The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-04-25

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 were of measureless val
ne. In the stiffness of the night the
angry voices were plainly audible in
the highway, Captain Trenhom's 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 a 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
81 shall be grateful to receive him,
but 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. / hope
we shall meet under happier circum-
stances, but if we are never to see each
other, God bless you'll shall never.
never, forget the noblest daughter of
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 Ee let It gently
fall and slipped away like 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
gave 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 never
noted for his angelic temper, and all the
signs indicated that an explosion was
impending. Her fear lest this should oc-
cur hastened the steps of the young wo-
man.
i
old without invitation is dead manp'
shouted the captain as he resolutely
placed himself in front Of the horsemen,
revolver in hand. 'Ani, to be sure I
don't make any mistake, I'll shoot him
on his attempt to pass through the
gatel'
"No one questions your bravery, cap
tain, but your bluff won't work. We're
bound to string up the Yank who shot
Captain Dick"
| 'He shot him in fair fight, as he had
right to do, but
At this juncture Miss Eldridge, who
had passed down the short lane in front
of her home leading to the highway,
was recognized as she ran forward. Her
appearance hushed the turmoil for the
moment, though it was apparent that it
could not placate the wrath of the raid
ere.
As the horsemen saluted she said:
s'f you will excuse me for a minute,
will say something privately to the
captain.
They nodded, and the foremost grufi1y
remarked that it was all right. Then,
as the captain inclined his head, Miss
Eldridge told him what Lieutenant
Oakman had DONE
"Goodr' exclaimed the officer. "He
had more brains than both of us to
think. of that Will he take your
horsef"
"He promised to do SO. He has found
Pete before this, and they have gone
latter the animal"
"Win Pete let him have JackT
"You forget what took place earlier
this evening"
Captain Trenholm could not conceal
Ibis exultation. Perhaps it would have
been more prudent to wait longer, but
1.-The task was too hard.
"Boys," he said, ''if you can find
. THAT Union officer. you're welcome to
!, him. Invited him to go into the house
, and wait for me, but he was too smart
|, for that. He's gone, and you re set OF
internal fools, every mothers son Of
. lyoul And. if you don't believe it, III
.. light every scoundrel one after ths
/ TTO Re Continued L