Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-05-03

"CIe moment. lieutenantr'
He stopped short and looked around.
"Good heavens. Miss Eldridgel What
brings you here at this timer
She paused couple of PAGES away.
where she could be seen only indistinct'
ly in the gloom. That her voice was
tremulous and that she betrayed much
excitement was no reflection on hel
bravery.
Ignoring his question, she said re-
provingly:
"The captain told you to come into
the house.
"He did. and he is a brave. honorable
soldier!" replied Oakman. eager to rem
der this tribute to the gallant officer.
"But I shall be safer in not obeyine
him.
"Do you not believe we can hold
them at bayF'
There was something thrilling in hel
reference to the defenders as 1--WE"
"If bravery alone were sufficient.
should be safe in the hands Of you and
the captain. But this house was never
intended for fort. and, if they perse'
we're, they may burn it about oul
heads
"They would not dare do that.
Ordinarily they would not, but
shot their leader. and they are deter.
mined to get at me- It will be easy tc
reach the woods at the rear Of ycul
plantation. and I am sure they cannot
find me there
"Your plan is good one. but there
is q better.
"What is that2" --.--
"Take my pony. Jack. and ride away.
There isn't an animal in Georgia no,
in the whole south. she proudly add
ed, "that can overtake you"
"Where is her p
when Pete brought me word that
you refused to use him, I told him tc
return him to his hiding place in the
woods. Hunt up Pete. You know where
to find him. Let him conduct you round
to the road. and then dom spare Jack. .
The seconds were of measureless val
ne. In the stiffness of the night the
angry voices were plainly audible II
the highway. Captain Trenhofm's above
all the others, and it must be admitted
that his profanity was impressive in itt
way. Evidently the arguments and pro-
tests were at crisis
Despite all this, Lieutenant Oakmar
could not help saying:
~ will accept your offer. I thank
you from the bottom Of my heart and
pledge myself that. if it be possible, Jacl
shall be returned at the earliest hour.
II shall be grateful to receive him.
but 1 beg you to give the matter nc
thought, and not to delay your depar
ture another moment.
She was growing nervous over hi
dallying.
"Well. goodby. Miss Eldridge. l hope
we shall meet under happier circum
stances. but if we are never to see each
other. God bless you'll l shall never,
never. forget the noblest daughter oi
the south.
He extended his hand, and she met it.
In the excess of his feelings he was
pardonable if his pressure was fervent
and was prolonged few seconds longer
than was necessary; but. offering nc
objection. neither did she respond. Hel
dainty hand lay limp in his warm palm,
and she did not speak. He let it gently
fall and slipped away like shadow
among the trees
Miss Eldridge stood for full minute,
listening after the sound of his guarded
footsteps had become inaudible. If she
had any misgiving that he would re-
turn. it quickly vanished Then she
gave faint sigh and walked in the op'
posite direction.
That which attracted her was the
sound of the angry voices in the high
way. Captain Trenholm was never
noted for his angelic temper. and all the
signs indicated that an explosion was
impending: Her fear lest this should oc.
cur hastened the steps Of the young wo-
man
1.-The first one that crosses that thresh-
old without invitation is dead mani
shouted the captain as he resolutely
placed himself in front of the horsemen,
revolver in hand And, to be sure !
don't make any mistake, I'll shoot him
on his attempt to pass through the
gatel"
"No one questions your bravery, cap
tain. but your bluff won't work We're
bound to string up the Yank who shot
Captain Dick"
"He shot him in fair fight. as he had
a right to do. but
At this juncture Miss Eldridge, who
had passed down the short lane in front
Of her home leading to the highway,
was recognized as she ran forward. Her
appearance hushed the turmoil for the
moment. though it was apparent that 1t
could not placate the wrath Of the raid
ere.
As the horsemen saluted she said:
"If you will excuse me for minute,
I will say something privately to the
captain.