The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-07-27

sight, neither the rage nor the threats
nor the resistance Of the captain would
be sufficient to prey emit the fierce troop
ers from shooting the Union officer.
''He may hold them in check for
brief time" thought Oakman, "but
they will not allow me to escape. There
will be more fighting if I stay and
some of these people will 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 first survey of the place, when
some one called to him in guarded
undertone:
Zone moment, leutenant!'
He stopped short and looked around
"'Good heavens, Miss Eldridge! 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 her
bravery.
Ignoring his question. she said re-
provingly:
''The captain told you to come into
the house
''He did, and he is brave, honorable
soldier!' replied Oakman eager to rem
der this tribute to the gallant officer.
'But I shall be safer in not obeying
him.
EDO you not believe we can hold
them at bay?'
There was something thrilling in he1
reference to the defenders as ''we.'
eff bravery alone were sufficient, I
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 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 the rear of your
plantation, and I am sure they cannot
find me there.
"Your plan is good one. but there
is better y
''What is that?'
'Take my pony, Jack, and ride away
There isn't an animal in Georgia nor
in the whole SOUTH she proudly add
| ed, "that can overtake you.
| ''Where is he?''
"When Pete brought me word that
you refused to use him, told him to
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 don t spare Jack. -
The seconds We're Of measureless val
ue. In the stiffness Of the night the
angry voices were plainly audible in
the highway, Captain Trenholm above
all the others, and it must be admitted
that his profanity was impressive in its
way. Evidently the arguments and pro-
tests were at crisis.
Despite all this, Lieutenant Oakman
could not help saying:
81 will accept your offer. I thank
you from the bottom Of my heart and
pledge myself that, if it be possible, Jack
shall be returned at the earliest hour
II shall be grateful to receive him,
but I 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 if we are never to see each
other. God bless you! I shall never,
| %1o 80
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 no
objection, neither did she respond Her
dainty hand lay limp in his warm palm.
and she did not speak. He let it gently
fall and slipped away like a 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
r gave a 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 neve,
| noted for his angelic temper, and all the
, signs indicated that an explosion was
5 impending. Her fear lest this should oc
l cur fastened the steps Of the young wo
3 man.
l 'sThe first one that crosses that thresh
q old without invitation is a dead mani
I shouted the captain as he resolutely
placed himself in front of the horsemen
: revolver in hand. ''And, to be sure
h don't make any mistake, I'll shoot hin
S on his attempt to pass through tn
= gate!''
i "No one questions your bravery, cap
e tain, but your bluff won't work. Weir
q bound to string up the Yank who sho
It Captain Dick
''He shot him in fair fight, as he ha'
n a right to do, butt
) At this juncture Miss Eldridge, VIII
n | bod ,occo1 Iox1,~, %1oo o1,o~k lava fro,.