The Ordway new era., 1906-11-23
sAe obeyed him. havins ~ isttsr

ehs obeyed him. having ~ lsttsf
Nov, tell me quickly how you
learned that was weak or foolish
enough to take this risk because l
feared I had done you an injustice.
wnich would not do to any man.
even my most hated enemy"
And trust you do not look At me
In that light. Miss Mollie."
mo. no. since this is the second
time you have been instrumental in
saving my poor life. We may be
friends I presume, but that's is ALL"
Friends 1t is then-I am thankful
Tor that small favor" he replied.
Then. while the negro was getting
the horses In condition for farther
progress he related how his aunt had
repented her share In the plot. and
informed him Of Its motive.
He did not exactly say that her
change Of heart had come about upon
her learning that Mollie Granger was
his wife. but she could infer as much
from the words he used.
Mollie said no more, but she had
been given good grounds for serious
reflection.
She was girl of more than com.
mon sense. and while her rabid ideas
with regard to sectional differences
blinded her In some respects, the vail
was slowly but surely being lifted
from her eyes and things were appear
Ing In their natural colors free from
outside influences.
Only for this deep-rooted dislike foi.
everything pertaining to the Federal
Government she must have ere now
have become sensibly aware of the
fact that her destiny was wrapped up
with that Of the man the fortune OF
war had given her as husband Of
convenience.
Indeed, his manly bearing, his gen.
tie consideration for her well being,
and his bravery in time Of danger
all these things combined to arouse
the keenest interest In her heart,
against which she struggled in vain.
Yes, only for that single barrier.
sectional prejudice. Mollie must have
long ere now yielded herself to the
destiny that seemed bearing her on.
She knew II could not last much
longer.
This man was apparently able to
WELD the basest of metals into n
weapon for his defense-when enc.
mics laid n pitfall to insnar" his feet
he utilized 1t as means for climbing
higher in her estimation. her regard.
And he was even now knocking at
the door OF her heart, though she still
stubbornly refused to open It and let
| him In.
So Mollies thoughts were n trifle
CO ifused as she rode homeward.
More than once she took sly look
from the window OF the carriage Mt
tn, erect figure OF the horseman gal
loping alongside on the right. and
so nehow his presence there did much
to assure her of safety-it had even
cone to that-she felt she could de-
peid upon the stout arms that had
snatched her from the greedy flames
and Just now put her enemies to
flight.
.hat he wore the hated blue was
hi- only fault, and this did not APP
near so henious as when she stood up
beside him on the night they were
mi de man and wife in order that he
might save his life and she her estate.
did Colonel John appear before her
in suit of gray. with sentiments cor
responding to her own. she believed
shz could love him truly.
she soldier had replaced his left
ar.n-none the better for the use to
wi lch 1t had been put-once more In
its sling. He had entirely forgotten
tI,v fact Of his being wounded in the
ex. .itement OF battle. and used 1t quite
freely, for which he might yet pay
deurly-but what matter, since 1t was
in the service of love.
Thus the balance OF the journey
was made.
i'hey reached the plantation Of the
Grangers. the only place near Atlanta
that had. by peculiar combination
of circumstances. escaped Mt least
partial destruction.
ITO be continued0
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