Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-06-02

he taken himself during the stay or tAe
prisoners
Apparently it was not these questions
that perplexed Oakman. His thoughts
ran in different channel.
When he bade his friends good night
below stairs, it was with the under
standing that he was to remain in the
house until the morrow. when he would
ride away on the horse Of Captain Tren-
holm. But here was an unmistakable
notification that the life of the guest
depended upon his leaving the dwelling
before sunrise.
"What will not a man give In ex-
change for his life?'' The officer inn
'plicitly believed the words penciled on
the paper. but there were several things
IN this business that he could not un-
derstand
While 1t was impossible to implicate
Miss Eldridge, il 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 inability to
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 a parade an honest oney
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
himy
Was not the insistence Of the captain
that their guest should stay in the
house until morning designed to help
those that We're plotting against his lifey
The dismal state of the lieutenant
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.
Opposed to these ,misgivings was the
almost self evident fact that Captain
Trenholm. like all his associates, was an
honorable officer. 1t 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 nlan7
But, seated by his window, the lien
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 80.
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 Ell
dridge.
1t was with 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 deftness that the seam was hardly
visible.
And the needle and thread that did
it were manipulated by the dainty fin.
gers of Miss Eldridge.
Lieutenant Oakman suddenly grippeU
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 donped
it and treasured the mcnded 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 Fn
all purposes It was as strong and as
servieeable as ever Then he softly
blew out the candle ard again sat down
by the window.
ne rose To MS rect ano iooKed orft.
| The ronnd. 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
-. \. b.. ~ .l