The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-03-26
chimley is a smokin'."

what man who loves, who Is continual.
" swayed by hopes and fears. by
strength and weakness, ever does the
sensible thing? l had certainly in
tended doing so at the start, but now
my nerve failed me. She was the
wife OF another. I could not confess
l had ventured TO come to her In love.
nor could / look into those clear. hon
est questioning eyes and lie.
Haiti" ] ordered. Sergeant"
i am here. Captain"
Take your men down into that hol-
low yonder. and remain there until
return. Better post sentry on the
hill here"
1T viii be done, Captain"
shall not. probably, be absent
more than an hour, 80 don't permit the
men to stray"
Dot is it, Captain. Will be NIT
dem all over"
l rode down alone into the thicJ,
woods at the foot of the hill. and dis
mounting, tied my horse to a sapling.
Then on foot l struck across the
fields, my intention being to come In
by the way Of the negro quarters ut
the rear, In hope Of meeting some one
from whom / might inquire relative
to the great house and its inmates.
1t was a slight upward trend or
land | had to traverse and although
the house was most slightly object
and stood upon the very summit of the
elevation. yet SO surrounded was It
with trees. both fruit and ornamental,
Il anQhlaH IN 10 h,,t
situation until I approached the out
buildings. 1 met with no one, nor
could / perceive any negroes about
the slave quarters. Yet the place did
not bear the appearance Of desertion.
There were horses in the stable, q cat
was curled up on one OF the cabin
door steps. and smoke continued to
pour In dull yellow cloud from the
Kitchen chimney. Altogether there
was much In the situation to puzzle
ever. and no longer regretted that I
had exercised some caution In my ap-
preach
The orchard. with the remains OF a
garden, lay between the house and the
stable, protected by low fence of
whitened pickets. So far as l could
observe, It contained no occupant, and
/ pushed open the gate and started
down n narrow cinder-path which led
between two rows of low bushes. To
right or me was an extensive grape
arbor, completely covered with vines,
the fresh green leaves forming a de.
lightful contrast to the deep blue sky
beyond. AS I came opposite an open
Ing leading into this arbor I suddenly
caught the flutter OF drapery and
stopped instantly. my heart throbbing
like frightened girls. 1t was quite
dark beneath the vine shadow, and /
| could mako out no more than that a
woman stood there, her back toward
me, busted at some task. Possibly
she felt my presence, for all at once
she glanced around, and upon per-
ceiving me gave vent to a quick ex-
clamation Of terror.
Pardon me-" said hastily. and re-
moving my hat. "but you have nothing
to fear"
There was a moments hesitancy on
her part. and knew was being scru-
tlni8ed by pair Of bright eyes.
Surely" said q familiar voice. ct
cannot BIO mistaken-you are Captain
Wayne"
Before / could even answer she
stepped forth from her partial con-
cealment and advanced toward me
with cordially extended hands. It was
Celia Minor.
We'll, OF all men!" she cried gay
ly, her dark eyes smiling a most kind
ly welcome. And Edith and I were
speaking about you only yesterday.
That is, was, for really I do not re-
call now that Edith made any remark
epropos of the subject. You have no
Idea, Captain Wayne, what a hero /
have made you out to be. 1t would
make you positively vain II / should
confess; why. Arthur has actually be-
come so Jealous that he has almost
forbidden me even to mention your
name In his presence. So when
want to talk about you am compelled
to go to Edith. She hasn't power to
| stop me, you know, but I'm sure |
must bore her awfully. And then to
think that when you stood there Just
now. and | saw your gray uniform. /
actually thought the guerillcs had
como. My heart beats so now can
hardly talk But how pale and bag
! gard you looks II that horrible
wound which troubles you stlll?"
Il have been discharged from the
hospital only a short time" / an
swered, as she paused to take breath.
Indeed, this is my first military serv-
Ice for several months, yet I am feel
Ing quite strong again. Mrs. Brennan,
then, is still with your"
oh, yes; we have been here all
winter long. II has been so dull for
really nothing has happened. and the
| valley is quite devoid OF inhabitants
- even the negroes have gone hunting
freedom. But Major Brennan and Ar
thur are to be here this afternoon,
and sometime tonight we are all of
us going away together"
Eager as / was to meet Brennan.
had no desire that we should meet I'm
the presence OF his wife. Better. far
better, would It be for me to leave at
once and without even seeing her.
You say you arc about 10 depart7"
/ asked, determined TO learn ali DOS
sible regarding their plans. do you
80 North?"
Yes, to Baltimore and Washington.
The guerillas are becoming 80 desper-
ate in this neighborhOOd that we are