Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-12-02
partizsnship, abb 81. bat not soft
ened. blythe wearit = Of long watch

f, partizsnship, - led bat not soft
ened. By the wearis = Of long watch
| ing.
Mildred Blair N strong South-
erner. with .en un |ouded belief in
her cause. Bat er father and
brothers were il i ssrmy and she
was often awakene8 IN the night by
the booming Of c4lI|1on and the rat
| tie OF musketrg. al Der days were
made anxious b Hying rumors
which we're strange contraiictory.
So il was naturs THAT the color
-sbrtsda allsss sA.ssd dssss, bercheeks.
aud that the hope and belief in her
eyes should companion With sus-
pense.
For u wear the men had been
away; aud for year the slaves had
been leaving, until now only a few
families and her .colored nanny
remained. With these, and her in-
valid mother, she had lived on,
month after month. hoping aud al !.
most believing that each succeed
ing day would enl the war and
bring success to her cause, and pre-
ferring this isolated mansion to
their more extensive plantation in
the valley.
AS the sun arose the mist cleared.
but the lower end of the valley re-
mained shronded in its sullen pail
Gradually this rose and broadened
and grew blacker. And mingled
with the breath of lilac and dog
wood came a new presence, more
suggestive and sinister. The girl
detected 1t and turned away sick
and faint. As she did so she heard
the sounds Of alteration in the
back yard. and presently a small
squad of rough, noisy men came
round the corner. driving the three
remaining cows before them. Old
Jake came hobbllng after, with in
dignant expostulation.
During the past few months Mil
dred had often seen this class of
men. They belonged to neither
army. and preyed oh whoever tbey
found unprotected. In the leader
she recognized a man whom her
father had once employed on the
plantation. As they moved across
the lawn sha hurried down the steps.
You, Miller = she called sharp
ly. what does this mean? I'm
der whose authority are you acting?'
The men laughed boisterously.
Yves our own authority one Of
them answered jeeringly. I'VE all
don't ast fer any higher
She appeared not to notice, but
her ewes flashed.
Miller she called again, Il am
speaking to you Drive those cows
back =
The leader turned suddenly.
Can't do hit. Miss Mildred he
said doggedly. In war times eve
rytbing belongs ter everybody
We's just dividin' 'em mo- ekallv
An | low you's better go in an
shet the do; sogers amt no call To
argy long o. wimmin.'
Halt J!
The command rang out sharp
and peFemptory. Tie freebooters
looked dazed. Mildred turned with
low exclamation of relief. A tall.
broad snouldered. man was just
emerging from the shrubbery. and
he was clad in a gray uniform.
Drive those cows back. as the
lady ordered you,' he commanded
sternly, 'and then leave the premi-
sps, and don't let me hear of your
being here again =
The freebooters hesitated and
looked az each other questioningly.
There were six to one, but they had
seen enough of army life to feel the
influence of discipline; and the stern
decision of the man awed them.
They turned sullenly and drove the
cows back into the field. Old Jake
followed with hilarious chuckles OF
satisfaction.
The stranger waited until they
came back, and then watched them
GO down the slope one after anoth-
er. When the last man had disap-
peared, he went forward to where
Mildred awaited him.
Il do not think they will trouble
you any more he said, courteous
ly. Such men are generally cow
ards.'
Your coming was very oppor-