The War Library: Phil, the Scout — page 2: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Pieews NcoU Oe Ne ee 2 PHIL, THE SCOUT; ——OR,——_ A Fight for Beauregard’s Dispatches A Lively Story of Shiloh’s Bloody Field. BY CAPTAIN ILIEN VERNE, CHAPTER I. A STILETTO. A stormy night in Western ‘Tennessee. Desolate though the scene was and fuli of evil suggestions, on this nighta man was crouching in the shadows of the low grow- ing trees surrounding a handsome Southern residence. He had been an hour in making his way up from the highway, which stretched, heavy and black, toward the Tennessee River, for in every direction about the building ran the beats of vigilant rebel senti- nels, guarding the quarters of Colonel Font- neroy. Now flaton his face, crawling over the cold wet grass, now dashing quickly across a narrow opening, and now dodging into the shade of some dense growth of shrubbery, the bird of the tempest had finally reached a point from which, by extreme care, he could peer through the window, half hidden by a thick ivy-vine, into the room where sat the Confederate colonel. As he pulls aside the dripping vine the light from within falls for an instant full in his face. It is that of a man who has been hunting for something till every line on his counten- ance is plowed deep with watchful anxiety —a face ig,which may be traced determina- tion ungpelding, vigilance untiring and bravery undaunted. Could we have seen his entire form we would mark how uncouth yet serviceable was the attire he wore; how unkempt was his whole appearance, like that of one whose own hands alone performed the task of pre- paring and keeping in order the garments which sheltered him from wind and tem- pest. As this singular man turned his gaze upon the face of Colonel Fontneroy, a glare came into his eyes like that seen in those of a beast hungry for prey, and asmile almost ghastly in its hideousness lighted up his hard feat- ures. Hark! He whispers! ‘“ Aha! Atlast, at last, my brave colonel, lhave found you! Found you! Ay, and to-night shall you learn of my presence, and know that my vow isnot forgotten. Will this be the last time I visit you? No; I must see you still nearer; must meet you face to face, and wring from your accursed lips the words for which I have waited so long. And yet, may not my waiting for this, cheat me of my purpose? If I thought it— but no: it shall not be done now. I will wait. Justice is on myside. Ha! he isnot alone. Well, it matters not.’’ The hand of the stranger sought his breast. A moment later it held a weapon which slittered in the lamp light as it shimmered through the damp leaves. He stroked it lovingly, as one might fondle a child, and muttered words inaudible tu all but himself. Inside that room the rebel colonel had sat alone all the evening long. His pen had traced page after page, hur- riedly, till there lay on the table before him a pile of manuscript wet with ink. Once or twice the door had opened softly. An inquiry had been made, and an answer given. When the hands of the clock on the man- jtel denoted ten a footstep woke the colonel from bis labor. Looking up quickly he saw a fair young lady. with eyes and hair dark as midnight, and lips of the loveliest red. ‘‘Laura!’’ he exclaimed, springing up and seizing the hand she extended toward him with a smile. ‘‘Yes, Laura,’’ she replied. ‘‘ You did not Why should I? expect me.’’ ‘‘Through this storm, no. {t seems almost madness in you to attempt it. See, you are drenched through and through.” He lifted her cape, which was indeed wet, as if it had been dipped in the river. ‘“Pshaw! What care I forsuch a storm as this! Why, this is grand. It is only the lightning which makes me tremble. When sueh tempests come I hide away out of reach of Lard gleam and roar. To-night is nothing. THE WAR LIBRARY. Can you not guess why Ihave come here to-night ?”’ There was something in the tone and the look which made the heart of the Confeder- ate officer leap madly. Well did he know what had _ brought Laura Doane thither in spite of night and storm, ‘= can guess, Laura,’’ he said, his voice as- suming a gentler tone. ‘‘ But don’t you think it a great deal to risk? How did you pass the guard ?”’ ‘Thad some trouble, that is true. Your men hold their watch over you well. Colonel Fontneroy must be much beloved by them. It was only by producing the letter you sent me last that I was allowed to come within the lines. You remember in that you gave me some instructions to follow in case I should ever want to come here?” “Did I? [had almost——” ‘“‘ Forgotten it, you mean,’’ interrupted the girl, seeing him hesitate foran instant. There was a tone of reproach in her voice. ‘“No—no; I did not mean that; but you see I have been so busy of late. It would not be surprising if some things did escape my memory, would it?’ “Tf you are satisfied with your explanation, I surely ought to be. You men do not think so much about these things as we do.”’ Laura Doane was watching the face of her lover closely. Did she mistrust him? We shall see. The colonel bit his lip. It was evident that he felt disturbed. girl came to the rescue. ‘“‘But your letter -erved me well. It gained me entrance here.”’ ‘““And you bring us pews.”’ The ‘‘No. I did not come for that. There is nothing new outside. The Union troops are resting still. When they do strike, the blow will be terrible.”’ ‘Skeptical as ever in regard to the justness of our cause, I see. If I were to tell you that we strike first, what then ?’ ‘‘ Colonel Fontneroy, I believe that right is on the side of the Confederates. You have not heard me say aught to the contrary. What I do say is, secession never will prevail. It becomes more and more evident every hour. Disaster is all that awaits you.”’ ‘‘ You forget that our people are becoming more thoroughly aroused than at any previ- ous time since the war opened. hen churches, court houses and every public in- stitution give up their bells for use in found- ing cannon, it shows that the hearts of our citizens believe in rebellion, and will stand by it to the last.”’ ‘“Yes, [remember all this; but let me ask if that metal ever reached the founderies? You know, as well as I, thatit fell at once into the hands of the Unionists. So ends your beautiful illustration. Night rests with the North. It will crush out this loyal, patriotic South. Look at what you have just lost at Fort Donelson and Island Number Ten! It will always be thus here- after.”’ The Confederate colonel remained silent fora mumeut. The reference to these recent disasters to the Confederate arms chafed him. ‘And I have come to-night to ask you once more if you will not give up this fight- ing. Itisagainst fate and against reason.” ‘* Laura!” ‘Tt would kill me if anything happened to you. I know it.” There shown in the girl’s eyes a tender light which could not be mistaken. Inter- preting it, the Confederate winced and moved in his chair uneasily. A ae the girl bent her piercing gaze upon im. ‘* You do not really wish me to stop where Iam now, do you? I have great hopes for the future.”’ ‘¢ Hopes greater than facts warrant. Don’t think I want to blight any real ambition of yours. Forgive me, won’t you, for saying this? But Icannot think you are truly de- sirous of following this life. If it should, by uny chance, lead to the glory you dream of, do you believeit would satisfy you?” ‘“You have too many questions to-night, Laura,’’ said Fontneroy, rising hastily, and beginning to pace the room. ‘‘I can state my position in this matter very briefly. The South has right on its side. I feel that I ought to do allI can to aid her cause; and, God helping me, I will not swerve from what I deem a duty.” “So you peter to forget those who love you, if need be, put them far out of mind, that you may gratify this blind ambition! Well, it may.” ‘‘You wrong me; I do not forget my in friends. I think of you often, Laura.” ‘‘ Asa friend, only ?’’ It was wonderful how quickly she grasped at every word, which tended to show that the love she bore him was not fully returned by this haughty Southerner. Her passionate nature demanded, measure for measure, the affection she gave. Andit was evident she would brook no trifling. ‘‘ Laura, dearest, I cannot understand why — you speak thus,’’ said Fontneroy, seeming ~ to throw aside all restraints, and speaking in — a different manner than he had assumed in the course of the interview. ‘‘ You know lL look upon you as my dearest friend. Don’t — pain me by your unjust words. Icannotre- | trace my steps, now the waris upon us. I hold a position of trust, and would be a traitor were I to abandon it. Iam sure your prophecy of evil will not be fulfilled. We now have on foot a scheme, the issue of which will, I doubt not, turn the tide in our favor. I cannot speak further of our plans, even to you; but Lask you only to wait pa-— ¥ ta 4" tiently a few days longer before:you abandon ~ r hope of our success.”’ ‘i ‘“‘T could wait forever for anything you ‘ ask!’ the girl said, as she lifted the hand of ~ the Confederate to her lips. ‘‘ Perhaps I am § down-hearted to-night. Icannotdriveaway — from my heart the feeling that harm will © come to youif you do not let war go and come back to me.”’ 4 ‘“‘T will come back to you with love all the — stronger for waiting; and I can’t help think- ing you will be glad to share the glory | am ~ winning, too, by and by.”’ * ‘‘Give me the love and you may keep the © glory!’’ said the girl, gently, as she rested — her head fora moment on the breast of the ~ rebel officer. Then springing up she said” ~ quickly : ‘‘T must be away. I have staid too long ~ already. Molly will scold me soundly for ~ this anyway.” . “Ahi Molly. She is still with you, then?” — ‘‘Oh, yes; the dear girl is so devoted to me 4 * 7 a that she cannot endure it if lam out of her sight an instant.”’ ‘‘She hopes to convert you, maybe, to her ~ political belief.”’ ‘‘Tt cannot be done. Even Molly is admit- ting it at last.’”” Then she heard a footstep outside, and placing her hand in that of — Fontneroy, whispered: “alee ‘“‘Good-night, dearest. Do be very caretanay for my sake!” Oe Another instant and she was gone. | MA -Lil Colonel Fontneroy threw himself into his — chair, and placing his hands upon his fore- — head muttered to himself: — * ‘‘ What ademon Iam! Heavens, how that « girl canlove. Had I known it sooner— | itis like playing with fire to even suggest-. that [am not hers body andsoul. What can — Ido? Certainly there must be some end to — this. I ought to have told her long ago. If her evil words should come true——”’ The words died on his lips. ! The sharp ring of a pistol woke the night — air. | ; Colonel Fontneroy threw up his arms wildly, and uttered a terrible cry, then fell — headlong across his table. Pa Through the window before him :which ~ had been slightly raised, something fluttered _ tc the floor. A) ee A close view revealed the fact that it sls a stiletto. \ > eae It pinned to the carpet a piece of paper. a CHAPTER II. ahd ON DANGEROUS GROUND, The same night. 35a ae Not far from the hour when the Confeder~ _ ate colonel was engaged in conversation Witu ™ Laura Doane, a man rode hurriedly up the gravel walk leading from the road. _ er, Flinging himself from the saddle, hespoke ~ a single word to the soldier who confronted him at the door and sprung up the steps. As the light from within fell upon him it revealed the face of a young man, clad in the gray uniform adopted by the Confederacy. He was handsome as an Apollo, with a form which seemed built for deeds of bray- ery and endurance. His eyes, dark and pierc- ing, seemed to take in at asingle glance the entire room and its occupants; and a smile curled his lip, as he strode to the great fire — blazing in the old-fashioned fire-place. '~ Seeming to recognize in the new-comera | man who would demand atonce respect and ~ obedience, the group about the sparkling | fire made way for him, and forsome mo- — ments contented themselves in surveying ~ him from head to foot in a manner savorir g much of suspicion. ‘ com (S.COM 4 ¥. Ebhoo *