Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-11-14

| flames had he not known that bis cap
tors would snatch II forth before 1t wal
more than scorched. He attempted 9
piece Of strategy whose audacity could
not have been surpassed.
~ surrender under protest, he said.
rising from his chair, but instead Of
elevating his hands be coolly folded the
paper and showed II into his Inner
pocket.
"what are you doingi" thundersd
the man with leveled weapon.
Merely putting away q letter. That
being done. up go my handsr'
With which he laughed and reached
toward the ceiling.
"What is in that letterf"
would you like TO see itf"
"Trot Il out
The lieutenant showed his hand under
his shoulder and brought forth the let
ter written by Captain Wager Tren-
holm.
AT your service. 1t viii interest
you"
Had the other document been the
only one in his possession, thus robbing
him of this trick, he would have whip
ped ont his revolver and fought the bat
tie then and there 10 the end.
The cavalryman gingerly unfoldsd
the letter.
Here, Bill, he said gruffly 10 his
companion. ~ never could read writ
ing. Out with II while / keep the Yank
covered.
Oakman wondered that they did not
disarm him, but when three more griE-
sled troopers tramped through the hall
and entered the apartment he saw the
little need Of doing 70.
The one who held the letter leaned
sideways to the candle for a minnie OF
two and then picked mp the light the
better to read the writing His compan'
ions looked on attentively while wait
ing for him to speak. Finally he emit
ted an oath after glancing at the sigma
ture
III UiOWcNl hC CAIidhh'ts ~
you know who wrote that, boyst"
"How should we knowt" was the
appropriate question that followed.
"Why, Captain Wage Trenholm.
Read il ont"
The man complied, while the others
stood gaping and wondering. The let.
ter, il will be- recalled, was declara.
ton that Lieutenant Ledyard Oakman
was q Union officer for whom Captain
Trenholm had been exchanged and that
he was entitled to courteous treatment
and a safe conduct to the Union lines.
When the group had somewhat re-
covered from their shock. the one who
still held the document in his hand
looked ut IL again.
II wonder il the captain did write
that. Miss Hartman. you know his
writing"
Every well indeed. "
Lo, directly behind Lieutenant Oak
man stood Miss Marian Hartman,
whose detestation of the Union officer a
fortnight before brought so scathing a
rebuke from Mrs Eldridge and her
daughter.
Heavens. you here" he exclaimed.
facing her.
Yes" she said. with sneering
smile, II am here. and ! rather suspect
you wish you were somewhere else. "
"Ialways do when in your presence. y
She had an her hat and held riding
whip in her hand. as IL she had just
ridden up with the party. Could it be
that 10 was she who had conducted
them to this house that she might be-
tray him to his deathf
She ignored the slur and, taking the
letter from the hand Of the soldier, who
held the candle for her, examined II
with the utmost care from the begin
ming TO the signature at the bottom.
"You know" she said in conclusion,
'that the captain never loses the oppor-
tunity to visit the hcme Of General FL
bridge I am familiar with his hand
writing, and, therefore, much as re-
gret it. I am compelled to say that this
letter was written by him."
"No doubt about II, Miss Hartman =
asked one Of the disappointed group.
mot q particle. I suppose II will
hardly be safe to disregard what he
says. or rather what he has written.
This prisoner Is in uniform. and there
fore cannot be regarded rs spy, un-
less
Unless whatf" asked two Of the
guerrillas in the same breath.
There are papers on him to show
that he is acting as q spy. Why not
search him 10 as to make suref"
GOOD idea! You've got more wit
than all Of usl Go through the Yank,
boysp'