Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-01-31

and foraging parties. and so short had
been their stay that even the rail-
fences remained undisturbed to guard
the fields. and nowhere did note out
ward signs of devastation Il vas Viz
ginia as / recalled 1t 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 anc
selfish / scarcely burst whisper II even
to myself: yet | rode steadily on. Inn
PEELED by my own weakness. or drawn
irresistibly by tate-whlchever the
real cause | know not--l would at
least look upon those walls that had
once sheltered her would learn If pos
sible II she was yet there. Then
we'll. in the bondage OF my passion
hoped for what might happen. as
every lover does
II must Rave 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 a 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 recros5ed 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 II 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 II In the distance
was thrill--a great white house
placed well back from the road and
almost hidden from sigh, by tine.
large trees an oldfashioned. big
roomed house 1t looked to be. built
after the colonial type. wide veranda
upon three sides, with fluted columns
to support the overhanging roof.
'Haint 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 Their
chimley Is smokip'"
or 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 But
what man who loves. who is continual
ly swayed by hopes and 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
lad yentured TO come to her In love,
nor could look into those clear. hon.
est. questioning eyes and lie
HAITI" | ordered Sergeant"
u am here. Captain"
Take your men down into that hot
low yonder. and remain there until
return. Better post a sentry on the
hill here"
1T win be done. Captain"
Il shall not. probably. be absent
more than an hour. so don't permit the
men to stray"
Dot is II. Captain yill b. NIT
dem all over.
rode down alone into the thick
woods at the foot OF the hill. and dis
mounting, tied my horse 10 sapling.
Then on foot | struck across the
fields, my intention being TO come In
by the way Of the negro quarters at
the rear, "a hoge of meeting some one
from whom / might inquire relative
to the great house and It's inmates
II 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 Il
with trees, both fruit and ornamental.
! was enabled to make hut little of It's
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. a cat
was cuTled up on one of the cabin
door steps, and smoke continued 20
pour in duh yellow cloud from the
kitchen chimney. Altogether there
was much in the situation &c 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 this house and the
stable. Protected by low fence OF
whitened pickets, So far as could
observe, 1t contained no occupant. and
pushed open me gate and started
down narrow cinder-path which led
between two COWS OF Tow bushes. To
arbor. completely covered with vines,
the frest green leaves forming a de
lightful contrast TO the deep blue SKY
beyopi. As came opposite an open.
ing leading into this arbor suddenly
caught the hutter OF drapery and
stopped instantly. my heart thFobbing
t,ke a frightened girls. II 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 an at once
she glanced around and upon per
ceiying me gave vent 70 a quick ex
clamation Of terror,
Pardon me, I said hastily, and re
moving my hat. but you have nothing
20 fear"