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

1uOS0 llueS JOiu b StOIy JOO OIuluOue
to be disregarded. The hand in which
they were written was labored and dis
guised, but Lieutenant Oakman knew
the writer as unerringly as did the one
who penciled the words.
He held the candle that he hae
brought to his apartment in front Of
the slip of paper until every syllable
was read. Then he turned the missivf
over and glanced at the other side
There was nothing more. The fatefu1
message was stamped upon his brain
forever.
Setting down the candle, he twisted
up the paper, held one end to the fame
and did not stir until the charred atoms
dropped to the floor. Every vestige was
gone, and no harm could ever come to
the writer of the friendly warning
The officer sat down in his chair,
which was placed close to the window,
whose sash was raised. 1t was through
that window that the hand was thrust
in answer to his signal from the margin
of the wood. What had become Of that
individual who thus began stealthy
communication only to terminate it
abruptly at sight of the negro lad
standing near the Union officerf How
came he in that room and whittier had
he taken himself during the stay of the
prisoner?
Apparently it was not these questions
that perplexed Oakman. His thoughts
ran in different channel
Wbop ho- ho1o hsc Fri ry<od NIGHT
below stairs, it was with the under
| standing that he was to remain in the
house until the morrow, when he would
| ride away on the horse of Captain Tren-
| holm. But here was an unmistakable
notification that the life Of the guest
depended upon his leaving the dwelling
before sunrise.
"What will not a man give in ex-
change for his lifef" The officer i'm
plicitly believed the words penciled on
the paper, but there were several things
in this business that he could not un.
derstand.
| While il was impossible to implicate
Miss Eldrilge, it was almost as difficult
to suspect Captain Trenholm, and yet to
believe the note almost forced the latter
conclusion.
When the mind enters upon the path
of suspicion, scores of suggestions seem
to intensity ones distrust.
The captain lamented his inability te
provide the exchanged prisoner with ar
escort, and yet, with Miss Eldridge'i
animal at command, he could have &C
companied him until such escort wal
secured.
Was that letter, written below stairs
with such a parade, an honest one
Would not those who stopped the horse
man on his way read something between
the lines, not legible to the bearer
Would not the presence of the Uniol
officer in the saddle of the Confederate
horse be taken as damning proof agains
him1
i Was not the insistence of the captain
that their guest should stay in tn
house until morning designed to hell
those that were plotting against his life
The dismal state of the lieutenant
mind can be understood when it is add
ed that he not only asked himself thes
questions but was unable to answe
them satisfactorily to himself.
Opposed to these misgivings was tn
almost self evident fact that Captain
Trenholm, like all his associates, was al
honorable officer. 1t was inconceivabl
that he would engage in anything ik
treachery. Could it be that his intru
sion upon the scene, as the betrothed o
Miss Eldridge, had, all unsuspected b.
Oakman, something to do with his dis
trust of the mani
But, seated by his window, the lieu
tenant felt that he might go on specu
lating and theorizing until involved il
an inextricable maze. As an intelligen
being he must resolutely face the fact
and guide his course accordingly.
Self preservation demanded that b
should leave that house at night and b
stealth, and he determined to do 80.
He had precious little in the way G
luggage to incumber him. He carrie
only few small toilet articles in one {
his pockets, and that included all b
brought to the mansion of General E
bridge
1t was with curious emotion ths
he examined the sleeve of his militar
coat The slash made by the knife {
Jim Ackers, the better to examine th
wound, had been sewed together wit