The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-07-01

ease of fattery, that, while to Der il
seemed to signify everything, might
in reality mean nothing at all. Their
last interview had been a very tender
one.-Laura blushed now as she
thought of the one kiss he had press
ed on her lips at parting. He had
promised to come and see her in the
spring But since those pleasant days
the rebellion had burst forth, and
there was little time for pleasure or
wooiug. Yet as the weeks passed
away one after another, and she heard
nothing from him. Laura's cheeks
grew paler with hidden anxiety,
the canse of wdich no one suspected
until Bryne touched upon it with bis
jealous question.
After that interview with Bryne.
Laura saw him no more, though she
heard that he had gone into the north
ern army; nor did Clarence come to
heE Tho weeks dragged away mo-
notonorsly, except for the stirriug
news OF victory and success that came
to inspire the southerners at home.
Laura and her mother were alone
now. Mr.. Davis, although past fifty,
had gone forth to fight for his native
state, and the days dragged wearily
to the two waiting women till the tide
of war rolled near 70 their own door.
Then there was excitement enough.
The Union army was invading the
state; and all around bands of busL
whackers and guerrillas, the out
skirts of the rival forces, were ravag-
ing and destroying. Laura threw
herself heart and soul into the con
test. More than once her warnings
saved rebel troops from destruction /;
and her home was rendezvous for
rebel conspirators There was poth.
ing she would not do to help on the
cause: and many trip of observation
this slender girl made from which q
hardy man would have shrunk dis
mayed.
On one of these expeditions she had
stolen down to reconeoitre a Union
force. Through swamp and thicket
she had made her way to the camp,
and surprised at last the secret of its
position. There it was, sheltered un-
der thick wood. She could see the
white tents, and with practised eye
she estimated the number. Then,
utterly worn out, she crouched under
a tree for rest and refreshment, until
darkness permitted her return. She
was reused from a half doze by step
near her, and starting up beheld a
Federal officer coming down a path
towards the bush which concealed
her AS her eye rested upon his
handsome face she grew deadly pale.
and her heart almost ceased beating.
Then, forgetting everything bnt her
love, she started forward to meet
him.
Clarence Stuartr'
Hearing his name he turned to
ward the speaker, but did not recog
nize in that strange figure, with its
short skirts and half military dress,
the beauty of year before.
"Did you call me?" he asked, in
some surprise.
"Yes. / am Laura Davis. Don't
you remember me?"
A faint flush colored the young
mans cheek, perchance at the re
membrance of their parting.
Hiss Davis How came you here ?"
Laura's heart grew cold at the dis
tant tone, and With a sudden remem
brance of her position she faltered and
trembled
DO you live near here?" he went
on; ''or have you lost your way?"
mo, | came out for walk, that
is all, ?" she stammered.
"All?' he said, curiously, his prac
tised eye scanning her strange ac-
coutrements. This isl gloomy di-
rection for walk, Nj ISIS Laura. You
wear an odd dress. Are you in the
rebel army9"
Laura's cheek flushed
Il am with the south. heart and
soul; and you Mr. Stuart-a Kentuck-
ian-what right have you to wear the
Yankee uniform
Il am in the Union army because l
believe that to be the cause of the
right and the TRUTH" the young off
Ger answered, proudly. But, Miss
Davis, we will not discuss your
views, except that l most insist on
explaining yonr errand here to my
satisfaction
'And if 1 refuse?"
Il should be- sorry to incommode
you, but | must DO my duty"
'And that will beg"
''To detain You here until what in
formation you have acquired in your
walk is valueless."
And this is what I have heard -
that the Yankees fight women"
Pardon me. Miss Davis, we do not
fight them. But my timo is precious
Will you give me word of hon
or not to tell where our camp is for
twenty-four hours, or will you remain
here. prisoner, for that length OF
timer
Laura was very proud women.
Although her heart was breaking at
the cool indifference of the man she
loved, she would have died rather
than betrayed her secret. And after
brief pause for thought, she decided
to give the required parole, rather
than be subject to the the insult of an
imprisonment. With rather a bad
grace she signed the paper Clarence
had hastily prepared for her, and ther
tu ned to go.
Il hope you fofgive my seeming
rudeness, Clarence said, kindly; "ane
let us part friends"
81 have no friends among those
who wear that uniform" she said
coldly.
"We may never meet again." h
urged, gently. "You know go t,
the hazard of battle; won't you shak
hands?" and he he held out his han'
frankly.
Laura was very pale. Those hal
muurnful words mad gone to her hear
but mistaken as her patriotism wa:
it was dearer to her now than an,
earthly thing, snd she answered
family: