The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-07-27
in this business that he could not M.


Miss Eldridge, it was almost as difficult
to suspect Captain Trenholm, and yet to
believe the note almost forced the latter
conclusion.
When the mind enters upon the path
OF suspicion, scores Of suggestions seem
to intensity ones distrust.
The captain lamented his inabilityto
provide the exchanged prisoner with an
escort, and yet, with Miss Eldridge's
animal at command, he could have ac-
companied him until such escort was
secured.
Was that letter, written below stairs
with such parade, an honest one?
Would not those who stopped the horse
man on his way read something between
the lines, not legible to the bearer :?
Would not the presence Of the Union
officer in the saddle of the Confederate's
horse be taken as damning proof against
him?
Was not the insistence of the captain
that their guest should stay in the
house until morning designed to help
those that were plotting against his life !?
The dismal state Of the ieutenant's
mind can be understood when it is add
ed that he not only asked himself these
questions, but was unable to answer
them satisfactorily to himself z
Opposed to these misgivings was the
almost self evident fact that Captain
Trenholm, like all his associates, was an
honorable officer. It was inconceivable
that he would engage in anything like
treachery. Could it be that his intru-
sion upon the scene, as the betrothed of
Miss Eldridge, had, all unsupported by
Oakman, something to do with his dis
trust of the man? I
But, seated by his window, the lieu
tenant felt that he might go on specu-
lating and theorizing until involved in
an inextricable maze. AS an intelligent
being he must resolutely face the facts
and guide his course accordingly. =
Self preservation demanded that he
should leave that house at night and by
stealth, and he determined to do so.
He had precious little in the way of
luggage to incumber him. He carried
only few small toilet articles in one of
his pockets, and that included all he
brought to the mansion of General FL
bridge.
It was with a curious emotion that
he examined the sleeve Of his military
coat. The slash made by the knife of
Jim Ackers, the better to examine the
wound, had been sewed together with
such dizziness that the seam was hardly
visible
And the needle and thread that did
it were manipulated by the dainty fin
gers Of Miss Eldridge. 4
Lieutenant Oakman suddenly gripped
the sleeve fercely to tear it asunder.
Then his face flushed with shame at the
unworthy thought. Had he possessed
an extra garment he would have donned
it and treasured the mended coat to the
end of his life -
He gathered his few personal belong
ings and placed them in his pocket.
Then the revolver was examined, in
Guiding his small supply of cartridges.
He felt no pain in his wounded arm,
though it had not perfectly healed. For
all purposes it was as strong and as
serviceable as ever Then he softly
blew out the candle and again sat down
by the window. H.
Listening carefully, he could hear no
sound Of voices below stairs Indeed it
was understood when he babe his
friends good night that it was the in
tention of all to retire. The stairs in
the other division of the house had been
used, which accounted for his not hear
ing any footsteps. L
The question he asked himself was
whether he should descend and leave by
lower door or drop from the window
If Captain Trenholm suspected any
thing Of the kind, he would doubtless
be on the watch, in which event the
window was preferable. The distance
was so moderate that by hanging from
the sill the fall would hardly jar him.
He rose to his feet and looked out
The round, full moon was high in the
sky, with few ragged clouds drifting
past, but the building itself was wrap
ped in shadow. The stiffness was pro-
found. A low, hollow murmur seemed
to be brooding in the air. like the faint