The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-04-11
IContinued.]
CHAPTER VII.
JNnFR THE TRFFS

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 30 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 as
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 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 Ey way of emphasis and again
with no purpose at all.
After few words the young woman
said:
cit seems inhospitable, lieutenant,
after your brief stay with us for me to
urge you to leave, but am compelled
to do so. -
"When I 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 construedf''
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 it was sorely
needed.
| The gentle face became thoughtful,
and after moments silence she said
in 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 a Union officer under our roof"
''And thereby have placed General
Eldridge in false position.
''It is not that. He is too chivalrous
to object. In truth he would have been
displeased had we failed in our duty,
but there are others who do not think
rs he does
''Not Masters and Ackers2"
''Their treatment of you does not
warrant your distrust.
The officers face flushed and he made
haste to apologize.
'It does not, but they might be obey
ing the orders Of others. I 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,
ticking off stragglers. Some Of them
lre in this neighborhood.
'They are and mean to pay you q
visit"
"But I am already prisoner.
"And yet confined in no prison.
The words meant good deal. Lieu
tenant Oakman felt that the most chiv-
alrous enemy would have been justified
lin objecting to the privileges he en-
joyed.
''Miss Eldridge, could have carried
out my wish 1 should have left this
lovely home several days ago" q"
She had resumed her gouging of the
farth at her feet, and for minute
leemed absorbed in the progress she
was making. Then again she turned
her face sideways and asked with {
bright smile:
"Why2'
The officer would have been spittet
before telling all that was in his mind
81 am entirely recovered from m.
wound and could have gone before this
Instead 1 am in the unworthy position
of an ablebodied soldier lingering in tn
rear when his country needs the servic
of every one of its sons
She did not respond until she com
pleted digging a ragged orifice littl
farther in front of the hem of her dress
Then, still surveying the tiny pit, sh
said:
"Not your country, but your sec
ton"
'No, allow me-mine-your country
for such it is and shall be to the end c
J, time"
:, How many southern girls would hav
r permitted these words to pass unrebuk
: ed? To the majority, it would hav
proved the spark to the powder maga
zine.
Suppose he had uttered them to Mis-
: Hartmann But no-the suppositio
was incredible.
He was frightened by his own temel
ity and looked questioningly at her.
The gouging of the pointed wood ha
y excavated a symmetrical orifce in th
: dirt. Several grains were flung over tt
J toe of the Cinderellalikesh shoe. She fir
ed them off and continued digging, &
if prompted by a definite purpose. HI
1t face was grave, but she remained S
tss lent.
S, "Have my words given offense
10 asked the lieutenant with pang of Sc
ID reproach, while studying the perfe
profile before him.
"No. l could not respect you wei
- I-orr ,onf;moo+, IiFforapt