Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-11-07
THE TWO CAPTAINS.


were uttered simultaneously and o small
glass Of rare old port was emptled Ii
honor OF each. The scene was tn,
broad yeranda OF South Carolin,
plantation, not fifteen miles from IN,
famous city of Charleston; the time
was the early autumn Of 1881; while
the characters were q young captain Of
his majesty's artillery, q portion Of
which was guarding the city Of Charles.
ton, and young woman In perhaps her
twenty-second year. A famous beauty
was this Miss Phoebe Poindexter, and a
most captivating picture she made, in
the eyes Of the captain Of artillery, Oh
she sat drumming the keys Of her
harpsichord, after replacing the empty
wine glass on the table near her. The
latter was handsome young man, up
parently thirty years OF age, with q
perfect air OF good breeding and EVIL
IDENTIFY Of some graces, for he had Just
finished solo on the flute to the &C.
compartment OF the young lady.
1.-THE fact is, Miss Phoebe, hardly
know what | should do with myself,
were itnot for the possibility of riding
out here to spend IN occasional after
noon with you-or should ! say, both
in gollantry and truth, every after
noon with you? The town Is simply
too dull for soldier, now that Lord
CORVALLIS has taken the major part OF
our army with him in his chase after
the rebel Greene"
And what do you think, captain, IRE
his chances Of capturing Gen. Greene?"
"Oh, the chances are perfect, my
dear lady. Why, the rebels were abso-
lutely routed, according to our dis
patches, at the battle of Gulford Court
House, and so badly demorallzed that
they ran from the field like sheep. In
deed there was no necessity for our pur-
suit. Greene is starving up there in the
mountains of North Carolina and will
surrender at discretion in the course of
u week or two. His defeat and reduced
circumstances will he the excuse, but
the real reason will be British gold. You
remember, Of course. our success with
their Gen. Arnold, Well, after mans
ambition has been killed. he will not
fight In any cause with neither food
nor pay, And TINT 10 the dire exhem-
ity to which Greene has been forced BY
tho glorious success Of his majesty's
arms. My Lord CORVALLIS has turned
north and In month will havedefeate,l
and captured that little boy OF a French.
man, La Fayettc. With their armies
OF the south ind OF the center defeated,
he will move next spring upon the only
remaining armies of the rebels, that
under the miscreant Washington. 1t
will DO short campaign, battle, a
rout, a pursuit and then peace-and
with peace will come It's delightful
hnndmaden love. And then - then,
Mistress Poindexter, shall have the
honor Of claiming you for bride, of
selling out my commission and living
the quiet life of an English country
gentleman for, hope, the rest Of my
life"
"A charming arrangement of events
for yourself, my dear Capt. Webbl But
| must say 1t appears to me as though
Gen. Corvallis movement into vir
ginia is more like retreat than the ad.
vance OF victorious and conqucring
army. And us for Gen. Greene, they
say that he Is not only harassing Gen.
CORVALLIS at every step of his north
ward movement, but has detached his
cavalry and portion of his rihemen to
reconqner the Carollnas and Georgia.
"On what utter nonsense do these
colonists feed their despair
ing hopesl" answered the captain.
why, 1t would be no more ridiculous
for you to assure me that detachment
OF Marion's outlaws were here, sur
rounding this very house, and that
was In danger Of becoming n prisoner
TO them, as to--what was that?" The
captain jumped hurriedly from his seat
and, grasping the railing Of the veran-
Ia In front of him for support, looked
up and down the road that
rnn In front of the old plantation.
ut seemed to me like the winding ,,
VI horn" said the lady, calmly. :
"And, by my faith, heard the gal
oping OF horses and a short command"
continued the captain, excltcdly.
inside, inside, captain, as your value
our liberty" said the lady; Il saw n
mounted man In uniform there in the 81
'ushes just now, and know the uni q
orm we'll" b
sand the wearer9" r,
"Yes, the wearer." c'
"Then II is detachment OF MarionS
utlaws indeed. Hal Twill be an agree
BILE prize for Capt. Pickens. An in lii
nresting meeting between two rivals m
will be, indeed! must he saved, dc
ladam, or your own loyalty will be put " y,
! question: u"
And, pray, what can do?" asked
ie girl drawing herself up to her full
eight and looking at the English off, or
sr with scornful and indlgnanteyes. Pc
"You can tell them that there Is no da
ne concealed in your house. He will Ell
ever dare to doubt your word" III
"You would have me tell lie to save
ou' inc, the woman you pretended TO
we and wish to make your wlfe?" ial
ut is case of necessity-quick, they nc
70 approaching on both sides. They ho