The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-25

/ and forag1ng parties, and SO short mad
been their stay that even the rail
fences remained undisturbed to guard
| the fields. and nowhere did | note out
ward signs of devastation. 1t was Vir-
ginia as recalled it in those old days
Of peace and plenty, before civil strife
had sown the land with dead.
What possible excuse, then, had |
for going there? In my own heart
knew had none, or one so poor and
selfish | scarcely burst whisper it even
| to myself; yet | rode steadily on. Inn
! PEELED by my own weakness or drawn
| irresistibly by fate-whichever the
real cause | know not would at
| least look upon those walls that had
once sheltered her, would learn If pos
sible If she was yet there. Then
we'll, in the bondage of my passion
hoped for what might happen. as
every lover does.
1t must have been two o'clock; we
had baited our horses, remember, an
hour previous; and the Sergeant had
enjoyed his monday siesta beneath
the shade of great bush bearing pur-
pie blossoms. The road we had been
travelling since early morning wound
| in and out among great trees, and
crossed and recrossed the little stream
called the Cowskin until | almost
thought we had lost our way. We met
with no one in all the long days rid
ing. not even a stray negro. and In
deed it was some hours since we had
] passed house of any kind Leaving
/ the brook behind us we toiled slowly
up long hill, and at the top Burgay,
riding beside me. pointed to the west
ward.
Cap" he said. thar is Their Minor
place.
The very sight of it in the distance
was a thrill-a great white house
placed we'll back from the road and
almost hidden fron sight by fine.
large trees an old-fashioned. big
roomed house 1t looked to be, built
after the colonial type. wide veranda
upon three sides, with futed columns
| to support the overhanging roof.
tHaint no signs es fer es kin see
of any trouble havin' Cured thar
| Jed said slowly, his shrewd gray eyes
roaming over the peaceful scene.
somebody ter hum tew. fer ther
chimley is a s1nokin'."
| Of course, now was there, the only
sensible thing for me to do would
have been to ride openly to the front
door, and thus learn all ! desired BIT
what man who loves. who is continual
| ly swayed by hopes ard fears, by
strength and weakness. ever does the
sensible thing? | had certainly in
| tended doing so at the start, but now
my nerve failed me- She was the
wife of another. | could not confess
! | had ventured to come to her In love.
nor could look into those clear, hon
est, questioning eyes and lie.
Haiti" / ordered. Sergeant"
Il 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 will be done. Captain"
Il shall not, probably, be absent
more than an hour. SO don't permit the
men to stray"
Dot is it, Captain. | will be NIT
dem all over"
rode down alone into the thick
woods at the foot of the hill. and dis
mounting, tied my horse to sapling
Then on foot struck across the
fields, my intention being to come in
by the way of the negro quarters at
the rear, in hope of meeting some one
from whom | might inquire relative
to the great house and its inmates.
1t was slight upward trend OF
land had to traverse, and although
the house was a most slightly object
and stood upon the very summit of the
elevation, yet so surrounded was it
with trees, both fruit and ornamental
| was enabled to make but little of its
situation until | approached the out
buildings. 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. cat
was curled up on one of the cabin
door steps, and smoke continued co
pour in dull yellow cloud from the
kitchen chimney. Altogether ihere
was much in the situation to puzzle
ever, and ! no longer regretted that |
had exercised some caution in my ap-
proach.
The orchard, with the remains or a
garden, lay between tbs house and the
stable, protected by a low fence OF
whitened pickets. so far as could
observe. 1t contained no occupant. and
pushed open tne gate and started
down a narrow cinder-path which led
between two sows of low bushes. To
right of me was an extensive grape
arbor, completely covered with vines.
the fresk green leaves forming de-
lightful contrast to the deep blue sky
beyop5. AS came opposite an open
ing leading into this arbor | suddenly
caught the autter of drapery and
stepped instantly. my heart throbbing
like frightened girls. 1t was quite
dark beneath the vine shadow, and
could make out no more than that
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 quick ex-
clamation of terror
Pardon me- | said hastily. and re-
moving my hat..s'but you have nothing
10 fear"