The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-04-11

presence of the wondering, chagrined
and-shall it be said-mentally tortured
Union officer.
Then, recalling her forgetfulness, she
presented Captain Wager Trenholm to
Lieutenant Ledyard Oakman of the
Union army. The Confederate officer
extended his hand.
''Happy to meet you, lieutenant I
learned few days ago of your misfor-
tune and also of your good fortune in
being quartered at the home of General
Eldridge'
''There can be no question of my
good FORTUNE. A son and brother could
not have been treated with more kind
ness than 1. -
(Which is all matter of course,
wherever this family is concerned. New
ertheless, have come to inform you
that you are no longer prisoner.
''How is that. captain2' p
The big, handsome soldier laughed
heartily.
81 have become so accustomed to be-
ing taken prisoner that it is growing
slightly monotonous. / fell into the
hands of a party of your folks the other
day. Through Tim Masters and Jim
Ackers, two of our scouts word came to
your people that you were staying at
the house of General Eldridge, as a
wounded and paroled prisoner. While
it may not have been strictly en- regle,
the situation was SO peculiar that an
arrangement was made by which was
paroled and set free under the pledge
that I should make the agreements
known to you, and that upon your ar
rival within the Union lines the ex-
change would be completed and we
could both straightway set to work to
cut each others throat-begging your
pardon, ,Adele-with our aforetime vigor
and honesty"
That, then, was the simplified situa-
tion. The exchange, SO far as Captain
Trenholm was concerned, was complet-
ed. All that remained was for Lieuten-
ant Oakman to get back to his own
lines, which might prove easy or impos-
sible. Usage required that he should be
provided with an escort, but in the gen.
eral turmoil and confusion that was
difficult, if not wholly out of the ques-
ton.
But the captain in his breezy way
suggested solution:
81 will give you letter, signed by
myself, certifying that you are Union
officer who has been regularly exchanged
and is therefore entitled to safe conduct
to your own lines. I am sure the pres
| of <hot k<,
ever stops you will be sufficient to clea1
the path.
''You are entitled to an escort, add
ed the Confederate, "and it is quite
likely one will be furnished you. re
gret that, inasmuch as I have ridder
the last ten miles alone, it is out of my
power to aid you, but I am sure yor
will find my letter all that is needed il
the way of passport. You will re-
main with us few weeks until fully
recovered
"Many thanks, captain, but I an
now fully recovered"
Miss Eldridge. who was looking int
his countenance, remained silent
Strange that she did not unite in tn,
request of her friendl It would hav'
made no difference in the decision O
the lieutenant, but he felt a pang o
disappointment at this evidence of he
Indifference.
But why should she feel otherwise
She was a native Georgian, with he
heart bound up in the triumph of south
ern independence. The man at her sid
was her hero. Their tastes, hopes, as
pirations, prayers, dreams and longing
were the same. The other had beel
sheltered at her home; but, all the same
he was an enemy.
It II the fashion for the story write
TO make the wounded Union officer wi
the heart Of the fiery southern girl.
was done many time, but not Away
"What warrant had 1 for any sue
grotesque hopef" Lieutenant Oakma
asked himself. But for the coming {
his rival he would never have confesse
even to himself that he had ever bel
such hope ''She and her mother fe
pity for me. That's all. This fello
is an Internal sight better looking tina
l. He's a Confederate. He gained h'
!, love long ago, and-bahi" he added
the acme of self disgust. "What mol
umental ass I am making of myself"
And he ground the bud to pulp III
der his heel.
After the happy meal was fnishe
,, the captain, overflowing with hie
spirits, moved to stand at the side
!, the room and wrote with many fou
ishes the letter whose nature has alreaG
, been made known. Folding it up,
addressed it in his large round han
"To whom it may greeting.
. "There," he added in his genial fas
!, ion, 81 am sure that will prove Co
: of armor even if not quite in accordan
: with the usages of war;"
'tMany thanks. 1t cannot fail me,
replied the lieutenant, accepting Il
document, which he placed securely
an inside pocket of his coat, after whi'