The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-11-25


Located close by the ripplcs of
Chamberlain creek was a pretty yet
modest dwelling; within were seated
an aged lady and her daughter-the
latter beauteous of face and form, with
soft brown eyes and waving curls of
chestnut hair. The two were the sole
occupants of the horse: the husband
and father was yer then on the oppo-
site side of those gray-manned earth
works destined to be the last ditch of
the Confederacy.
Suddenly there was a knock at the
door, and almost ere the girl could
step forward in answer to the sum-
mons. a captain of Union cavalry came
hurriedly and Familiarity into the lit
tie sitting room.
Mrs. Dean," he saluted. lit has
been long since we met: Isabel. 1
greet youi"
"Ah. Harold Prentiss, this unexpect-
ed visit can hardly be realized" ex-
claimed the girl, while she permitted
him TO take her hands warmly; land
you are. indeed, with the army OF the
North?"
Yes, one of Sheridan's boys"
His welcome was cordial. but he
saw that there was some deep anxiety
in their hearts.
Years he continued. since last
We met. Just think, Isabel, And
even the stern tide CT war has brought
lice again together. You are rue
blue. Isabel-and your MOTHER"
I'VE would be, Harold" answered
the mother, with bowed head, but we
must pray for the gray. because Isa-
bells father is with Lee"
There do not weep, Mrs. Dean.
Soon all will be over. and George
Dean, we must hope. will come safely
back to you. But now | have not
many minutes. have actually stolen
the pleasure of this visit to ask Isabel
l asked her before | fed to join
the warriors of our starry banner-if
she will be my wife? l have been true
TO my love for you. Isabel. all these
years. The end of the war is at hand:
the great southern leader himself must
know il. / speak, Isabel
Harold. | cannot decide. All. did
/ not tell you. years ago. that l could
not choose between two such lovers as
yourself and Mart Diering2"
you still talk that way" he said,
with latent ~reproach, when you know
that wen in the long ago he resorted
to tricks to win you from me?'
"Ay. to-day" she rejoined. with
dropping head. Il confess / love both
too well to make solemn choice of
either"
Can nothing decide you?"
A third voice sounded Unexpectedly.
Across the threshold stepped another
of Sheridan's brave captains. Mart
Diering himself, and while Isabel did
not shrink from the warm grasp he.
too. gave her hands, he half faced
about, saying:
IL think | can suggest a way TO set
tie this, Captain Prentiss. You and I
were famous marksmen when we
roamed these same fields together be-
fore the war. Now. one of us must
win sweet Isabel. What say? let us
target for the rare prize. if she will
give assent. the luckiest bullseye to be
the winner"
Isabel. do you consent to this?"
Harold asked, eagerly.
An instant she hesitated, then an
swered:
BE it so. Whichever of you shall
strike the target nearest to the very
center, that one | will marry
Tomorrow afternoon we may man.
age this affair in the orchard at the
rear of this house." said Diering.
The rival captains separated.
Prentiss communicated to his wait
ing orderly, Jack Banks, what was in
prospect.
All right. Captain" said Banks. in
an unnecessarily hard voice; I'll
mark your bullet with crosses. one on
each side, so that there shall be no
mistake when you plug the center, for
/ know you are a quicker shot than
Captain Diering."
Then the orderly turned his head
and watched a skulking figure hasten
ing toward behring's horse. 1t was
the latter Captains orderly.
"He heard me and that's what ]
wanted-the rascal" Banks muttered.
THE bullet marked with crosses will
be fred by Captain Diering, but il
will not win, or | am mistaken in my
own hunters cunning and my Cap
tain's quickness."
Notwithstanding the excited though
systematic preparation for unleashing
the army for the preliminary assault
at Five Forks, the rival captains were
at the orchard in the real of the Dean
dwelling, each accompanied by a few
men from his company. A small tar.
get was improvised against a tree, and
Banks, having become master of the
ceremonies by skillful tossing of the
button, he said:
"Comrades-and you, ladies-this
contest requires that the winner shall
strike the target nearest the center
Comprehend my words. please"
1T is as you nave stated" declared
Isabel, grimly, but with fluttering
heart.
Ready" he cried. And the two
marksmen gripped their weapons with
steady nerve
"Aimi-ire."
A double report, mingled in one
broke the stiffness of the orchard.
The face Of Banks was beaming. He
knew that, almost im~perceptible as il
would seem, the shot from the rifle Of
his Captain was ahead by a fraction
Of a second.
rxv $3.50 n ---.I-