Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-06-14

Inere now, stiu IlZi, stulIlIik tIr
last fork in crevice behind an unmov-
able clothes press, unless they get TO
kicking that palmetto and wool about
for pure malice they will never suspect
what is under IT,"
Then they stood silently waiting and
listening with fast beating hearts. The
moment was too intense for common
place. The storm, whose mutterings in
the distance they had been listening TO
with strained attention for 80 long, was
about to burst upon their own heads.
They looked into each others eyes
lovingly, confdingly, and in that brief
communion both found fresh strength.
Suddenly Liza drew her friends soft
round cheeks within kissing range and
pressed her lips fervently To each in
succession.
my dear, my dear, what should i
do without you? The rest are all 80 con
fused, 20 helpless. Just 80 many dear
children 10 be cared for. ;"
Listen, Liza"
The rapid thud Of iron shod feet upon
the grassy yard below, the merry, care
less whlstling of rolliching rou-
lade, the unwonted sound Of mems
voices in laughter. Sans SOuci had al.
most forgotten the sound. How cruelty
iarrirg il sounded now. The laughter
Of an enemy is not contagious. Its inso-
lent security set every nerve III Liza .
overwrought system a-quiver. They
must know that their men Were not
there to strike awe into their sJuls.
What next?
Liza, You are not going TO faint.
Your lips are rs white as the walls.
Please don't faint, Liza"
Mamie laid violent hands upon her
friends shoulder and shook her almost
angrily.
Il am not going to faint. Mamie. Let
me alone. There Is too much To think
Of What have you done with Annalol:'
"Given her dose Of valerian. She
said her head ached. and wanted her
to sleep through it, Let us go down
stairs "
Yes let us 90 down stairs. Where
is Adrien:"
Uncle Dolbear took him to the
woods Will. lin, thauk goodWess "
Without other preamble than brief
military salute, with two fingers upon
the visor Of his cap, the sergeant in
command OF the squad halted before the
white faced group upon the gallery of
Sans Souci.
cam sorry to intrude, ladies, but we
are acting under orders. This house
must be searched. Men, insider'
Men, inside! Sirr' The scrgeant's
face clouded irritably at this distressed
female chorus.
"Am really sorry, ladies, but our or.
ders are to search the house.
Search this-house! Search-what
house? Search-it-for-wbat:'
Mrs Strong, trembling with wrath at
the sacrilege, but blushing with shame
for the duplicity that made her plant
her feet yet more firmly over the scars
Dolbear's clumsy carpentry had left on
the smooth planks Of the gallery floor,
repeated the words in series OF gasps.
''Rebs and weapons
"We are all rebels here, she waved
her white hand comprehensively, but
as for weapons, suppose that means
The lie would not come at her Did
ding. A flush of shame mounted slowly
to the very roots Of her soft, waving,
white hair. Had she not punished Adri
en- severely in his childhood for the
slightest deviation from truthfulness?
Anything, everything, from pop
gun up to q gatlin. ! guess, now, you
don't happen to be carryin q S2 pound
or round in your pocket.
The facetia of their leader produced
spasms Of mirth in the squad. Mrs.
Strong's pallid face grew yet shade
whittier.
Liza, glancing in hot wrath from the
pain in that patrician face to the coolly
insolent ones Of the men on the sward
beneath them, stepped TO the front at
this juncture, and with flashing eyes
took the lead.
"If You are looking for rebel soldiers,
you will not find one nearer than th'
family graveyard. He has received his
discharge from the great commander,
reverently lifting her small right hand
heavenward. If you are looking for
guns and-and things, You are wasting
your time We certainly have not left
them where you could find them. II