Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-04-26
CHAPTER X.
BY MOONLIGHT.


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 had
brought to his apartment in front of
the slip of paper until every syllable
was read. Then he turned the missive
over and glanced at the other side
There was nothing more. The fateful
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 It 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 oficerf How
came he in that room and whittier had
he taken himself during the stay of the
prisoners
Apparently 1t was not these questions
that perplexed Oakman. His thoughts
ran in different channel
When he bade his friends good 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 lifes' The officer i'm
plicitly believed the words penciled on
the paper hnt there were several things
in this business that he could not un-
derstard
While it was impossible to implicate
Miss Eldridge, 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 to
provide the exchanged prisoner with an
escort. and yet, with Miss Eldridge's
animal at command, he could have &C.
companied him until such escort was
secured
Was that letter, written below stairs
with such a parade, an honest onef
Would not those who stopped the horse
man on his way read something between
the lines. not legible to the bearerR
Would not the presence of the Union
officer in the saddle of the Confederate's
horse be taken as damning proof against
him3
Was not the insistence of the captain
that their guest should stay in the
house until morning designed to help
those that were plotting against his life2
The dismal state of the lieutenant's
mind can be understood when it is add
ed that he not only asked himself these
questions. but was unable to answer
them satisfactorily to himself
Opposed to these misgivings was the
almost self evident fact that Captain
Trenholm. like all his associates, was an
honorable officer 1t was inconceivable
that he would engage in anything like
treachery Could it be that his intru-
sion upon the scene. as the betrothed Of
Miss Eldridge, had, all unsuspected by
Oakman. something to do with his dis
trust of the man9
But, seated by his window. the lieu
tenant felt that he might 60 on specu-
lating and theorizing until involved in
an inextricable maze. AS an intelligent
being he must resolutely face the facts
and guide his course accordingly
Self preservation demanded that he
should leave that house at night and by
stealth. and he determined to do So
He had precious little in the way of
luggage to incumber him. He carried
only few small toilet articles in one of
his pockets, and that included all he
brought to the mansion Of General FL
bridge
1t was with curious emotion that
he examined the sleeve of his military
coat. The slash made by the knife Of