The Glenwood post., 1906-09-08

as though terrible suspicion had en.
tered his head that this good-looking
Yankee whom he was using as an
instrument for saving his property
might at some future time give them
trouble.
1t was by accident that Johns hand
touched that Of the girl. He was
amazed at feeling a strange thrill
shoot through his frame, and ready
to laugh at himself for such foolish
ness; but it gave him a sensation he
had never experienced before, and
which he would remember.
Again he was left alone with the
planter
ALLOW me to congratulate you,"
said the other, with a sneer In his
voice.
Il can hardly realize that am no
longer single man. An hour ago
had not dreamed such destiny was
in store for me-" returned John, with
a careless laugh.
Il have little more writing to be
done. Sit down, please, and fill out
these documents. Then the bargain
will be complete"
John did as requested. OF 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 obscured, and
casual glance would only reveal
plain John Emmett.
When the squire discovered that his
new son-in-law had placed the word
colonel" before his name, he smiled
grimly, not because of pleasure in
being related to 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 it now stood Sherman would be
compelled to put a guard around
Lyndhurst. In case any damage was
done, the government would be re-
sponsible, for the whole property be-
longed to the wife of Federal officer.
Are you satisfied, squirrel" asked
the prisoner, as the other put the
papers away.
Il believe it is all right"
Then allow me to depart in peace"
The squire raised his heavy eye
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-er-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 spy You
have chosen wisely, colonel. We will
keep you here over night. and when
the morning comes send you under
guari to headquarters. Your life was
in question, and you have saved it.
Say no more-words would be useless,
and might bring on trouble"
Closing abruptly, the squire clapped
his hands, and again his satellites
entered, each with an eXasperating
grin upon his face, as though thuy ap-
preciated the humor of the s.tua-
ton.
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.
81 will go with you quietly gentle
men. No violence, if you please, or
you will find yourselves handling a
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 squire's words
could be plainly seen when the prison
er was ushered in the "boudoir" in
question: strong room that had
evidently served as a prison on more
than one occasion, perhaps for re-
fractory slaves.
(To be continued.)