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

My heart began a vigorous humping.
looking out of the window. | saw a
troop of Confederate cavalry at the
gate and men darting in different
directions. | knew that the house was
being surrounded Helen went out to
meet the inquirer.
"Do you wish to see Mr.. Brander,
stance she asked.
81 do"
Helen must have suspected that
was in danger. There was slight
pause, in which fanced she was de-
lberating what to do.
"He is in a critical condition." she
said. "He was wounded recently. Is
your business with him important?"
every important
"Show the gentleman in, if you
please, Miss Stanforth," | called.
Knew there was nothing to be gained
by attempting to put the man off.
must appear unconcerned.
She led the way to where was. A
young man in the uniform of a Confed-
crate captain entered. He was a hand
some fellow, with an indolent, self in
dulgent air, and evidently gentleman.
He was extremely deferential to
Helen, carrying his hat in his hand and
bearing himself as If it panied him to
thus trespass upon the household.
Are you John Branderstane sir?"
~At your service. And you|
Captain Beaumont, til Goowgia
cavalry, sir"
what can l do for you, captain?"
II must trouble you to get up and
come with me-"
ION what authority"
''NIy own, sir. 1t has been reported
10 me that a southern man working in
tLe Yankee interest is here, and | have
come to take him"
Don't You think that an arbitrary
- way to treat Il citizen of Tennessee,
eaptain?"
Not when he has Yankee afilia-
TONS
BY what right do you accuse me Of
Yankee atIiliatioESY
you were watched all the time you
were at Huntsville. sir. There was no
evidence against you. and you were al
Bowed to leave tie city, but after you
had got away man came forward
who claimed to have seen you in one
Of the Yankee camps at Nashville"
Indeed? Did he explain his own
presence there"
This was home thrust. The cap
ain heStnted.
at seems TO me, captain" | added,
following nip my advantage, that you
are hasty in acting on such informa-
don"
Helen spoke up: My father was at
Nashville soon after the surrender.
Would you arrest hlm?"
THE information comes pretty
straight. reckon you'll have to come
along
HIS wound is liable to open" said
Helen, and if it should there might be
fatal result"
She spoke with apparent Indifference,
but she could not help betraying some
interest. The officer looked up at her
Win Il pan VI Gull blON II CgNo illNIuil
mgly. saw at once that he suspected
a tender relationship between us. but
8e- was too well bred to tread upon so
delicate a matter.
"Ue can remain where he is HntiI he
Is better" he said, bowling to Helen, III
you will give me your word-the word
of a southern lady-that he shall not
Gave your house till we call for him"
Helen cast an inquiring look at nue. to
Know if she should give the pledge.
saw that a glance would enable me to
gemain where was and, If chose,
after the departure of the troop. leave
The house, with Helen to bear the re-
sponsibiIity Of my going.
"NonScnse. man" | said, rising. "Do
you suppose I'm going to permit a wo-
man TO stnnd between you and me?
You are a gentleman, If you are taking
Il upon yourself to arrest whom you
please, and I'm enough Of a gentle
man not to avail myself of your prof
Iered avenue of escape. If must go
e must. Where do you intend to take
me, captain?"
BY this time several men who had
followed the officer pushed their wa.
INTO the room. received no reply t
my question, but was ordered to &c
up and go with them. The members 0
die family discovering that somethin
aad gone wrong, flocked about, and
was easy to see that, though they di
not understand why / was arrested
1hey were all in sympathy with mt
Mrs. Stanforth seemed greatly dis
tressed. Mr. Stanforth attempted {
argue my case for me, of course to n
purpose. The negroes were all indil
nant. While waiting for my horse
heard Lib delivering herself in til
Back hall:
"Wha, TO dat Unstable osifer wild b
sleeves covered oil ober wild dem go
snakes goin t. rest a fine south'n gen
len like dat? Dat wha' yo call FREE
dom2, Colored folks got mo- freedol
den dat heah mas'r talkin bot
Stutional libe'ty. Wha's de use O. stl
donal llbe'ty when de oder man got b
aand on yo' collar?'