The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1913-01-17
-cap.- b "a. .thar !. .hsr Minor

was thriil-a groat white mouse
placed well back from the road and
almost hidden from sight by fine,
large trees an old-fashiohed, big
roomed house It looked to be. built
after the colonial type, wide veranda
upon three sides. with fiuted columns
TO support the ovsrhanging 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 tho peaceful scene.
Somebody ter hum tew, Der Their
chimley is q smokin'."
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. But
what man who loves, who is continual
ly swayed by hopes and fears, by
strength and weakness, ever does the
sensible thing7 had certainly IN
tended doing so Of the start, but now
my nerve failed me. She was the
wife Of another. l could not confess
I had ventured to come to her In love,
nor could look into those clear. hon
est. questioning eyes and lie.
Haiti" ordered. "Sergeanti"
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
"It viii be done. Captain"
Il shall not, probably. be absent
moro than ar hour, 20 don't permit the
men to stray"
Dot is II, Captain. viii DO init
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 10 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.
It was a slight upward trend OF
land had to traverse, and although
the house was most slightly object
and stood upon the very summit Of the
elevation. yet 10 surrounded was It
with trees, both fruit and ornapental
was enabled to make but little OF Its
situation until approached the out
buildings. met with no one, nor
could l perceive any negroes Gbout
the slave quartera 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 to
pour in duh 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 q
garden, lay bet fesn the house and the
stable. protected by . low fence OF
vhitened pickets. SO far as could
observe. It contained no occupant. and
I pushed open the gate and started
down 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 de-
hghtful contrast to the deep blue sky
beyond. As came opposite an open
ing leading into this arbor suddenly
caught the fiutter of drapery and
stopped 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 a quick ex-
clamation Of terror.
Pardon me-. said hastily, and re-
moving my hak 'but you have nothing
to fear"
There was q moments hesitancy on
her part, and hmsw was being scru-
tinized by pair Of bright eyes.
Surely said . familiar voice. Il
cannot be niistAhan- are Captain
Wayne"
Before l could even answer she
stepped forth nom her partial con-
oealment and advunoed toward me
with cordially extended hands. It was
Celia Minor.
well, of ell msnf- she cried gay
ly. her dark eyes sntlins most kind
ly welcome. "And Ddith and were
speaking about you only yesterday.
That is, was, for Seally do not re-
can now that Edith made any remark
apropos Of the subject You have no
idea. Captain Wayna. what q hero |
have made you ont to be. It would
mako you positively vain II should
confess; why. Arthur has actually be-
come 20 Jealous that he has almost
forbidden me even to mention your
name IN his presence. so whom I
want to talk about you am compelled
to go to Edith. She hasn't power TO
stop me, you know, but I'm sure
must bore her awfully. And then to
think that when you stood there just
now, and saw your gray uniform, |
actually thought the guerillas had
come My heart beats 30 now can
hardly talk But how pale and bag
gard you looks It that horrible
wound which troubles you still?"
Il have been discharged from the