Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-04-26
Copyright, 1899, by the Author.
CHAPTER VII
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UNDER THE TREES.

ElQf1QR6 ne was SduuGeTluS IuOuSu1'
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 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 a hat trimmed by
her own hands with taste that would
have won a 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:
"It seems inhospitable. lieutenant.
after your brief stay with US for Inc to
urge you to leave. but I 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 construed3''
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 Union officer under our roof.
"And thereby have placed General
Eldridge in false position. y
1T 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
as ne does
mot Masters aud AckersH'
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 off 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 good deal. Lieu
tenant Oakman felt that the most chlv-
alrous enemy would have been justified
in objecting to the privileges he en-
joyed.
Miss Eldridge could have carried
out my wish 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 a
bright smile
"Why?"
The officer would have been spitted
before telling all that was in his mind
II am entirely recovered from my
wound and could have gone before this
Instead l 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
mot your country. but your Sec
ton
mo. 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'
ed2 To the majority. it would have
proved the spark to the powder maga-
zine
Suppose he had uttered them to Miss
Hartman? But no-the suppostion
was incredible.
He was frightened by his own temer
ity and looked questioningly at her
The gouging of the pointed wood had
excavated symmetrical oritice in the
dirt Several grains were flung over the
toe of the Cinderellalike shoe. She tiirt
ed them off and continued digging, as
if prompted by definite purpose Hel
face was grave. but she remained 81
lent
Have my words given offenseT
asked the lieutenant with a pang of sell
reproach. while studying the perfect
profile before him
mo could not respect you were
YOUR sentiments different.
What a superb creature she was