Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-23


her power to relieve them; she must
not be hurt;" but scarcely had he
spoken than the weapon was dis
charged. followed by dismal scream
from the negro, and then the men. save
one, fed 10 confusion among the trees.
This one knelt kindly over her.
YOU'RE not hurt, good woman" he
said, consolingly. 81 struck his arm,
which caused the ball to pass harm
iessly over your head. Come; I'll see
that you get safely TO the house"
Mandy, convinced that she was unin-
jured, arose and continued toward the
house. the kind soldier accompanying
her with drawn revolver. Suddenly 9
man fred from behind tree. Her
protector returned the fire, and as the
coward fed Mandy was positive that he
was no other than the soldier whose
mysterious conduct toward Mrs. Sevoy
had rendered him so deteStable To all.
On hearing the shots Captain Marfew
was greatly alarmed lest Mandy had
been discovered by the soldiers aud
killed. He was moving cautiously
through the woods when the reports OF
the revolvers reached him, and at each
be instantly paused. and after listening
a minute continued onward. But he had
not proceeded far when be saw some
distance off. the occasional flash OF a
moving light. He lay low in a thick
growth OF sumachs. The llght drew
nearer, and he saw 1t was from Ian
tern carried by man coming down the
road leading near 10 where he lay con-
cealed. When almost opposite his
place OF concealment, the bearer OF the
lantern stopped aud taking number
Of letters from his pocket proceeded to
examine them. The instant that the
light revealed his features Howard rec
oVnzed them to be those OF Henry
Neeks, aud when fully satisfied that
his faithful friend was alone he crept
closer to the road and called ligetly TO
him. proceeding that so startled
Neeks that be dropped first the letters
and then the lantern, extinguishing the
light.
Don't be alarmed" said the CAP.
tain, after hastily announcing his
name IT am no bushwhacker, no foe,
but friend. Come 20 the fence. You
have proved that have no truer friend
than yourself"
Assured that 1t was Howard's voice
that had spoken, Neeks hastily picked
up the letters and the lantern and did
as requested.
"Well, you certainly did Brighten
me greatly" he said between the rails
OF the fence. "But what are you doing
here? Oh, 1 understand; you are
making your escape.
ayes; something that l would not be
doing had 1t not been for your kind and
timely warning. They came within an
ace Of getting me that time, yon know;
and before ] recognized you just now
1 greatly feared that they might be
after me again. When l was
satisfied that 1t was you and
that you were alone, / could not
permit such a favorable opportunity to
thank You verbally for your unparal-
leled kindness, and 30 have snort talk
with you to escape; life nowadays is
far too uncertain TO admit OF procrasti-
nation, you know. But what has
brought you over here at this hour OF
night? Up at Lapart's | imagine. |
supposed that you and Alma would
have married lohg before this, Henry"
ut is very probable that we would
have, had 1t not been for this accursed
war. You know how fiery Southern
that girl is? She hates a Yankee worse
by long sight than the devil does
Christians, and avows since | have pol
luted myself with Federal uniform
that she could not think OF becoming
my wife; and the girl means every word
OF 1t, too. Candidly, In my estimation,
she has always thought more OF you
than she ever did OF me; and now that
your political sympathy and hers are
In accord, you could, l am sure, marry
her tonight II you would"
"Indeed. Well it would be difficult
matter to convert this tramp that ] am
bound on into anything analogous TO a
respectable wedding tour" laughed
Howard. "War time Is no time for a
soldier to marry, anyway"
"And now" pursued Neeks, "let me
give you something that will prove TO
you the interest that she has In you,
and he handed note through the fence.
"She knew that / would call tonight
so she had il ready and requested me
TO see that you received II secretly.
And there Is quite a coincidence con-
nected with II, too, for | was afraid
that | had come away without IL and
was searching for it among an accumu-
latlon OF old letters when you called TO
me-"
"Quite a coincidence, really" re-
marked Howard, as he carefully IN
sealed the note. "And now, III you will
kindly relight your lantern and bold II
so II will not attract attention, 1 shall
glance over this epistle."
The lantern was sooD relighted, and
then the letter was examined. IL
proved to be quite lengthy communl.
cation, profuse with expressions OF
sympathy regarding his condition, and
concluding with a very sincere request
for him TO call before he returned TO bis
regiment. lie banded It TO Henry who
glanced over II and returned 1t remark
ing:
ut shows how much she thinks oil
Won TO say the least, Howard. Oh. no,
there IS no hope for me with that girl.
She is Southern as the magnolia and
Just about as pretty. Only a redhoI
rebel will ever marry her; never home
made Yankee like myself.
The two friends continued to talk .
few minutes longer, then, bidding each
other a sincere farewell. separated
Howard proceeding through the dark
woods aud Henry resuming his course
toward the distant camp.
1t was not long before Howard ar
rived opposite the old-fashioned resi-
dence OF the Laparts. The parlor shut
tiers were open and bright light
siraamed through the Windows Upol