Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1903-10-16
succeed said one.

WHAT VIII 90 uOhe Win htn III ne
should DO capturedT' asked the young
er OF tho two females.
"No natter said the elder OF the
two men. abruptly.
"They wont be likely TO let him go
again." added his companion. with a
significant shrug of the shoulders.
Hell be treated as spies usually
are. probably" remarked the middle
aged woman who had not yet spoken.
The younger shuddered and looked
thoughtful
81 wish this unnatural war was end
ed: II so brutalixes the human char
acter." she said. earnestly. after a
pause.
THE sooner the rebels are conquer
ed the quicker II will be ended" said
one of the men. $50 you see It's our
| duty to catch this spy. who is said 10
be very cunning and useful in his way.
He can't be great distance of. and
as soon rs we get rested we must take
to the woods and hunt him down"
The other gave his hearty assent 10
this proposal. and after talking over
their plans together both men left the
| cabin and passed so near TO our hero.
that by raising their hands they might
have touched him: but the darkness
which had succeeded the moons de-
parslre. favored him and he remained
| undiscovered.
Waiting until he could no longer
hear the footsteps nor voices OF the
retreating figures. he stopped softly
to the door and tapped.
| The latch was raised. and n voice
/ aAI
| "A friend; one. at least, who has
not the power 10 injure YOU" was the
reply.
The door opened wider. and the pale
and haggard face of the applicant was
exposed to the woman. who scrutinized
him steadily and closely.
Come In" she said. briefly.
81 am In Distress" said Hastings
81 apply to you because you are a wo-
man. and cannot forget that a wo-
man was first at the sepulchro OF
Jesus. 1 am sick. weary. hungry and
Borely pressed by my enemies am
the American spy for whom q reward
is offered. You can save me or deliv-
er me into the hands OF your husband.
or those who have gone in pursuit of
me-"
| The mother and daughter exchanged
| chances but neither spoke, and Hast
ings enxiously awaited the decision OF
his fate.
| The woman who had opened the
door now signified by a motion Of the
hand that he should enter. He did so
and a seat was placed for him by the
daughter. whose sympathies were oh.
viously enlisted. She glanced sympa.
thizingly at his detected countenancc
and noted his faltering steps and
limbs trembling with weakness.
1--WE can give you food. but our pro-
| lection will avail but little after my
husbands return" said the woman.
"Can you not conceal me?" asked
Hastings. earnestly Heaven will
surely reward you for the deedw
The mother looked ut her daughter,
and the two conversed together in a
low voice.
I'VE will do what we can" said the
former. briefly. as she placed refresh
ments before him and signed to him 10
eat
'Do not stop to talk" she added.
quickly. as the young officer endeavor
ed to express his gratitude. There Is
no time to lose, and food win do you
more good than anything else"
Hastings did not wait for n second
bidding. and the nutritious beverag e
soon had the effect To renew his
strength and inspire fresh courage.
His head felt less giddy. the cheer.
full fire warmed his stiffened limbs.
and he would certainly have fallen
asleep in his chair had not feeling
of dread lest the men should suddenly
return, caused him TO look often anxi-
ously towards the window
They will he gone two hours" said
the youngest female, as II to reassure
him on that point.
Hastings signified his thanks. and
looked at the fair speaker So atten-
lively that a crimson glow stole over
her expressive countenance, making
her look more interesting than before.
He forgot, for the moment, himself.
his illness the danger he had incurred,
the risk he now ran. everything in
contemplating her symmetrical figure.
regularity OF features. and the benevo-
lent kindness that beamed from her
eloquent eyes. He was startled from
his revery by the barking of a dog.
You are lostr she exclaimed.
Father ia near byr'
Hastings started to his feet and
looked hurriedly about for some mode
OF egress besides the door by which
he had entered
The young girl shook her head. and
her cheek paled with terror. Hastings
knew that discovery was inevitable If
he remained where he was, and that
the result would be equally fatal II he
ventured to leave the cabin.
The young girl stood an instant as II
spell-bound. when the voices came
nearer and nearer. Suddenly she
sprang towards a door which opened
into a dark closet.
go in, go inr' she whispered, land
secrete yourself behind those clothes "
The officer mechanically obeyed. and
the door was quickly closed and fasten
. ed upon him. while his deliverer, with
uncommon self.possession, placed her
self in the chair he had just vaca
ted. drew up to the small table or
which food had bean Dlacad and very