Page 35 - Among the camps, or, Young people's stories of the war

T h e officer removed his hat. His keen eye xvas fixed on
her white face. Ji W e shall search the premises/1 he said
sternly, but more respectfully than he had yet spoken.
** Major, have the house thoroughly searched.”
T h e men went striding off, opening doors and looking
through the rooms. The General took a turn up and down

the hall. He walked up to a door.
" That is my chamber/’ said Mrs, Stafford, quickly.
The officer fell back, “ It must be searched/' he said,
" M y little children are asleep in there/* said Mrs. Staf­
ford, her face quite white.

“ It must be searched," repeated the General. “ Either
they must do it, or I. You can take your choice."
Mrs. Stafford made a gesture of assent. He opened the
door and stepped across the threshold. There he stopped.
His eye took in the scene. Charlie was lying in the little
trundle-bed in the corner, calm and peaceful, and by his side

was Evelyn, her little face looking like a flower lying in the
tangle of golden hair which fell over her pillow. The noise
disturbed her slightly, for she smiled suddenly, and muttered
something a b o u t S a n t a T la u s11 and a 11 dolly/’ The officer’s
gaze swept the room, and fell on the overcrowded stockings

hanging from the mantel. H e advanced to the fireplace and
examined the doll and trousers closely. With a curious ex­
pression on his face, he turned and walked out of the room,
closing the door softly behind him.
“ M ajor/’ he said to the officer in charge of the searching