The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-01-25

iCHt'S IeuIdllitu ICN W 6udiN
the fields. and nowhere did note out
ward signs of devastation II was Vir
gnia as recalled II 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 II even
to myself: yet | rode steadily on. I'M
PEELED by my own weakness. or drawn
irresistibly by fate-whichever the
real cause | know mott would at
| least look upon those walls that had
once sheltered her. would learn II pos
sible II she was yet there. Then
WELL In the bondage OF my passion !
hoped for wha. 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 recros3ed 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 a house of any kind. Leaving
the brook behind US we toiled slowly
up long hill. and at the top Bur gay,
riding beside me. pointed to the west
ward
Cap" be said. thar is Their Minor
place"
The very sight of it in the distance
was a thrill--a great white house
placed well back from the road and
almost hidden from sight by fine,
large trees an od.fashioned, 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.
"Hain't 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 smokin'."
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
had ventured to come to her In love,
nor could ! lock Into those clear. hon.
est. questioning eyes and lie.
Halt" | ordered. Sergeant"
~ 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 permi. the
men to stray"
Dot is IT. Captain will b. 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 saplng
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 II
with trees, both fruit and ornamental.
was enabled to make but 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 curled up on one Of the cabjn
door steps, and smoke continued 20
pour in a dull yellow cloud from the
kitchen chimney. Altogether there
was much In the situation &c puzzle
ever, and no longer regretted that
had ayarrtrnt NJ In,
proach.
The orchard. with the remains OF a
garden. lay between the house and the
stable. protected by a low fence OF
whitened pckets so far as | could
observe. 1t contained no occupant. and
pushed open 'ne gate and started
down a narrow cinder.path which led
between two COWS Of low bushes, To
right OF me was an extensive grape
arbor, completely covered with vines,
the fresh green leaves forming de
! lightful contrast to the deep blue sky
beyopi As came opposite an open
Ing leading into this arboi | suddenly
| calght the flutter OF drapery and
! slapped instantly. my heart throbbIng
| AXE a frightened girls It was quite
/ dark beneath the vine shadow, and
! 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 around and uron per.
celying me gave vent 10 quick ex.
clamation OF terror
Pardon me" ! said hastily. and re-.
moving my hat. but you have nothing
10 fear"
There was moments hesitancy on
her part, and knew | was being scru
tinized by pair OF bright ewes.