The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-04-18
the proffer with his profQundest graft:

Through fear that she might Offend |
Captain Trenholm as he expressed it. |
Heavens, if she only would offend him
beyond the possibility of pardon, how
the heart of the fugitive would leap
with joyl
But perhaps he did net comprehend
the mysteries of his own heart. When
a worthy man has said or done an un-
worthy thing, his desperation urges
him to go to further lengths, which
fact will account for Lieutenant Oak
mans absurd but characteristic hope
that he might have second opportuni-
ty to turn aside more pointedly than
before the gentle hand helpingly ex-
tended to him.
But the hoof beats increased in dis
tinctness. The men were approaching
| at a sweeping gallop over the main
| highway. If they followed the same
course with him, he must soon be over
taken. While there were no woods on
either side of the road, he was confident
of escaping detection by climbing the
rail fence and lying fiat on the ground,
provided he adopted the stratagem be-
fore being observed by his pursuers.
Prudence demanded that he should
do this at once, but he was toe impa
tient to throw away any time. He in
creased his pace, continually listening
and often pausing to glance to the
| rear.
When the sounds indicated that the
horsemen were close to the fork of the
road, Oakman vaulted over the fence
and stood in the attitude of intense at
tenticn. The ground was dry for the
season, and in the stiffness the hoofs
rang out with unusual clearness. There
were several moments when he was GER
tain the party had turned to the right
and would soon pass the spot Before
secreting himself he meant to wait un-
til he could see the foremost horsemen.
: But they did not appear, and the re-
ceding sounds proved that they had rid
den past the fork and were galloping
up the main highway with unabated
speed.
"How long will they keep at itf" he
asked himself, climbing back into the
road. tI don't see how they can expect
, to capture me when they must know
am sure to discover their approach.
Perhaps they mean to get in front
, raise hue and cry, and by rousing the
country head me off,
Lieutenant Oakman's danger wal
| real, and he knew it. He had nothing
to fear from the regular Confederate
, forces, for he was in uniform and car
ried with him the proof that he was {
! regularly exchanged prisoner, entitled
, to safe conduct through the enemy
{ lines. But there were lowering on tn,
3 outskirts of the Union and Confederat,
armies troops of irregular cavalry, tech
nically known as guerrillas, who dis
3 regarded the laws of civilized warfare
The reproach Of the existence of sucl
4 men belongs in greater or less degre
to both sides during the war.
: The belief of Lieutenant Oakman wa
s that party of these free riders ha'
learned of his presence at the home o
General Eldridge and had arranged t.
e visit the place and summarily ''remove'
: him. He fled just in time to escape, o
a perhaps to postpone fight with them
He continued his journey like maj
: to whom the country was unfamiliar
He was on the alert, and had not gon
far, when he deserted that for which b
was looking. From dwelling on tn
d left shone light, its few rays piercin
: the trees and reaching the highway
: from which it was separated by lon
lane, inclosed by tall trees, whose top
appeared almost to meet.
The lieutenant hurried his pace and
turning through the open gate, entere
;. the avenue that recalled many he ha
seen in his native state and for the me
ment caused touch of homesicknes:
!. He half expected to hear the baying O
dog, but the place, like General E.
T dridge's, seemed to be unprovided wit
= the convenient nuisances. The hous
and grounds were similar to those b
- had left short time before, but G
\ much more modest proportions.
9 This dwelling, it may as well b
: stated, was the residence of two sisters
er unmarried, both in middle life. The
! were the only occupants, with the e1
= ception of number of colored servants
. some of whom dwelt in small wing {
= the building and the others in thei
% regular quarters.
Without hesitation, the ieutenan
% stepped upon the porch and was in tn
act of reaching up to sound the bi
:, brass knocker, when the door was draw
% inward and woman, tall, slim, sever
of feature and plainly dressed, stood re
/ vealed by the light of a candle on tabl
= at the side of the broad hall.
q officer, cap in hand.
q "It is. And you are Lieutenant Oal
- man?''
cat your service, madam"
"a "You are expected. Come in"