The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-11-09

II -
turned again. It was all done SO quick
" that could not tell whether had
seen a man or a woman. Quick as
thought flung glance at the girl be-
side me. She was white as death.
spurred to where the general was
about to dismount.
Something wrong, general point
ing to the house.
What do you mean?''
Some one concealed up there. I saw
face at a window, and look between
it and the girl"
AT the moment my brother aide-de-
camp, Walter Bland, came riding into
the place, and the general ordered hin,
to bring a sergeant and half dozen
men and surround the house.
go upstairs" the general said to me,
sand find out who is lurking there"
knit my brows. Was to hunt I'm.
armed citizens?
S"Well, what are you waiting for?''
An angry word was on my tongue,
but had seen my chief cut man
down with his sword for a mutinous
reply. depressed my choler and start
ed doggedly into the house. He called
me back, I supposed to give me a rep
rimand, but I was surprised when in
a quiet voice he said to me: II have
selected this plantation as a rallying
point from which to make forays on
the railroad. The disloyal citizens are
all spies, and will report our every
move to the enemy. Likely there lie
one of them at this moment in this
very house.. Now 60 upstairs and find
who is lurking there J.
This was the generals way. One mo.
ment he would strike, the next ca
ress. One moment 1 hated, the next
loved him. I went into the house to
carry out his order. Taking an old
darby with me as guide, mounted the
stairs, reached a>door which judged
would let me into the room sought.
and threw it open. No one there.
Nov, uncle" I said to the negro,
II want you to take me into every nook
and corner of this house, from garnet
to cellar"
Eyes, mars"
Never have seen negro more de-
liberate, more profuse with excuses,
than the one who piloted me on my
search. 1t was Eyes, mars, jes' wait
a minute till I find de key" or "Dis
do done stuck wild de wedder," or
''Don't hurry de ole man; de misery's
powerful bad; nobody can't git away
while de sojers is outside
I drew my saber and poked here and
there, beat it against doors, thrust it
up chimneys, pretending that was do
ing a duty which was Sinking all
the while. On the floor where had
seen the, face we found all the rooms
empty. Above was trap-door with
steps leading up to it. climbed the
steps, lifted the trap and stepped in
under the roof. It was a singular con-
struction, sloping downward to gut
ter in the center instead of rising to
a peak. Finding nothing, pulled my
self through an opening and stood on
the roof, looked behind all the chin
neys, and heaved sigh of relief that
1 had found no one. Then, going be-
low, I resumed my searching in the
lower stories. Knocking at the door of
a room on the second floor, the sum-
mons was answered by an old lady. AS
1 gained an insight into the apartment,
a bedchamber, I thought saw wom-
ans skirt whisk out of rear door.
II must search the room, madam"
said, imperatively.
Certainly. Come in.''
She spoke in so soft voice and looked
at me in such a motherly way out of her
patient eyes that could have bitten
off my tongue for my demand.
"Never mind" said, coloring. II
see there is no one here"
Better satisfy YOURSELF
With that she opened the closet door,
pulled out a lounge and turned up the
valance of the bed. I stood hanging
my head like boy caught stealing
jam, then suddenly squared my back
to what she would show me.
Look" she said, with sweet voice.
"Look?" I repeated, turning and
facing her. Look through the cham
Der of lady! Have come down here
to do work detective would shrink
| AAOAA' CdLuC " HS1lO uleu, uOG 10 1OTCc
myself on the privacy of women. ask
your pardon, madam, for trespassing.'
left the room, my cheeks burning,
and, going downstairs, passed out to
the gallery where the general was wait
ing for me, and reported no one found.
He drew down the corners of his mouth
in way I never liked.
Sergeant he said, turning to the
man who commanded the guard, take
a couple of men and search the house"
The sergeant saluted, and, ordering
the men he selected to follow him, went
upstairs. p. Meanwhile Col. Wilton, the
next officer in rank to the general, rode
up and claimed his commanders atten-
ton, while the girl stood waiting in the
doorway.
Leaning my elbows on the rail, l
looked out on the scene before me.
The sun had set, and the surrounding
hills stood out in silhouette against a
pearl sky, though their sides were
dimly aglow with variegated autumnal
colors-for it was at the end of Octo.