Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-04-19
IN THE DEBATABLE Land.
Rv 8. EBhI8.

I He ~ silent q moment. and then
added in an awed undertone. 1T is the
hand of God and his ways are past
finding out
But it is perilous thing for soldier
to indulge in reverie when on duty or
in the enemy's country Recalling his
straying thoughts, Lieutenant Oakman
once more leveled his glass at the old
mansion. but with no more result than
before
81 must be expected. he said
This is the day that was set. and 1t
was understood that was not to ap,
pear on the edge Of the wood until the
afternoon | don t understand it. Per-
haps the news of the approach of our
army has frightened the family into
fight. but that isn't like the southern
people Though none of them is left ex-
cept the women and servants, they will
stand their ground in the face Of all
danger. calm. dignified. fearless, worthy
types of the noblest Of their sex. 1t
can t be that I've made mistaker he
added. startled by sudden fear
1t was evident from the musings Of
the New England officer. who until this
hour had never set foot in that part OF
Georgia. that he was acting upon the
knowledge impaired by some one who
knew every rod of the soil
"At Kinmore was to take the road
to the right and ride for four miles,
when | would reach point where a
fork turned into the woods on the left.
| did as directed and found the forest
highway at the exact point expected
| was to follow that for 300 yards.
when. if | looked sharp. would OBJ
serve a bride path Well. | looked
sharp and observed it Riding along
the same. | was told 1t soon emerged
from the trees and skirted these cotton
fields At the point where the path de-
bouches from the wood / was to halt
nv horse and wait for the signal
(which the same Is what I've been
doing for the last hour" added the
lieutenant impatiently might isn't
far off. and there is no time to lose !
promised the general to be with him by
tomorrow night. but my trip will be
bootless if the mansion yonder refuses
soon to give sign Hellol'
The instrument was lifted to his eyes
again. and on the instant confirmed the
belief that had suddenly thrilled him
From the upper window. on the right,
he saw hand waved Just above and
somewhat to one side he could catch
the partial contour of person 8 face.
manifestly watching him with as close
interest as he was studying the action
of the party for whom he had waited
80 long
The window was raised from the first.
and the impatience felt by the officer at
the delay in the communication vanish
ed the moment he knew that it had
been opened Holding the glass in place.
he waved the other gsuntleted hand in
salutation. slightly annoyed that his
friend failed to show himself more fully
and display signal of different ma
ture But not only did the stranger de.
cline to do that. but Unexpectedly and
exasperatingly he suddenly disappeared.
The perils of campaigning had taught
Lieutenant Oakman to think quickly.
THAT abrupt withdrawal means that
something threatening has taken place
in the house or near me.
Since one contingency was as proba-
ole az the other the officer glanced rap
idly at his surroundings and as he did
so both eye and ear revealed the alarm
ing fact that person was standing 20
feet away intently watching him