News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-11-13
CHAPTER VI
AN AMATEUR soUBRETTE.

p HAVE seen men disarmed in vari-
GUS ways, by argument fear,
III force, but never have | seen one so
quickly vanquished as he who was
about to rush me off to execution. His
intended act was most unwarranted,
and had he been induced to refrain by
logical arguments l should not have
been surprised. But Jaqueline knew
nothing of logic or the merits of the
case. She used no plea; she conquered
by look.
"What queer manv
"Who-IY The captains smile
broadened.
"Queerest man ever saw. What do
yO' want to take him away fo'? Don't
yO know he's wounded, and we just got
him fixed up"
You don't mean it!' He spoke as
deferentially as if the information were
really a surprise to him.
Don't want ever to see him again?
What a grumpy thing you must be!
Suppose I'd say l wanted never to see
you again|'
YOU'D break my neart.
All this was not to the liking of the
captains companion. We'll, captain"
he put in, what 20 gon ter do?
Coin ter let him lay thar ter be cod
died by the family"
"Yo' hush" cried Jaqueline. with
suddenly flashing eyes. The man start
ed back. Possibly he was unused to
such quick transitions. "Yo' can't take
him away till his arm gets WELL
S'pose he bleeds to death? You'd have
his blood on yO' hands. Just think of
that"
Considering that they had intended
to take me out and shoot me, the warn
ing was, to say the least, amusing
Every one burst into laugh. Indeed,
could hardly refrain from joining in
it myself, Notwithstanding my critical
situation.
You certainly don't want to commit
a gross blunder, captain" | remarked.
You can at least give me some sort of
trial."
Reckon | can refer the matter to
! headquarters" he replied, fixing his
eyes on Jaqueline.
| 1t was a delicate scale that balanced
life and death in wartime and often
| required only a feathers weight to
| turn it. 1t had been turned for the
| time and turned effectually. The guards
were ordered back. and the captain
| sauntpred away with my accuse, who
| eXpoStulated as they passed out of the
house on to the gallery. Pulling a
! cigar out of his pocket, Captain Reau-
mont sat down in Il rocking char and
| began to smoke as TRANQUILITY as if moth
ing had happened, listening compOsedly
: to the rufIian who was trying to get
| him to shoot me. But Beaumont was
| now as difficult to move, as imper-
! turbable, as he had been before irate,
and JaycoX at last went away dlsap-
pointed. He gave me malignant
glance before going, which said plainly,
I'll fix you yet"
The captain continued sitting where
| he was, his head resting on the back of
the rocker, looking dreamily up at the
waving branches of large tree set
against the blue sky. Supper was
ready, and Jaqueline, taking a rose,
went out and, fixing it in a buttonhole
of his coat, led him into the dining
room. Before passing out Of sight she
turned and gave me a meaning glance,
accompanied by wry face at her COM
panion. AS the captains back was
turned 1t was safe for me to indulge in
a smile. Indeed, | fear | could hardly
have refrained had his face been to-
ward me. This little Jaqueline was
certainly unique.
/ While they were at supper was de-
nberating upon the situation. 1t was
evident that my old enemies had either
stumbled upon me or had learned OF
my presence in north Alabama and
were bent on my destruction. 1t was a
desperate case. was an officer in the
Union army, within the enemy's lines,
IN citizens dress and in that enemy's
hands. was bounded by men who
would not scruple to use any means to
get me In their power. If did not es-
cape from the Confederates, should
hang; If did escape, should be muir
dered.
Presently Jaqueline and the captain
came out from the supper room, Jaque-
line in advance, the captains eyes fixed
on the pretty figure before him. Jaque-
line was very graceful, very dainty
Her every motion was charming. Sh,
4 - q.
ed scarcely to touch the ground. Though
she walked, she danced, while her eye
danced with her body, her lips wearing
perpetual smile, Once she took TIVE
or three steps, turning half around-i