The Princeton union., 1899-11-09
Nv
ATTACKED.
"lieutenant!"

strict guard. On no account permit her
to communicate with anyone"
what does it mean?" asked.
They're all gone"
Gomez
''Yes, sir, boots and saddles, long be-
fore daylight, and the whole command,
except Maj. Snaffle's men, took the road
north"
And left me behind in charge of q
woman!"
got up, and went to the well-house,
where I cooled my anger by sousing my
head and face in cold water. The gen.
cral had evidently gone on a reconnois-
sance towards the railroad, and did
not believe he would get near it with
out fight. Perhaps at that very mo-
ment he was engaged with an enemy,
while I loitered about a country house
in charge of a girl. There was some
recompense when June, the old darky
who had aided me in my search, came to
me with the information that breakfast
had been served for me by his mistress
orders in the dining-room.
what mistress?"
DE ole mist'css."
"Well, now, like that. I've got her
daughter upstairs under guard, and she
returns the attention by ordering me
hot breakfast. Go up and present my
compliments to Miss Beach and tell her
I would be happy of her company. No,
that won't do. The guard wouldn't let
her come. I will go myself"
I climbed the stairs and knocked at
the door. 1t was opened by Miss Beach,
whose color left her cheeks when she
saw me, doubtless fearing she was to be
led out for some new inhiction. lifted
my forage-cap and invited her to go
down to breakfast. Her expression
quickly changed from terror to relief,
her face breaking into smile so happy,
so innocent, that wondered how she
could be engaged in what involved con-
stant deceit.
Going downstairs, we took our seats
at the table. Looking over the scant
meal-we had Jared much better by
foraging on the country, the country
faring less sumptuously because we
foraged on it-I made up my mind that
l would look elsewhere for dinner.
But l maintained sufficient politeness
to eat what was set before me, especial
ly as I had not been urged to quarter
myself with my hosts.
Are there no others to join us?" I
I, asked. =,
Mamma prefers to keep her room" !"
Il presume the person I saw at the
window upstairs has the same prefer
ence. Would you mind forwarding an
invitation:'
A slight pallor spread itself over her
face. l regretted my words, and deter
mined not to spoil our breakfast by
again touching on that which would
pain her, so turned my remarks to or
dinary topics. She listened to all I said,
but doubt if her mind was moment
off her critical position. My curiosity
at last got the better of my resolution.
Tell me-" said, in tone to invite
confidence, "how did you dare carry
those plans, knowing that if caught yoo
would be liable to death penalty?'
She shuddered, but made no reply.
did you realize what you were do
ing?"
Still there was no answer. Why will
women be dumb when they have grea
deal to say, and garrulous when thei
words are worthless? l got up iron
the table, crammed my hands into m
breeches-pockets, and stalked back an
forth. Presently I stopped and face
her.
Haven't treated you lindly?"
Very"
''Then confde in me. Tell me wha
all this means"
'What do you wish to know?"
you have declared yourself to be
union girl, yet you are captured wit
information in your possession eviden'
ly destined for the confederates.
would expect another to tell any fals'
hood essential under such circun
stances, but somehow you are S
young, so apparently guileless. Civ
me a chance to"
She extended her hand and graspe
mine with a look of gratitude. II than
you, but you can't help me-"
There was something so decided
her withholding of confidence that
! gave up the effort to gain it.
before you 60 want you to forgi'
me-"
For what?"
!. Being your jailer."
You are only doing your duty, al
doing it as considerably as possible" !"
''And you don't detest me for it?"
ION the contrary, like you."
called the corporal of the guard, al
she was conducted to her room.
I was no sooner away from her tn;
was vexed at the sympathy I b
shown. What reason had I to intere
myself in this young confederate, w
had doubtless been selected for b
work on account of her capacity
lying? wanted to get out into the {
and pull myself together, so 1 call
for my horse, mounted, and sent h
g. flying down the road. I passed M
snafae's two companies, watching t
pike half mile below, the MAJ