Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-31
CHAPTER VII.
UNDER THE TREES.


between Lieutenant Oakman and Miss
Eldridge He was sauntering thought
fully homeward after recovering his re-
volver. happy at his good fortune and
wondering over the future, when. in
passing through the spacious, shaded
grounds. he raised his eyes and saw the
young lady seated on one Of the rustic
benches scarcely 90 PAGES away.
She was looking toward him and, as
she caught his glance, nodded and al
most unconsciously made room for him.
A singular thrill stirred the officer az
he raised his cap, and. slightly quicken
ing his pace, placed himself at the side
Of the young lady.
A touch Of summers softness lin
gered in the air. but the shapely shoul.
ders were infolded in light shawl and
the head covered by q hat trimmed by
her own hands with taste that would
have Won compliment in Paris itself.
She even carried parasol, which was
folded, while she used the sharp point
to dig the ground at her feet, some
times by way Of emphasis and again
with no purpose at all.
After few words the young woman
said:
1T seems inhospitable, lieutenant.
after your brief stay with Us for me to
urge you to leave. but am compelled
to do so. ~
when | have received so much
kindness from your family, there can
be no such thing as inhospitality on
your part.
my words sound very like it. How
else can they be construed"
She had begun gouging the soft
ground near the point Of one of her tiny
shoes with the tip Of her parasol and
looked upward and sideways at him
with faint smile.
1.-The motive must be the interpreter.
Your words are prompted by the same
feeling that led you and your mother TO
extend hospitality when 1t was sorely
needed.
The gentle face became thoughtful,
and after moments silence she said
In q lower tone:
"You speak the truth, for you are in
danger.
"Such has been my situation from
the first.
"But the danger has become immi-
nent Despite the care we have used it
has become known that we are shelter
ing Union officer under our roof"
"And thereby have placed General
Eldridge in a false position. ="
1T is not that. He is too chivalrous
10 object. In truth be would have been
iispleased had we failed in our duty,
but there are others who do not think
ss he does
"Not Masters aud Ackersf'
Their treatment Of you does not
warrant your distrust.
The officers face flushed and he made
haste TO apologize.
ut does not, but they might be obey
ing the orders Of others. understand
that since the Union army has passed
through this section there are many
Confederate cavalrymen lowering on
the outskirts at the rear Of the force,
picking Of stragglers. Some OF them
are in this neighborhood.
They are and mean to pay you
visit"
"But am already prisoner.
"And yet confined in no prison.
The words meant a good deal. Lieu
tenant Oakman felt that the most chiv-
alrous enemy would have been justified
in objecting to the privileges he en-
joyed.
Miss Eldridgs, could have carried
out my wish I should have left this
lovely home several days ago"
She had resumed her gouging Of the
earth at her feet, and for minute
seemed absorbed in the progress she
was making. Then again she turned
her face sideways and asked with q
bright smile:
"Whyf"
The officer would have been spitted
before telling all that was in his mind.
81 am entirely recovered from my
wound and could have gone before this.
Instead am in the unworthy position
Of an ablebodied soldier lingering in the
rear when his country needs the service
of every one Of its sons.
She did not respond until she com
pleted digging ragged orifice little
farther in front Of the hem Of her dress
Then, still surveying the tiny pit, she
said:
"Not your country, but your Sec
tion.
"No, allow me-mine-your country,
for such it is and shall be to the end of
time"
How many southern girls would have
permitted these words to pass unrebuk-
edi To the majority, 1t would have
proved the spark to the powder maya
zine.
Suppose he had uttered them to Miss
Hartmann But no-the supposition
was Incredible.
He was frightened by his own temer-
ity and looked questioningly at her.
The gouging Of the pointed wood had
excavated o symmetrical orifice in the
dirt. Several grains were flung over the
toe Of the Cinderellalike shoe. She flirt-
ed them of and continued digging, as
II nromrt.d bv definite nurnose. her