, nor was that CHASTITY
bend just above. where the encroaching
river cut far into the old cemetery. a
cheering recollection.
Il will not think of it, he said at
must be nearly time for me to turn
across to the Towhead The current
may carry me down a little, but | would
rather pull for it than stay on this side
and get the horrors!'
His sharp. short whistle was answered
by Il figure leaping aboard before the
skim had fairly touched the shore.
Il knew You would come" the young
man said. AT dark Nina put light in
my window just as she used to when |
was out late on the river, and knew
you had been there Before we go any
further tell me the name of the person
| am trusting myself to-
''The trusting is not entirely on your
side. Prescott. Do you know what il
means when | tell you my name is Den
ning%'
1T means that if play the rascal it
would be worse for you to have helped
me than for any one else | see and
appreciate it,
1.-THE only way in which | can settle
it with my conscience is to consider you
my prisoner on parole while you are in
side the lines, and see you safely outside
before leave you"
GLOW about your pickett
fortunately for you he is up at the
old sawmill. He saw me, hailed me, and
got the password as | went up Lie low
now as we go by. He knows me and
will merely wonder what am about"
AS they were swinging inshore by a
raft of ,decaying logs a suppressed voice
called to them:
John! It's Fred, and it's all right
You slip off here and cut for the side
gate. Harry is there and Nina"
''Now, Prescott said WILL" Its 10 |
o'clock and give you until midnight
Goodby."
1t was a long walk. Will never for
got those two hours alone on the great
river at night. All sorts of doubts and |
came crowding into his mind
as he listened to the mysterious noises
of the night and the river. A bright
which he had watched at