The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-01-29

fort my mother is dying, and am Try
ing to see her once more if she isn't gone
already.
Il got a two weeks furlough-you
needn't stare. I've been in the army
nearly a year-and slipped down the
river two days ago. Unfortunately for
me / made this point too near daylight
Yesterday morning to venture any far
ther. | knew the reputation this place
has among the negroes, and / thought 1t
safe to wait here until night. reckon
was 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 a
rat in trap. have watched the house
over there for two days, and have even
seen the family on the terraces and dared
not make a signal. Now, sir, what are
vou going 10 do about it?'
I'm going to do this. said Will, hold
ing out his hand. I'm going 10 say
believe every word yon So, and want
YOU to trust me to help you out of this
scrape. l lost my mother not SIX months
ago. and | do know how TO feel for you,
if we are on opposite sides. happened
to hear today that your mother is no
worse. Maybe you'll see her more than
this once"
But how can / get over!
Il don't see quite clearly how to do 1t,
but IL get you over there before day
break somehow. You must give me
youI word to 90 away when the time is
up. Now | must go, or that boys curl
osity will be enough TO overcome his
fears, and he'll come to look me up. /
know you're hungry, so take my lunch.
Keep sharp lookout after dark"
The numbering skiff carried very
silent passenger back across the river.
George ventured to inquire if VIII had
seed de ghos'," and was answered so
grayely in the affirmative that he then
and there laid the foundations for sew
eral marvellous tales with which TO as
tonish future audiences.
Will knew quite well that the thing he
had in mind to do was a very delicate
and difficult thing to undertake. That
he. the trusted son of the commander,
should attempt to smuggle an enemy
inside the lines 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 would have rested more
heavily still.
AT any rate he meant TO do 1t, and
By the time the skiff touched bottom at
her landing his plan was formed. Max
ing a careful survey Of the landing, and
noting the shortest route ont TO the
open water. he dismissed his companion
without ceremony. y 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 10 see Miss Prescott
in private for a few moments seemed TO
freeze with terror the black maid in
waiting. but after a brief delay he was
shown into a 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 an 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 saving: MIR. 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 good than medicine.
| viii wait at the side gate for him, and
he shall leave before daylight"
There were few more hurried ques-
tions and replies, and then VIII was
climbing the hill tn a still more difficult
interview. a night pass was not an easy
thing for which to ask his father, but he
could not leave the fort without it. The
colonel was 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, l.. said,
after he had made his request, land |
want YOU to trust me now, as You have
always done in small matters. / can't
tell Won about it row. but am doing
nothing wrong. ] am only helping a
poor fellow III great trouble. know
my mother would wish me to DO it.
L don't doubt the excellence of your
| intentions. Will" 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 well as your father who trusts you. a"
Every leaf in the old cottonwood on
the bank seemed to quiver 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 10 think of 9 3
| sUnllen snags an unfamiliar oaT>i,la!i
! 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. III
must be nearly time for me TO turn
across to the Towhead. The current
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
sllifT had fairly touched the shore.
i l;new YOU would come" the young
mar said. AT dark Nina pnt light in
my wind0zs Just As she used 10 wheG
was ont late or the river, and | knew
you had been there, Before we 20 any
further tell me the name of the person
| am trusting myself to-
The trusting is not entirely oa your
side, Prescott. Do you know syhat II
means when L tell you my name is Den
ning:'
1T means that if play the rascal il
would be worse for You to have helped
me than for any one else. / see and
appreciate it"
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"
How about your pickett"
Fortunately for you he is up at the
old sawmill. He saw ine. hailed me, and