Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-11


ing to see her once more II she isn't gone
already
Il got . two weeks turlcugh-ycu
nee3nt stare. I've been in the army
nearly . year--and alleged down the
river two days ago. Unfortunately foz
me made this point too near dayligh,
yesterday morning to venture any far
ther. knew the reputation this place
has among the negroes. and thought ii
safe To wait here until night reckon
Twas too tired and sleepy and didn't
make IL fast, and the boat managed To
slip away while was looking for good
place to drag it up among the bushes.
Here have been ever since. like q
rat in trap have watched the hosse
over there for two days, and have even
seen the family ON the terraces and dared
not make signal. Now, sir. what are
you going TO do about it,"
"Tm going to do this. " said Will. hold
ing cut his hand. I'm going TO say
believe every word You say, and l want
You to trust me to help You out Of this
Fcrape. lost my mother not six months
ago, and do know how to feel for Won,
II we are on opposite sides happened
to hear today that your mother is no
worse. Maybe you'll sec her more than
this once"
But how can get oyer?"
Il don't ssse quite clearly how to do ii,
but I'll get you over there before day.
break somehow. You must give me
yoai word To go away when the tiIae is
up. Now l must go, or that boys curl
osity will be enough to overcome his
fears, and he'll come to look me W.
know you'r- hungry. SO take my lunch
Keep a sharp lookout after dark"
The numbering skiff carried q very
silent passenger back across the river.
George ventared TO inquire If viii had
''seed de shos'." and was answered so
gravely in the affirmative that he then
and there laid the foundations for sew
eral marvellous tales with which 10 as
tonish future audiences.
Will knew quite well that the thing he
had i'll mind to do was q very delicate
and difficult thing to undertake. That
he. the trusted son Of the commander.
should attempt to smuggle an enemy
inside the hines was no light matter.
The thought Of it rested not lightly on
his conscience. but refusal to aid the
poor fellow on the island to see his dy.
ing mother woHld have rested more
heavily still.
AT any rate he meant to do il, and
by the time tile skiff touched bottom ut
her landing his plan was formed. Max
ing a careful survey Of the landing. and
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 1.-The Garden" He summoned mp all
his courage and dignity and marched
through the magnolia avenue.
His appearance was greeted with q
consternatioirthat 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 ho wa,
shown into . bright. fowery little room,
which had q delightfully."- feminine and
welcome look to eyes long used to camp
life.
Rnt the slender girl who met hir, with
the air OF m offended duchess had no
welcome in her look. Her mann.r was
Ludly chilling. Ten minutes later, how
ever. she was holding his hand at the
door and saying; "Mr. Denning, l never.
never can thank you enough II you will
do thisl Mamma is q little better, and
II she can see John for one hour it
would do her more good than medicine.
! will wait ut the side gate for him, ind
he shall leave before daylight"
There were few more hurried ques-
tons and replies, and then viii was
climbing the hill to still more difficult
interview. A night pass was not al easy
thing for which to ask his father, but he
could not leave the fort without il. The
rolone! was a very quiet and somewhat
stern man, and Will knew that the best
way was the straightforward ono. He
made his request in the fewest words.
II am almost q man, father" he said,
hfter he had made his request, land |
want you to trust me now, as you have
always done in small matters. cant
tell you about it now. but am doing
nothing wrong. l am only helping a
poor fellow in great trouble. know
my mother would wish me to do it."
~ don't doubt the excellence of your
Intentions, WILL" said his father. lyon
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 l 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 well as your father who trusts You.
Every leaf in the old cottonwood on
the bank seemed to culver rs 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
sunken snags an unfamiliar oarsman
might encounter, nor was that CHASTITY
bend just above, where the encroaching
river cut far into the old cemetery, a
cheering recollection.
II will not think Of itr' he said. at
must be nearly time for me to turn
across to the Towhead. The curren,
may carry me down little, but would
rather pull for it than stay on this side
and get the horrors!"
His sharp. short whistle was answered
by figure leaping aboard before the
skiff had fairly touched the shore.
II knew you would come" the young
man said. AT dark Nina put light in
my window just a. she used to when
was ont 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-"
1.-THE trusting is not entirely on your
side. Prescott. Do you know what i,
mems when tell you my name is Den
ningg'
ut means that II I play the rascal /,
wonld be worse for you to have helped
me than for any one else. I see and
appreciate it."
"lrhe only way In which I can settle
it with my conscience lie to consider you
my prisoner on parole while you are in
side the lines, and see you safely outside
before leave you"
How about your picketT
Fortunately for you he Is up at the
old saw1nili. He saw me, hailed me. aud
got the password as I went up. Lie low
now as we go by. He knows me and