The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-10


sued their way, recounted to them the r'tss de
glisrre by which she had accomplished their
release. s..sI rs
A few hours rapid travelling carried the
party to the outskirts of the little village OF
Carthage, where they all three were brought
to halt by the sharp hail of the sentry, who
called out the usual interrogatory:
"Who goes there?"
Friends Zera replied.
Halt and give the countersign!" was
the response in the tone of one accustomedto
his duty and meant to do it,
81 haven't got it; but call the corporal of
the guard and admit us"
The arrival of the latter ended their
troubles, and they were permitted to pass on
through the lines. A few moments more,
Zera and her companions flung themselves
from their horses in the center of the ranger
camp, and, darting into the central tent, Zera
was clasped in the arms of Bartrelle.
"Why, Zera dear, dear Zera, is ityou, back
again safe and sound? Are you sure it is
your"
"Yes, Richard, it is 1, in very flesh and
blood; but have a couple of attendants out
there both tired and hungry-see that they
are suitably quartered for the night"
"That will" and Bartrelle moved from
the tent to give such directions as would Sc
cure Zera's followers nights repose
"And now my dear girl tell me all. Did
You reach the city-did you learn anything of
importance, and did you see Laura?" and
Bartrelle blushed like a school boy as he men,
toned her name.
But blame him not Think of the woman
you yourself lore or have loved; fancy her, as
did he, in her moments of ravishing lowell
ness land Laura was always SOY and extenuate
his impotence.
! He had not seen her for some months.
Days of danger, nights of peril, had he past
| through since then. But deeply engrayen on
/ the tablets of his heart the impression of her
! beauty remained. He could never forget that
stately regal form; the raven hair profused and
! CLOSED; the almond eyes, with long dark
fringes, the pearl white teeth, and cheeks
tinted with damascene; the SOUL the spirit,
that united in imprinting on his heart the
memory of the Incompatible picture. And
| Zera commenced and related her adventures;
/ and first she told him of Laura, giving him
her letter to read, and when he had finished
this, and gloated over its love-it pages and
kissed the scented words that seemed to glow
and beam before him-she told him of the in
terview with the federal general-of the means
she adopted to secure it, and ended by laying
before him the maps and letters of explana-
ton that she had secured.
What" exclaimed Bartrelle, examining
the papers with feverish haste, "you don't
tell me you secured these papers"
elbow else would l come by them ?"
"True but Zera, this is fortunei The
possession of these papers are worth your
weight in gold-why, child, they are price
less;" and his fierce, blue eyes were wild with
establishment.
Whatever their value, Richard, they are
yours to do with as you like; but have lost,
or mislaid letter from your uncle to the gen.
eral. He assured me it related to business Of
importance, and its loss, l fear, will be of con-
sequence. What am 1 to do. surely started
with it."
"Oh, il is probably of but little value. Any
way, you can't help it J"
"No, but am sorry it is gone; but per.
haps left it at home p
"very probable!"
"WeI, I'll go to bed now and get some
rest" and the young girl lifted the curtain o.
the double tent, and leaping on the couch
was almost instantly asleep.
Wonderful wonderful" muttered Bar
trelle, 81 must place these papers at once il
the hands of the general-they are, indeed
priceless"