The bee., 1902-05-29

gers. ne got Jne paper lIOlH MS
pocket and began rubbing it with
his damp hand. He repeated this
several times, trying to keep up a
conversation with his guard mean
while, till he had the paper reduced
almost to a pulp before they rode
into town.
But now, if they should find that
roll of wet paper, what then? He
knew they could not read word on
it, but they would suspect some
thing, and make him tell what it
was, and he feared what would fol-
low.
He was afraid to drop it, for fear
some one would see it fall and pick
it up. Then they would be sure he
was carrying news for the enemy.
Poor Paul! what would he have
given to be rid of that paper? He
would gladly have swallowed it, If
he could have done so without being
seen.
AS they rode into r., the command
was given, Break ranks" and the
men were soon scattered all over
the little town. The two guards
with their prisoner entered house
not far from the main hotel, where
the colonel and his officers were to
stop.
There was a roaring wood fire in
the fireplace, and as Paul drew near
it with the wet pulp clinched in his
right hand, the guard stepped back
to get chairs for themselves, and in
flash, the wad of paper was behind
the burning logs.
Oh, what a relief to the poor boy;
he felt as light as air. He knew
there could be nothing found on his
person to condemn HIM now, and he
would certainly be released.
In an hour or two afterward, he
was summoned to appear before the
colonel, who was amusing himself
by drumming on the piano in the
hotel parlor.
AS he entered the room he gave a
searching look at each soldier pres
emit, to be sure none who knew him
were there, for he determined to pass
under an assumed name.
The colorel, who was a fine look
ing, soldierly gentleman of about 40,
looked at Paul quizically as he en-
tered, and held out his hand for him
to come to his side.
This was different greeting from
what Paul was expecting. Looking
at the colonel with a great deal of
curiosity expressed on his counte-
nance, he walked up to him.
"Well, young man, will you tell
me your name and where your home
is?" he said, smiling as he released
Paul's hand, but still keeping him
near.
my name is Jimmie Adkins and
1 live about 10 miles from this
place" said Paul gllblv, for although
the proprietor of the house was pres
ent, he knew he would not betray
him.
"And what do you think L should
do with your" said the colonel.
"Release me and let me get home
before it is dark, sir. My mother
will be very uneasy about me-"
"Ah, indeed! Do you think sol
Then she should have been too care
full to start boy of your age of
through the country with a pair OF
| Navy skies buckled around him."
"She was, sir; she didn't want me
to go, but had promised"
"Where is your father, Jimmie?'
with Bragg's army, SIR"
"That is why your mother cam
manage you and keep you at home
L see that must take you with me
and see if 1 can keep you out of mis-
chief. 1 want some one to pet anC
play with, anyway"
Paul drew himself up to his tall
est, as he said: "Look here, Colo
mel Stephens, 1 am no little child t
be made a pet of, and think you
should let me go home to my
mother"
mo, sir! Boys VINO go gallopinl
through the country with Navy six
es belted around them are dangerou
fellows, and should be checked.
by the way, what have you il
your pockets? Who knows tina
there are not more pistols bidder
somewhere about your"
Paul never moved while beini
searched, for he knew two handker
chiefs and a pair of gloves were al
that would be found.
While the searching was goinI
on, great hallooing and shouting
was heard in the large back yard o
the hotel, where the negro cabin
were built in a straight row on on
side.
What noise is that?" said som
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