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

II do not see what that has TO do
with my case, " replied the lieutenant,
who. nevertheless, was quite certain Of
the drift Of the words
You'll be likely to see pretty soon, :"
was the significant remark Of the lead
or. "These are not the times TO show
much consideration to the like Of you.
I'll own that the question isn't clear in
my mind. I'll have to talk IL over with
the boys. While we're doing 30, you
can withdraw. Stay with the women.
No doubt they'll find your company
agreeable. Bill. go along and keep an
eye on him all the time, remembering
that, if he hasn't any weapons except
his sword the fact won't hinder him
from running, il he gets the chance
The soldier addressed rs "Bill" mo-
toned TO Oakman to follow him into
the hall The prisoner did 50, the two
joining the three women. who were
seated near the stand or table upon
which was the candle. with their arms
folded, grim, silent and waiting. They
turned their eyes toward the couple. but
not word was spoken by any one.
All the chairs We're occupied. and the
men kept their feet. Bill wished to fol-
low the debate that was going on in the
next room and placed himself near the
door that he might catch the words
spoken, an easy thing to do, since there
was little or no attempt at secrecy by
the others.
While posted thus the soldier motion
ed for Oakman to take his place In
front, that he might observe his every
movement, the guard meanwhile keep
ing his hand ON the revolver at his hip.
Less than Ave minutes later scream
rang ont from Miss Hartman. and the
startled company in the adjoining room
dashed into the hall 10 learn its cause.
She was in her chair, gasping and strug-
Cling, with frightful attack Of hys-
terics; Mrs. Benware and her sister, as
white as death, sat silent, upright and
evidently on the point OF swooning;
Bill, the cavalryman, was stretched on
his back. to all appearances as dead as
dead could be- The open front door left
no doubt whittier the prisoner had gone,
and with fierce imprecations the raiders
streamed outside and made for their
horses.
Not a minute was 10 be lost, for in
the vivid moonlight he was seen in the
act Of swinging himself into the saddle
Of one Of the animals that had been
tied at the side Of the lane, fully alive
to the fact that his life depended upon
using every second at his command.
Not doubling what the verdict OF the
men would be. Lieutenant Oskman,
while in the hall with his jailer, deter
mined TO discount il. The fact that his
guard did not suspect any such wild
purpose increased the chances Of the
officer. Without his motive being dis
trusted by the man whose attention
was centered upon the discussion in the
adjoining room the lieutenant stepped
MP near him. The next instant he was
throttled with such lightninglike
ouickness that he sank to the floor and
collapsed without being able to make
an outcry.
Lieutenant Oakman would have
strangled the life out Of him without
any conjunction had he dared to linger
for that purpose, but the door at his
side was likely to open any moment,
when il would be all over with him.
As il was he came near shutting of the
wind Of the fellow for good, but, seeing
him senseless, he snatched away his re-
volver, rose from his feet and tiptoed
hurriedly ont Of the door.
The whole thing was begun and end
ed so quickly that the daring fellow
seemed to be gone ere the women un-
derstood what il all meant. Then mo-
ment passed before they did anything.
and the form on the floor had begun TO
show signs Of returning animation,
when Miss Hartman uttered her pene-
trating scream, the party crowded into
the hall, and, without pausing TO ask
questions, made for the fleeing prisoner.
Lieutenant Oakmsn was as cool as he
was active. There was no time in which
10 select the best horse, and he united
the one nearest at hand. They were
partly in moonlight and partly in shad-
ow, but he saw the old building dis
gorging its terrible contents. as he
turned the head Of his animal down the
lane toward the highway, and be knew
the battle for life was on. There would
be no surrender or quarter shown in
this business.
The instant the animal broke into his
gallop in the middle Of the lane Oak.