The Ordway new era., 1906-09-07

A. though . terrible suspicion had On.
tered his head that this good'lookinu
Yankee whom he was using ~ an
instrument for saving his property
might at some future time give then
trouble.
II was by accident that Johns hand
touched that OF tho girl Hc was
amazed at feeling strange thrill
shoot through his frame. and ready
to laugh at himself for such foolish
ness: but II gave him sensation he
had never experienced before. and
which he would remember.
Again he was left alono with the
planter.
ALLOW me to congratulate YOU"
said the other. with u sneer In his
voice.
II can hardly realize that I am no
longer a single man. An hour ago I
had not dreamed such a destiny was
in store for me-" returned John. with
careless laugh.
Il have little more writing to be
done. Sit down. please. and MI out
these documents. Then the bargain
will be complete"
John did as requested. or course
the papers concerned the one move
ment in which the squire was deeply
interested. When John came to sign
his name and his regiment. he man
aged TO so manipulate the pen that
the word Ridgeway was okfcurcd. and
n casual glance would only reveal
plain John Emmett.
When the squire discovered that his
new son-in.iaw had placed the word
colonel" before his name, he smiled
grlmly. not because OF pleasure In
being related to n Yankee officer. for
he hated the whole army of invasion
from Sherman down to the humblest
drummer boy In blue. but simply on
account OF the more favorable pros.
pect ahead in saving the estate from
the torch and the pillager.
As Il now stood Sherman would be
compelled to put guard around
Lyndhurst. In case any damage was
done. the government would be re-
sponsible. for the whole property bo-
longed to the wife OF Federal officer.
Are you satisfied. squiro?" asked
the prisoner. as the other put the
papers away.
Il believe Il is all right"
Then allow me TO depart in peace"
The squire raised his heavy ego
brows.
MY dear colonel. you certainly must
have misunderstood me. said no
thing at all about giving you liberty.
1t is against my principles to assist
the enemy"
Sir. understood that the reward
which was to follow my-cr-sacrifice
OF bachelor principles was to be
freedom"
John showed some signs OF annoy.
ance. though too diplomatic to even
raise his voice above the ordinary
pitch.
Il gave you the choice between mar.
riage and the death OF n spy. You
have chosen wisely. colonel We will
keep you here over night, and when
the morning comes send you under
guard to headquarters. Your life was
in question. and you have saved II.
Say no morc-words would be useless.
and might bring on trouble"
Closing abruptly. the squire clapped
his hands. and again his satellites
entered. each with an eXasperatins
grin upon his face, as though they ap.
prcciated the humor OF the situa-
tion.
Gentlemen, kindly show Colonel
Emmett. my Federal son.in-law. to his
boudoir. | hold you responsible for
his appearance in the morning"
AS the squire spoke hand was laid
upon each of Johns shoulders.
II will go with you quietly, gentle
men. No violence, II you please. or
You will find yourselves handling
desperate man. was what the Fed.
eral said, and his manner impressed
them so far that they used no undue
familiarity.
The sarcasm of the squires words
could be plainly seen when the prison.
er was ushered in the "boudoir" in
question: strong room that had
evidently served as n prison on more
than one occasion. perhaps for re-
fractory slaves.
ITO be continued.)