Show NEITHER THIEF NOR A man clad in federal uniform and mounted on a broken down horse stood gazing anxiously about him he way was tired and very hungry his horse was in ii as bad a plight the sun had set where when should he rest for the night capt fairlie was one of morgans men indeed he belonged to his stale staff it was not a very enviable position sit cu present for morgan had been captured and his command defeated dispersed were trying to find their way singly oj in squads back into dixie in the sacking of a lot of government stores at the beginning of a raid rapt r apt fairlie had possessed himself hemsell of s federal captains uniform and had donned it with no thought of playing SE soy but cimpl simply that it was new and his ara alc and fadey faded now it would stand hin him ir in good stead in helping him to escape what should he do where should he go he had left the turnpike and taken to a bridle path across a wood hs as safer but the thought of camping there and going to bed was wa sad indeed just then a girl mounted on a handsome thoroughbred emerged from the woods and struck into the road a liede ahead of him following this unc unconscious guide he had reached a house sel ilet back in a grove the young lady had disappeared but the traveler rendered desperate by hunger determined on a bold move he would pass himself off of for a federal quartermaster purchasing forage and that he thought would in iii sure him a welcome whether the owner was union or confederate in lili afa feelings no farmer would be adverse to selling hay he accordingly rode boldly up to the door and dismounting told the gentle man his business antl aiila was cordially invited to spend the night his host proved to be a strong unionist and th danger he had run of having his hap ha snatched by morgans command now made him anxious to dispose of it before any further trouble threatened it lie found in capt fairlie a very libe liberal business man he agreed to pay a ven good price for the hay and to buy afi entire crop I 1 this put mr lane in a high good humor and the visitor had every atten tion showed him while his horse was wad taken round to the stable and cared for he 1 seems badly used up observed veo mr lane 1 I had the luck to run afoul of a squad squab of morgans men and had to run for i it the rascals gave chase though wh what they wanted to hamper themselves wi with me for I 1 could not ima imagine gnei however they quite used up my horse e for I 1 dig dial not hanker after their society no I 1 should not ma wretches I 1 am indeed glad of the fats that has overtaken morgan I 1 wish the whole crew could follow their general to the penitentiary it is where they ab 1 belong they would rather crowd the buil build ing said capt fairlie laughing As they spoke mr lane ushered his guest into the parlor where his daulph daughter sat playing the piano and ca capt t fairlie faioli at once recognized his guide guid she bel stowed upon the officer when ii introduced a cold bow and resumed h her playing though in a softer key I 1 1 I care if they did find am af penitentiary snug quarters pack the them 1 in 1 I feel no mercy for them said mr fa Lva gely at they are human creatures creature S papa 1 apse girl turning around from fion the gru ment 08 t rephey ley dont act much like vern em said bir hilk father dryly destroying and stealing in ahin things k as they do fl but t als ail 1 that is done in in war 11 dont argue with me lida cried her father suppose one of morgans off with pet how in ma should walk zoiaw you feel law awfully fully sorry said she smiling of course and nothing saved him buethe defeat of the wretches 41 im insure s ure the federals press horses said the girl 1 I dont care if they do that is is a awe different 7 rent case all good citizens will sustain the government 1 I dont think so cried the girl how can you think otherwise asked capt fairlie 1 I am surprised to hear you advance such sentiments your surprise is of no moment to me s sir ar to said she haughtily my c daughter I 1 I 1 began the father well ell it N papa apa this is a free country countr Y 0 or r said to be and every one has a L right to an opinion and my opinions are all confederate said she looking the captain defiantly in the face 1 X am truly thankful that you have but opinions and that morgan and aad his rascals never reached here or you would have ruined me zut cut papa IV we ve wont discuss it I 1 II 11 said her father hessme th the room the girl rose to f p age him Re return turri and entertain the gentleman said he in a low voice do YOP ai my property confiscated on the all of gf southern sympathizing and all for war r nonsense lubi returned to her seat with heigh te tent color and downcast eyes SL cannot understand said capt favlle bibow how you came to have such ments y awer you eve ever r see any of Mo morgans rians answer you had they would have if itt chanted ted you t likely 1 jot lof of dirty yi thieving ragamuffins raga muffins you ou will oblige mel me sir by not dis them capt fairlie now shifted the conversation sa round and praised the federals tilt companion who preserved a profound f silence looked as if she could axed kis his ears he was mian mean en enough to enjoy teasing her feeling how safe bis union sentiments made him so h d on and on lida preserving a td silence till at the sound of her ts footsteps in the hall she sud d turn turned ed on her tormentor and Ft hink you are the most hateful man I 1 ever saw and and I 1 despise you 1 mr lane cut short any reply by inviting his guest out to supper and capt fairce made himself very agreeable to his host by agreeing with all ah his union sentiments senti mints and even exceeding him in his bis denunciations of the confederate caw cause and so io won his heart that the ge invited him to stay with a borsi few days and meet his I 1 son whom lit he expected in the morning capt fairlie politely thanked him but feba he could not bof accept abbis business was pressing 1 I ibave have no doubt it is thought lid lida I 1 pressing others peoples property mn and pa papa eida a so blind lida spent the evening at the piano playing to herself and taking no part in the conversation between the two men mr lane leaving the room for A moment fairlie seized the the opportunity to speak to his companion M miss iss lane laae said he standing beside the piano and speaking in a low voice let me thank you for a pleasant evening IV in fand and I 1 you for a very disagreeable one she answered 1 I know that and I 1 cannot leave without disabusing abusing dis your mind of your 0 opinion of me that you cannot do said she hotly for I 1 detest you even if you knew I 1 was one of morgans men flying for my life you see how much I 1 risk to gain your good opinion my ve very life it is safe with me I 1 if i rl vat what you say is true did not I 1 play my part to admiration whispered he smili smiling ng 1 I think you did you deceitful creature I 1 and how angry your father will be tomorrow to morrow when he finds his forage thrown back on his hands iam I 1 am sorry for that i it matter he can easily sell it but he will be furious at the trick 1 I skin for skin what wont a man give for his life said the captain and then he told her how when wondering where he should go he be had followed her home are you a kentuckian I 1 no I 1 am a georgian and will be glad enough to be back again in dixie so alter after I 1 leave tomorrow to morrow think of me as kindly as you can indeed I 1 will what can I 1 do for you oh do let do something for I 1 you arent you now giving aid and comfort to the rebellion very little said she smiling but it saved me much sundering nering su ring I 1 will long remember this even mr lane entered and cut short the sen sentence write the good gentleman was astonished ton toni shed at the change in his daughters deportment she was so polite to her guest and bade him such a smiling good night what caused yu you to alter so suddenly asked her tather father after fairlie had gone to his room you seemed so pleased to tell him good night well so I 1 was papa tiresome crea creature cried lida laughing gleefully to think that one of morgans men was in their housel house to think that she held such a valuable secreta she was wild with excitement and could hardly sleep how many things she planned to say to him the next morning but when the she awoke the bird had flown when alone captain fairlie began to think he had done a very foolish thing to risk his chances of escape in that way W what hat did it signify what the girl thought she was such a headlong impulsive creature she would betray his secrets before she knew he wished sincerely rely he told her he was a fool indeed he got so provoked wit with himself that he sleep leep and tossed about planning ind and scheming at last he de I 1 te ter ami mined ned hed rise before the break of day and steal off better that than run any risk trying to keep aphis up his character well he was a fool it was still dark when fairlie arose dressed and taking his boots in his hand crept out of th the e house and made for the stables like all country places nothing was locked by the aid of a few matches he found where his saddle and bridle were and entering the stable took his horse from the stall and silently crept away he had gone many a mile when day broke perhaps it was best for him to go thus though he hated bated to sneak away traveling in the night was safer and how well his horse traveled he had pressed him a few days before and was not very well acquainted with him but it did seem that its gait had altered and was much faster day at last broke he had made a good trip he his eyes fell on his horse great goodness it w was as not his horse it was one of mr lanes L anes it was the thoroughbred lida lane rode oh horrors he had stolen the girls horse h 0 rs e what should he do he halted in the road and tried to consider he would go goback back yes and be taken prisoner no he would go forward and have lida lane think him a horse cheif all the rest ot of her life better a prisoner than that after much parleying parl eying he determined he would retrace his steps as fast as possible 0 and perhaps he would reach mr r lanes before the theft was discovered so he turned pushed his horse to a canter and started back well he had made a precious muddle of but he had traveled farther than he dreamed and the sun had risen when he came in sight of mr lanes house here all was astir john lane had arrived quite early and aroused the household he was a captain in ic the federal cavalry caval ry and had taken a hand in the fight with morgan his return made A a little stir especially as he brought a couple ot of comrades with him in stabling their horses the loss of pet was discovered and a little later capt fairlie was found missing consternation reigned mr lane told all he knew and john saw at once he had been duped so some rascally fellow playing off probably one of morgans men they are none too good natural born horse cheives the ives oh lida for john delighted to tease her alas lidas heart felt as if it would break was fairlie an impostor M S for A thief was he really one 01 cipo morgans M organs men and if so would he stoop to do so low a thing and her darlin darling pet took too tears rolled down her cheeks ca leks she could not bear johns rough banter and betook retook herself to the grove after satisfying herself that pet was indeed gone adjoining the pasture land back of the house was a deep wood she had not gone very far into it when what did she see but pet tearing over the grass field chinning wh inning in great glee As he spied her he came trotting up to the fence ence oh ob pet dear pet are you ou 1 really here in her joy she emba embraced ced his neck and kissed him on a little white spot in his bis face at which pet seemed well pleased sed how didlott get back I 1 my pet him said a voice and turning lida saw the disguised con federate standing looking at her from behind a tree you here yes miss lane I 1 brought the horse back I 1 really did not mean to take him let me explain and fairlie went on to tell why he left and why he returned and you risked your life or capture fo for r 10 your good opinion said he smi smiling lini she was overwhelmed take him she cried take the horse and go at once many thanks but I 1 won wont it put your patriotism to such a test I 1 wilt will hide bide in this wood today to day and get my own horse at dusk and be off let me bring you some breakfast ill take supper it you please you had better not be seen carrying fod it might arouse suspicions then ill show jou you a nice place to hide she led the way to a secluded spot and left him the return of pet and hard ridden at that caused much surmising among the lane household and john declared he smelt a rat but his mental ol factories did him no good in nosing out anything until dusk of the evening he noticed lida leaving the house with a covered basket in her hand silently he crept after her capt fairlie began hungrily to discuss the food before him while lida stood watching him in a nutter flutter of delight at the secrecy daring and romance generally of the affair john crept back to the house called his father and his two comrades and all well armed returned to capture their man you have been so kind to me I 1 shall never forget you fairlie said the giri irl smiled and blushed the man before her was young and handsome to her he seemed a hero and to think he would risk his life for her good opinion nor will I 1 forget you said she shyly perhaps when the cruel war is over we shall meet again heaven grant it but first let me get a away a my horse I 1 has as been turned into the pasture ive seen to that when its quite dark dai you can get hin him and ride away not much cried john rushing upon fairlie move out of the way lidah lida fairlie sprang to his feet but the other bother men threw themselves upon him and he was overpowered and captured quite a commotion ensued mr lane gave the prisoner a good piece of his mind for the trick he had played him john openly expressed his opinion that he be was a spy and ought to be hanged and his brethren echoed his sentiments lida wept and wrung her hands how came you here she asked her brother you showed me the way said john roughly fairlie was horror stricken the girl he had trusted that she should betray him he turned and gave her one reproachful ful look 1 I showed you cried lida stung by the look 1 U I but her father seized her arm and forced her away you have had too much your own way he said and will yet get me into trouble in pity to lidas tears john did not carry out his threat of hanging fairlie as a spy buthe but he was taken to the prison pen at F and locked up capt fairlie felt very sore about his capture now he blamed himself and now the girt girl tor for it but was never satisfied never mind where he laid the blame As misery loves company he was glad to meet among the prisoners tom bowen a abony friend frien of his from georgia and he could not keep from telling tom about his late scrape seems to me fairlie you were hard hit what do you mean if you been struck with the girl you have been such a fool as to go back with the horse why you leave it in some mans pasture and snatch a horse from him 1 I never thought of that of course not you were thinking of the girl and here is where she has landed you even if she betray you while fairlie was suffering the combined anguish of love and hunger lida lane had not been idle she had been cut to the soul by his suspicion of her complicity in his capture and was trying to devise a scheme scheie for his rescue when a week after fairries Fa irlies capture john lane was taken prisoner by a large band of morgans men as they were making their ways way out of the state this misfortune to her brother gave lida an excuse for acting she besieged gen S under whom john ohn served to lush use his influence to |