The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23

fCTCU.
her mother. The meeting appeared to
be as pleasant to all as it was une1-
pected. The Percys had arrived only
two days before in hopes to remove the
farmers wife, who was a relative, to
their home in the valley. The woman
was ill-too i'll to stand the journey,
and they would wait for a few days in
hopes Of an improvement. The house
had been visited daily by parties from
both armies, but thus far no violence
had been offered nor had anything been
taken from the farm.
For almost the first time since he had
known her Royal Kenton was left alone
with Marian Percy for an hour. They
sat under the apple trees, and he told
her the details of the battle of Bull Run
as far az he had gathered them, Of his
interviews with Jackson, the object Of
his scout. his hopes and fears Of the fu-
ture.
You enlisted to serve your state"
she said when opportunity came. "This
is no longer a question Of what a state
may or may not do. It is no longer Vir-
GINA, but a southern confederacy. Do
you feel the same obligation?"
docs the same obligation e1ist?" he
queried in reply.
Certainly not. i have dared to so as
sert and have almost been called.a trail
tor for my language. One does not need
to be a politician or the daughter Of a
politician to realize that the success OF
the newborn confederacy means the
downfall Of the republic. And yet Vir-
ginians cannot return to their homes
and lay aside their weapons Of Wa"
"Thus far I have cast my fortunes
with Virginia" replied Kenton, land
it is too late to retreat now. even if l so
desired. What the end will be no man
can predict"
They talked of other things as they
sat on the rude bench Farmer Hastings
had constructed that he might smoke
his pipe in the shade and still look out
over the dusty highway which ran past
his door. There was no declaration Of
love by word of mouth, but I think that
some conclusion was arrived at just the
same, and that both We're happy over it
in a silent way.
Dinner had just been eaten when one
of the colored servants announced the
approach of a body of Federal cavalry
from the direction Of Washington. Ken
ion counted them while they were yet
half a mile away and made the number
to be 90. It was a patrol, and it might
stop or pass on.
you see the situation" said Marian
as she approached Kenton, who YVES
carefully examining his revolver. You
could not beat them off single handed,
and if you are discovered here you will
be- taken prisoner and the rest of us sul'-
iected to annoyance aud insult. You
must go at once.
"And leave you unprotected
"Our people have an idea that the
Yankees have horns and hoops, she
laughed, "but 1 have lived among them
for years, as you know. Ihey Will noC
make war on old men and d%efenseless
women. Go! There is no time to lose!
They are surely going to stop here.
Kenton retreated through the orchard
70 the cover of a stone wall 200 feet IN
rear of the house. He was scarcely
sheltered when the troopers filed into
the yard through the gate and surround.
ed the house. The captain in command
dismounted and was about to rap on the
wide open front door when Marian ap-
peared.
..Well?" she queried as he looked at
her in the greatest surprise for a /
minute.
"Ah, excuse me-" he etammered. u
ON LOOKING for some One-a mana