Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-06-09

"He may hold them In check for >
brief time" thought Oakman. "but
they will not allow me to escape There
win DO more fighting II l stay and
some Of these people win be hurt. The
right course is for me to take to the
woods'-
He was passing the farther end Of
! the mansion, with the intention OF
reaching the forest. from which he had
taken his fret survey Of the place, when
some one called to him in . guarded
undertone:
"One 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.
~ In the gloom. That her voice was
tremulous and that she betrayed much
excitement was no reflection on her
bravery.
Ignoring his question. she said re-
provingly:
1.-THE captain told you to come into
the house.
''He did. and he is brave, honorable
soldierl" replied Oakman, eager to rem
der this tribute to the gallant officer.
"But shall be safer in not obeying
him..
"Do you not believe we can hold
them at bay?"
There was something thrilling in her
reference to the defenders as "we''
"If bravery alone were sufficient. I
should be safe in the hands Of you and
the captain. But this house was never
intended for a fort, and. if they perse-
we're, they may burn it about our
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 to
reach the woods at tho rear Of your
plantation. and ! am sure they cannot
find me there
"Your plan is a good one. but there
is a better
"What is that2"
"Take my pony, Jack, and ride away.
There ism. an animal in Georgia nor
in the whole south. she proudly add
cd. THAT can overtake you"
''Where Is he?"
"When Pete brought me word that
you refused to use him, I told him to
return him to his hiding place in the
woods. Hunt mp Pete You know where
to find him. Let him conduct you round
to the road. and then don t spare Jack I"
The seconds were Of measureless val
ne. In the stiffness Of the night tho
angry voices were plainly audible in
the highway. Captain Trenholm 8 above
all the others, and it must be admitted
that his profanity was impressive in it's
way. Evidently the arguments and pro-
tests were at crisis.
Despite all this. Lieutenant Oakman
could not help saying:
II will accept your offer. thank
you from the bottom of my heart and
pledge myself that, if it be possible, Jack
shall be returned at the earliest hour. j"
II shall be grateful to receive him,
but l beg you to give the matter no
thought. and not to delay your depar-
ture another moment"
She was growing nervous over his
dallying.
well. goodby. Miss Eldridge. I hope
we shall meet under happier circum-
stances. but il we are never to see each
other. God bless you! l shall never.
never. forget the noblest daughter of
the south.
de 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 no
objection, neither did she respond. Her
dainty hand lay limp in his warm palm,
and she did not speak. He let 1t gently
fall and slipped away like a shadow
among the trees
Miss Eldridge stood for a full'minute.
listening after the sound Of his guarded
footsteps had become inaudible. II 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 hieh.
way. Captain Trenholm was never
noted for his angelic temper, and all the
signs indicated that an explosion wa
impending Her fear lest this should &C.
chr fastened the steps Of the young wo-
/ man.
''The first one that crosses that thresh.
old without invitation is dead mani
shouted the captain a. he resolutely
placed himself in front Of the hor,emen.
revolver in hand. .'And, to be spre /
don't make any mistake, I'll shoot him
ON his attempt to pass through the
4 gate"'
No one questions your bravery. can
tain, but Your bluff won't work wei.
bound to string up the Yank who shot
j captain Dick"
He shot him in fair fight. as he had
right to do. but
AT this juncture Miss Eldridse, who
had passed down the short lane in front
of her home leading to the highway
was recognized as she ran forward. Her
rn mr.. hys h.l A. n