The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-09-26
CHAPTER ".

at the front door In pleasant voice,
in which there was something lnnguid.
MY heart began vigorous humping.
Looking out Of the window, l saw q
troop Of Confederate cavalry at the
gate and men darting In different
directions. l knew that the house was
being surrounded. Helen went out to
meet tho inquirer.
"Do you wish to see Mr.. Brander-
stanc?" she asked.
II do"
Helen must have suspected that I
was in danger. There was a slight
pause in which I fancled she was de-
liberating what to do.
"Hc Is In n critical condition." she
said. "He was wounded recently. Is
your business with him important"
every important"
"Show the gentleman In, if you
please, Miss Stnnforth." 1 called. /
knew there was nothing to be gained
by attempting to put the man Off.
must appear unconcerned.
She led the way to where I was. a
young man In the uniform Of Confcd-
crate captain entered. He was hand
some fellow, with IN indolent, self in
dulgent air, and evidently gentleman
He was extremely defcrential to
Helen, carrying his hat In his hand and
bearing himself as If 1t paincd him to
thus trespass upon the household.
"Aro you John Dranderstane, slr?"
AT your service. And you"
"Captain Beaumont, --th Geowgia
cavalry, sir"
"What can l do for you, captainI"
"I must trouble you to get up and
come with me-"
"On what authorlty?"
"My own, sir. 1t has been reported
to me that southern man working in
the Yankee interest is here, and have
come to take him.
"Don't you think that an arbitrary
way to treat citizen OF Tennessee,
captain?"
mot when he has Yankee atrlia-
tions."
"By what right do you accuse me of
Yankee atfiliatlonsW
"You were watched all the time you
were at Huntsville, sir. There was no
evidence against you, and you were al
lowed to leave tho city, but after you
had got away Il man came forward
who claimed to have seen you In one
Of the Yankee camps at Nashville"
Indeed? Did he explain his own
presence thereT
This was home thrust. The cap
tain hesitated.
1T seems to me, captain" 1 added,
following up my advantage, "that you
are hasty In acting on such informa-
tion."
Helen spoke up: my father was at
Nashville soon after the surrender.
Would you arrest him2"
1.-The information comes pretty
straight. I reckon you'll have to come
along.'
"His wound Is liable to open." said
Helen, "and If it should there might be
a fatal result"
She spoke with apparent Indifference,
but she could not help betraying some
interest. The officer looked up at her
with pair Of soft brown eyes inquir
ingly. saw Mt once that he suspected
a tender relationship between US, bu!
he was too we'll bred to tread upon sc
delicate matter.
He can remain where he Is until he
is better" he said, bowling to Helen, si1
you Will give me your word-the word
OF outhern lady-that he shall not
leave your house till we call for him."
Helen cast an inqulring look at me to
know If she should give the pledge. l
saw that glance would enable me to
remain where l was and, If I chose.
after the departure Of the troop. leave
the house, with Helen to bear the re-
sponsibility Of my going.
Nonsense, man" said, rising. "Do
you suppose I'm going to permit wo-
man to stand between you and me2
xou are gentleman, If you are taking
IT upon yourself to arrest whom Won
please, and I'm enough Of q gentle
man not to avail myself Of your prof-
3ered avenue of escape. If must 90,
I must. Where do you intend to take
me, captainT"
BY this time several men who had
9OlI0Wed the officer pushed their wav
Into the room. I received no replv to
my question, but was ordered to get
W ana go with them. The members of
tho family. discovering that something
mad gone wrong, flockcd about, and 1t
was easy to see that, though they did
not understand why I was arrested
they were all in sympathy with me.
Mrs. Stanforth seemed greatly dis
fressed. Mr.. stanforth attempted to
argue my case for me, Of course to no
purpose. The negroes were all indig-
nant. While waiting for my horse
heard Lib delivering herself in tho
back hall:
"Wha' TO- dat misable osifer wild he
sleeves covered all ober wild dem gop
snakes goin t rest a fine south'n gem
len like dat2 Dat wha' yo call free
dom? Colored folks got mo- freedom
den dat. I heah mas'r talkin bout
stutlonal libe'ty. Wha's do use O. stu
tional libe'ty when de oder man got he
hand on yo' collar?"
heard no more, for T was conducted
out TO the gallery. Just as I started
down the walk Ethel appeared, with
curious eVaa md r no,,oo5 %o 4o,,u i,o.,