The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-23

Dorothy's cheeks famed scarlet, and
her eyes sought the floor. 1 saw Jack s
face flush. and he held out his hand
appealing Then she raised her eyes
and looked Mr.. Lincoln squarely in the
face.
II will promise. I give you my
word of honor, Mr.. President" she an
swered.
We got George home, one foot gone
and one arm off above the elbow. His
fight for life was long and desperate.
Sherman was marching to the sea and
a rumor came of troops approaching,
Just across the river Then we heard
of skirmishes with the handful of con-
federates commanded by Hill and sta
toned at Augusta.
1t was an uncomfortably warm night
and leaving the other members of the
family, l strolled out to the seat under
the magnolia at the side of the house.
There was some commotion up the
street, pistol shots, loud shouts and
| calls, and more pistol shots. Then
down the street came rapid footballs
and l saw a man running. 1 knew, for
his life. He dashed under the street
lamp at the corner, a Yankee officer in
full uniform. His pursuers were hard
on his tracks and l saw the blaze of
| more than one weapon as he passed
through the circle of lamplight. On he
came, straining every muscle. My
| heart bounded to my mouth. He clear
ed the fence and was running through
our front yard.
Halt" 1 cried, springing from the
shadow of the magnolia.
Dick, they shall not capture me-"
There was no time for words. seized
! his arm and together we ran up the
| steos and into the front door. 1 shot
the bolts behind us. From the east
parlor, we ran into Aunt GATHERINGS
room and l pushed him into a closet
and locked the door.
When 1 passed down the hall, closely
followed by Dorothy, Aunt Catherine
and some half dozen of the servants
l wore my dressing gown and slippers.
I opened the door and faced Col. Hall,
Capt. Jenkins and a handful of SOL
diers. Col. Hall stepped in and sa-
luted the ladies with a deep bow.
Il come to demand the surrender OF
! the Federal officer who has taken ref
uge in your house, he said, speaking
| to me, though he kept his eyes fast
ened on Dorothy.
Federal officer in this house!" Aunt
! Catherine cried.
Eyes, ma am. He was taken by a
| party of skirmishers across the river
and sent over here for safe keeping
|
killed one and injured the other two
He was pursued and seen to run up
your front steps and into this very
| door,
"lmpossible!" Dorothy cried. 81
bolted this door at sunset and no one
has opened it since. You must have
heard my brother draw the bolts in
answer to your knocks?"
80, the doc was bolted fast enough
when we knocked, Miss Fletcher" Jen-
/ kins answered, without giving his SUI
perior an opportunity to speak. But
saw the scoundrel come in, so 1 know
mighty we'll the doc has been opened
| since sunset"
Capt. Jenkins!" I exclaimed. Il de-
mand that"
Its all right, Richard" Col. Hall
said. Il hope, ma am turning back to
Aunt Catherine, that you realize we
have come as friends but we must dc
our duty. Our loyalty to the cause de-
mands that we search the house.
at would seem, sir" was Aunt Cath
crimes dignified reply, that our loyal
| ity to the cause should render such an
act unnecessary. What reason have
you for proposing such an outrage?"
The two officers exchanged glances;
then Capt Jenkins replied:
The man we are searching for is
Col. Kellogg of the United States
| Army"
Dorothy turned so white that
| thought she would faint. In an instant
she recovered herself. Invite them in
| Aunt Cattle. Gentlemen. we are only
| sorry your suspicious will not be YER
| flied otherwise we might have had
an opportunity of assisting one who
has always proved a stanch and faith
| full friend of my brother. Col. Fletcher
/ Of he fp1o "a house
is open to you. and 1 beg that you
search it thoroughly"
Aunt GATHERINGS bed chamber was
| the last to be examined. AS l led the
searchers in l noticed the dainty Or
| derliness of the high bed, with its
| great feather mattresses, the polished
| dressing table and easy chairs, and
! was struck by the general fitness of il
| all for the one who had occupied II
| for more than fifty years. and who
still gave abundant evidence OF hav-
ing been what her friends claimed for
her. 1.-The reigning beauty of her day.
l think even Jenkins might have left
the room satisfied by a casual inspec-
ton, had not Dorothy spoken.
You are neglecting the closets, gen.
tlemen, one on each side the chimney
One may prove especially interesting
since it opens on the stairs leading tc
our secret chamber.
Dorothy l cried. Mortified.
"Never mind Dick. 1t is a secret
presumably sacred 20 the family, but
am sure there are outsiders who
have heard of it. and since these
friends are kind enough to search fol
| proof Of our loyalty to the Confeder-
acy, 1 wish them to examine the Sc
cret chamber. You have only to push
the wall at the end, Capt. Jenkins
she explained. as she opened the door
of the left-hind closet. l gave 6