The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-18
CHAPTER vi.
AN AMATEUR souBRErTE.

OF 10 execution. Ills lhtenueu hCt was
most unwarranted. and had he been in
duced 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 a queer mani
"who-I?" The captains smile broad
ened.
"Queerest man lever saw What do yo'
want 10 take him away TO-? Don't yo'
know he's wounded. and we just got him
fixed up?"
''You don't mean IT. He spoke as de-
ferentialy as II the information were
really a surprise TO him.
Don't want ever 10 see him again?
What n grump thing you must be! Sup
pose Ia say | wanted never 10 see you
again?"
YOU'D break my heart"
All this was not 20 the liking Of the
captains companion 'Wen. captain"
he put in. what yo' goin ter do? Coin
ter let him lay thar ter be coddled by
the fambly?"
"Yo' hush" cried Jaquellne. with sud
denly flaming eyes. The man started back.
Possibly he was unused 10 such quick
transitions. "Yo can't take him away
till his arm ge.s well. Spose he bleeds
20 death2 You'd have his blood on your
hands. Just think Of that!
Considering that they had intended 10
take mo out and shoot me, the warning
was. 10 say the least, amusing. Every
one burst into laugh. Indeed, / could
hardly refrain from Joining In II myself,
Notwithstanding my critical situation.
you certainly don't want 10 commit
gross bunder. captain" remarked. You
can at least. captain" I remarked. you
Reckon | can refer tha matter to head
quarters he replied fixing his eyes on
Jaqueline.
1t was a delicate scale that balanced
life and death i'm wartime and often re-
quired only feathers weight TO turn IL.
IL had been turned for the time and turn
ed effectually. The guards were ordered
back and the captain sauntered away
with my accuser, who eXpostulated as
they passed out OF the house TO the gal
lery. Pulling cigar out of his pocket.
Captain Beaumont sat down In a rock
ing chair and began TO smoke as tranquil
ly as IL nothing had happened. listening
composedly TO the rufiian who was trying
20 get him 10 shoot me. But Beaumont
was now as difficult 10 move. as imper-
turbable, as he had been before irate. and
Jaycox at last went away disappointed.
He gave be a maligant glance before go
ing. which said plainly, "Ill 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 a large tree set against the
blue sky Supper was ready and Jaquel-
ine. taking rose, went out and, fixing
II I'm a buttonhole of his coat, led him into
the dining room. Before passing out OF
sight she turned and gave meaning
glance, accompanied by wry face at her
companion. AS the captains back was
turned IL was safe for me to indulge I'm
a smile. Indeed, | fear / could hardly
have refrained had his face been toward
me. This little JaquelIne was certainly
unique.
While they were at supper i was de-
uberatng upon the situation. IL was evil
dent that my old enemies had either
stumbled upon me or had learned Of my
presence I'm north Alabama and were
bent on my destruction. 1t was a des-
perate case. l was on officer In the Union
army, within the enemy's lines. In citl-
zen's dress and in that enemys hands.
] was bounded by men who would not
scruple TO use any means to get me In
their power. l l did not escape from the
Confederates, should hang; IL / did es-
cape, should be murdered.
Presently Jaqueline and the captain
came out from the supper room, Jacque-
line In advance, the captains eyes fixed
on the pretty figure before him. Jacque-
line was very graceful, very dainty. Her
every motion was charming She was
so light on her feet that she seemed
scarcely TO touch the ground. Though
she walked. she danced. while her eyes
danced with her body. her lips wearing
q perpetual smile. Once she took two or
three steps, turning half around--a mere
suspicion OF dance, a delicious, tapta-
lizing bit, like a sip OF rare wine.
I'D like TO meet yo' In ballroom"
remarked the captain languidly.
why so7'
'Yo' would dance beautifully. Yo'd
make a charming partner"
II can sing"
Can you?"
"Yes. and play. One day was play
ing Ginger's banjo behind the barn.
Papa called. 'Yo Ginger. stop that infer
nal twanging!' Wasn't Il funnyr'
She laughed. The captain laughed.
laughed. There was something very
catching about the little mink that nei-
ther OF US could resist.
She drew an armchair close beside the
sofa on which l was lying and insisted
on the captain seating himself in II. He
demurred. but Miss Jack would have II
So and the man who half an hour before
had ordered me out 20 be shot was sitting
by me as though we were excellent
friends. Jacqueline seated herself In a
rocker directly in view OF both myself
and the captain. and. rocking vigorously
al the while. chatted like a magpie The
captain settled himself within his comfor-
thble seat. asked permission 10 smoke
and. finding that he had but one cigar
insisted on my smoking II. OF course.
refused. but he was too innately well
bred 10 smoke II himself without another
for me. Miss Jack solved the problem
by standing before him with n lighted
match till he was forced 10 yield.
Then from without came the Jingle ~
banjo. Jacqueline caught the sound
and stood listening. her head poised on
one side. her eyes sparkling as though
foreetful OF everything save the music
That's The Bonny Blue Flag 4" sho
exclaimed and she hummed the words
IN sweet though by no means strong
voice. A. she went on she sang rather
than hummed. becoming more and more
animated. keeping time by patting her
foot on the floor. I glanced at the cap
tain. He was looking at her admringly.
the charm enhanced at hearing n war
song dear 20 every Confederate soldier
given with 80 much spirit by such an at
tractive creature.
Suddenly the music stopped.
"Don'f you like music7' asked Jacdue-
ffne of the cnntai IN. II DO: I love e."
n like . vhcn warbled by such ct
tracfive lips" replied the officer
f.I-