The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-06-20

resting on the lawn. Whether Peter
had retired or not, possessed no
means OF knowing, yet opened the
door silently bare inch to make sure.
At the same instant my ears caught
the Iieutenant'a Diminishing order, even
as my eyes had glimpse Of Swanson'a
broad back blocking the open doorway
OF room nearly opposite.
aThat win do. Peter. for the present.
Have the table prepared for three
guests OF once"
He backed out, casting q quick
glance Of caution in my direction, and
disappeared down the hall, rubbing his
bald head industriousIy. opened the
door wider, wondering II dare ven
ture upon slipping by unobseryed.
Then Grant spoke, his voice loud
enough to be easily heard:
"How did we come here7 Why,
where else could we go? The damned
rebels stripped us clean; we had to
have food. This was the neares.
rlace where we were certain OF getting
any. OF course / didn't know our
foragers had left Elmhurst alone. and
that~-for some cause which mystifies
CIinton--these Jersey outlaws have
been equally considerate. There was
plenty to be had here, and ] meant to
have 1t In spite Of the servants"
"You must have marched straight
mast vour own pIaca.n the boyigh voice
interrupted.
"Well, what If We did. There was
nothing there, as you know. The
house has been stripped to a mere
shell. Not a niger left, nor q horse.
I'd like to know what influence keeps
this property untouched"
That's easily answered: You forget
we are a divided family, with fighting
men on either SIDE"
Little these outlaws care for that"
AT least they appear to, as we re
main unmolested. There has not been
raiding party halted here since the
war began"
well, If you hadn't been at home,
there would have been one along
now" burst forth Grant rather rough-
ly. Those fellows out there are des-
perate enough to sack the house If
that was their only method Of getting
food. And ! promised they should have
the chance"
"Oh, you did, indeed! That would
have proven a friendly act"
Necessity does not take much ac-
count Of friendship. was responsible
for a hundred starving men. Under
such conditions force would be iusti-
fed. doubt If / could control the fell
lows now If provisions should be re-
fused.s'
There is no necessity for indulging
in threats, Captain Grant" said the
boys voice coldly. "Elmhurst has
never yet turned soldier away in
hunger. Peter win instruct what few
servants remain to attend to the Inn
mediate needs Of your men. May ask
how long you expect to remain?"
/ thought Grant was walking nerv-
ously back and forth across the room.
How long? Until night, probably.
Then with a bite in our haversacks
wen take the road again. That is,
providing you condescend to act as
our host for so long time. Odds life!
but this reception is not over warm to
my thinking"
"Elmhurst is not tavern, sir"
mo; but the home Of loyalist-the
commander of half those men out yon-
der. However ! am not pleading for
them, but myself personally. What
welcome have had? By all the gods,
/ was almost compelled to fight that
bald-headed old fool to even gain adj
mittance to the hall. Were those your
"Assuredly not. But you must con-
slider circumstances, and forgive Peter