Middletown transcript., 1912-01-06

/
Somebody ter hum tew, fer thel
ehimley is q smokin'."
OF course, now l 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. But
what man who loves, who is continual
ly 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 1 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" 1 ordered. "Sergeant!"
Il am here, Captain"
Take your men down into that hol-
low yonder, and remain there until l
return. Better post a sentry on the
hill here"
''It will be done, Captain"
81 shall not, probably, be absent
more than an hour, so don't permit the
uISu " SlIdys
dot is it, Captain. I 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 a sapling.
Then on foot 1 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 1 might inquire relative
to the great house and its inmates.
1t was slight upward trend OF
land l 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 1 approached the out
buildings. l met with no one, nor
could l perceive any negroes about
the slave quarters. Yet the place did
not bear the appearance of desertion.
There were horses in the stable, a 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
had exercised some caution in my ap-
proach.
The orchard, with the remains Of a
90 1oH hot h. 4
stable, protected by low fence of
whitened pickets. So far as 1 could
observe, It contained no occupant, and
l pushed open the gate and started
down a narrow cinder-path which led
between two rows of low bushes. To
right of 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 came opposite an open
ing leading into this arbor 1 suddenly
caught the flutter of drapery and
stopped instantly, my heart throbbing
like a frightened girls. 1t was quite
dark beneath the vine shadow, and l |
could make 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 arourA, and upon per
ceiying me gave vent to a quick ex-
clamation of terror.
Pardon me-" I said hastily, and re-
moving my hat, "but you have nothing
to fear"
There was moments hesitancy on
her part, and knew was being scru-
tinized by a pair Of bright eyes.
Surely" said a familiar voice, IT
cannot be mistaken-you are Captain
Before I could even answer she
stepped forth from her partial con-
cealment and advanced toward me
with cordially extended hands. It was
Celia Minor.
well, Of all men!" she cried gay
ly. her dark eyes smiling q most kind
ly welcome. "And Edith and l were
speaking about you only yesterday.
That is, I was, for really I do not re-
call now that Edith made any remark
apropos of the subject. You have no
idea, Captain Wayne, what a hero
have made you out to be. It would
make you positively vain If should
confess; why, Arthur has actually be-
come SO jealous that he has almost
me even to mention your
name in his presence. So when |
want to talk about you l am compelled
% go to Edith. She hasn't power to
stop me, you know, but I'm sure
must bore her awfully. And then to
hink that when you stood there Just
low, and l saw your gray uniform, l
lctually thought the guerillas had
'ome. My heart beats so now l can
lardly talk. But how pale and hag-
lard you look-is it that horrible
wound which troubles you still?"
Il have been discharged from the
hospital only a short time" 1 an
wered, as she paused to take breath.
Indeed, this is my first military serv-
CO for several months, yet am feel
ng quite strong again. Mrs. Brennan,
hen, is still with you?"
oh, yes; we have been here all
winter long. 1t has been so dull, for
eally nothing has happened, and the
alley is quite devoid of inhabitants
even the negroes have gone hunting
reedom. But Major Brennan and Ar
bur are to be here this afternoon,
nd sometime tonight we are all of
s going away together"
Eager as was to meet Brennan, 1
ad no desire that we should meet in
he presence of his wife. Better, far l
etter, would it be for me to leave at
nee and without even seeing her.
You say you are about to depart?"
asked, determined to learn all DOS
ble regarding their plans. DO you \
o North?"
Yes, to Baltimore and Washington.
he guerillas are becoming so desper. Il
-e in this neighborhood that we are
Otually afraid to remain here longer.
hey attacked the Cuyler plantation,
lly ten miles from here, two weeks
90, killed old Mr.. Cuyler, turned his
life out partially dressed in the mid
e OF the night, looted the house of