Year: 1872

Conway.


The sweet mystery of those intangible Wis
ions which hover between waking and sleep
ing, which are 80 hard to retain or recall, was
just brooding over Grace, and she caught her
self holding out her hand with vague in
stinct that it was to shake her finger at some
of Jacks mischief; but before she could think
what, or how it was, she was perfectly reused
by voice at the side door, almost under her
window.


care YOU sure there's no one around to hear
us?"


Perfectly unless there's some one outside.
All the family sleep in the upper rooms on
the other side of the house, and they have
been silent for an hour. I've been writing
home, and had just finished when you came"


Grace felt shiver run through her. What
could any one want at that time of night that
required secresy? Raising herself cautiously
and adjusting the curtain so the night air
could not blow on her-yet she could hear
every sound-she placed her head by bro
ken pane and listened attentively.


"Col. Ford has received new orders. We
are not to move on with the main division in
the morning, but stay and clean out a portion
of Wheeler's cavalry, which are said to be
lurking below here; and then there'll be no
need of a garrison at this point"


II saw no use in one from the first"


"Nor I but then, Clinton, we don't see the
use of great many things ordered by the
powers that be ; but Ford sees a good job in
our being left and wishes me to share in it."


"What is it ?"


"Well, sit down, captain, and I'll tell you" :"
and from the sound, Grace knew one Of the
men seated himself on the steps.


"What difference in the January nights
here from those at home. We'd have to be
stirring there to keep from freezing, while
here we can sit out of doors with comfort.
I've camped out so long feel stiaed in
house, and then , like to be out where 1 can
keep an eye and ear out for what's going on,
though there's little danger of being surprised
here. The chivalry keep at good distance,
and I'll warrant this State the easiest to walk
through of any we've been in yet"


Grace felt her face burn, and she almost
wished to utter an indignant protest to this, as
she thought, unjust slur on her native State !;
but prudence kept her silent, and in moment
more her whole mind was absorbed in listen
ing to the reply to Clintons question


II thought, Vincent, you were going to tell
me what job you and Colonel Ford have on
hand" and Clinton sat down on the steps.


"Why, you see, one Of the negroes this
Elliott claims, has told where the old fellow is
hid with some very fine horses. Its only four
or five miles of, on an island in this great
swamp on our right, and we are to start so as
to get there by daylight, capture the men-and
horses, and 60 on to rout Wheeler's cavalry
by sunrise or little after. The old negro is
to be our guide"


81 don't see how you can wish to 60 on
such hummer expedition. It's not like you
at ALL We are hindered and hampered
enough with what lies right in our path, with
out hunting up what has got out of our way.
We carry off and destroy everything, till my
heart aches for the people when we leave
them"


cit will ache worse before we get through
this State, I'm thinking, from the license al
lowed thus far


"I'm afraid so, too, if the officers set an ex-
ample; but I hope you are not in earnest
about going to hunt up few horses in
swamp which will be nothing to this great
army, but are everything to the country when
we are gone"


"Why, these are not common horses but
blooded animals that have had the choicest
attention, and are worth thousands"


"But, Vincent, can't bear to think of your
taking them-I won't call it by harder
name-even if they were worth millions We
can do our duty as soldiers, without soiling
our hands with any mean outside action"


"Don't say word, Clinton ; I've promised
Colonel Ford to 60 and must do so, but I'll
not undertake anything Of the kind again. I
wouldn't give up my old Mettle, that's done
ME such good service, for the best horse in the
State; but here's the point now. The colonel
has cousin, scheming, speculating man,
keen as a briar, who went into Savannah as
soon as we took it; and we are still so near
that the horses could be sent right to him and
all make something handsome on them.'


II did not think Colonel Ford, or you,
would have done such thing. I must say
you are weakening my estimate of YOU


"Now, Clinton, old friend, don't put on that
tone. don't like the job overmuch, but not
on account Of the horses so much, as that
Colonel Ford is determined to take Elliott
prisoner, unless he is shot while defending
himself and horses"


Grace could scarcely repress shrek. She
shuddered, and her heart seemed to freeze
within her; but while she gasped and clung to
the window-sill for support, she still strained
her ears to catch every word of the converse
tion which was carried on in subdued tones.


"What can be his object in troubling an old
man one who can't harm him, and who has
such family to care for?"


90, its an old grudge dating back to the
L oIo 70