Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-09-30

ATTACKED.

folded paper. L opened it, and read,
scrawled in pencil. in the generals |
Remain in charge OF prisoner. Keep |
strict guard. On no account permit her |
to communicate with anyone"
"What does it mean 2" asked
They're all gone"
Gomez"
fore daylight, and the whole command,
except Maj. Snaffie's men, took the road
north"
"And left me behind in charge of .
womani"
L got up, and went to the well-house,
where cooled my anger by sousing my
head and face in cold water. The gen.
eral had evidently gone on reconnois-
sance towards the railroad, and did
not believe he would get near il with
out fight. Perhaps at that very mo-
ment he was engaged with an enemy,
while loitered about n country house
in charge of a girl. There was some
recompense when June, the old darby
who had aided me in my search, came to
me with the information that breakfast
had been served for me by his mistress
orders in the dining-room.
What mistress ?"
DE ole mist'ess."
"Well, now, 1 like that. I've got her
daughter upstairs under guard, and she
returns the attention by ordering me
hot breakfast. Go up and present my
compliments to Miss Beach and tell her
/ would be happy of her company. No,
that won't do. The guard wouldn't let
her come. will go myself"
1 climbed the stairs and knocked at
the door. 1t was opened by Misc Beach,
whose color left her checks when she
saw me, doubtless fearing she was to be
| led out for some new infection. l lifted
my forage-cap and invited her to go
| down TO breakfast. Her expression
quickly changed from terror to relief,
I, her face breaking into a smile so happy,
| so innocent that / wondered how she
[ could be engaged in what involved con-
J slant deceit.
Going downstairs, we took our seats
at the table. Looking over the scant
meal-we had Jared much better by
\ foraging on the country, the country
| faring less sumptuously because we
! foraged on i'll made up my mind that
I would look elsewhere for a dinner.
But / maintained sufficient politeness
to eat what was set before me, especial.
ly as / had not been urged to quarter
myself with my hosts
'Are there no others to join us?"
asked.
Mamma prefers to keep her room
1 teT an n fhf
window upstairs has the same prefer
ence. Would you mind forwarding al
invitation?"
A slight pallor spread itself over he
4 face. ] regretted my words, and deter
/ mined not TO spoil our breakfast b,
again touching on that which woul'
pain her, so turned my remarks to or
|, binary topics. She listened to all said
but / doubt if her mind was momcn
or her critical position. My curiosit.
at last got the better of my resolution.
:, Tell me-" / said, in a tone to invit
; confidence, "how did you dare carr
those plans, knowing that if caught 70
would be Liable to death penalty?"
4 She shuddered. but made no reply.
Ibid YOU realize what you were do
ing?"
. Still there was no answer. Why WI
!. women be dumb when they have gre;
' deal TO say, and garrulous when the
words are worthless? / got up fro
/, the table, crammed my hands into m
= breeches-pockets, and stalked back an
: forth. Presently ! stopped and face
her.
Haven't treated you kindly?"
very"
"Then confide in me. Tell me VIII
, all this means"
what do you wish to know?"
"You have declared yourself to be
union girl, yet you are captured wi
information in your possession eviden
ly destined for the confederates.
would expect another to tell any falls
70 hood essential under such circul
. stances, but somehow you are
: young, so apparently guileless. Gil
me a chance to-"
She extended her hand and grasp
le mine with look of gratitude. Il thai
!. You, but you can't help me-"
IL There was something so decided
le her Withholding of confidence that
gave up the effort to gain it.
is II must send you upstairs now, b
u before you go want you to forgl
me"
For what?'
Being your jailer."
u You are only doing your duty, a
% doing it as considerably as possible.
Ut "And you don't detest me for it p
nc ION the contrary, 1 like you
10 called the corporal of the guard, a
she was conducted to her ROOM
= was no sooner away from her I'll
~ ! was vexed at the sympathy |
shown. What reason had l to inter
myself IN this young confederate, v
nu mad doubtless been selected for
OF work on account of her capacity
io' lying? l wanted to get out into the
ana pull myself together, so I cal
for my horse, mounted, and sent
Id flying down the road. 1 passed y
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