, 1889-09-26

to h.eu NV buNo given MS COM
through.
So the fall of'62 camo and Helen.
with sore heart, waited.
She had heard that Federal forces
were at Nashville. Was he among
thcm?, Who could tell herr Did he
,hink ner q rebel like the rcstr How
shoould he know othcrwisc
The girls cheek palcd, and the dark
eyes grew larger under slccpless nights
and restless days. Nothing but the
iong hours spent on Sclim, her match
less saddle-hourse and pct, kept strength
anI courage, from deserving her.
Early IN November tho bloody batllc
Fcdcrals took Murfrcesboro. The Com
iedcratcs rctrcnted to Duck river, where
formidable intrenchmcnts were con-
structcd, with moro at Tullnhoma
bringing forces near to Winchester only
twenty miles from their plantation
where Helen and her mother were stay
ing.
treat over the Cumberland m0untainsto
Chattanooga.
II was almost Il year later and Jackson
Royce had been slightly wounded In Il
skirm.sh, and 1t was with no little joy
he welcomed his sisters arrival at their
Chattanooga home.
There had always been deep and
tender love between the brother and sis
ter that hud never been disturbed until
these last stormy months. a family of
wealth and refinement, the Royces had
always stood among the first in South
ern society. They owned numerous
plantations, but most of the time was
spent In their beautiful city home.
Helen had been hardly old enough to
s.t t,,,t -
tho war the girl had grown rapidly older.
A noble nature always natures In trou-
BILE; II Is only petty one that becomes
childish. Ii hardly seemed possible. that
pale, calm featured girl at the head of
the table--for her mother is confirmed
invalid now--couId ut just have passed.
her cighte nth birthday.
Jackson Royce had risen rapidly,
though "a young man, until he was now
one OF Bragg's most trusted officers. 1t
was the LIST of September, the weather
had been exceedingly hot and dry and the
long French windows of the dining-room
at Laurel Hill were thrown wide open.
IL was u typical Southern night, warm
and still, a nightingale was pouring out
his little soul in music from the dense
covert of magnolia tree across the
lawn.
Helen Royce was seated on the wide
veranda her hands claspcd idly In her
lap, watching the silvercrcscent ofa new
moon as it rested for moment on the
crest of old lookout mountain" and
then sank slowly Gown.
She was repeating half uncon scicusly
TO herself the old lines, "New moon, true
moon, tell unto me, when suddenly she
stopped and her eyes filled with tears.
At that moment she caught sound of
her brothers voice In the dining-room,
saying excitedly, "Yes. am well enough
to go, but there are otiers--send them.
You know have given most of my
fortune, and l have sworn to give even
my life If II Is necessary, but cannot
cannot be the means of taking the life of
my old school-matc, one whom | loved
who was almost n brother to me-"
Helen was leaning forward with face
and parted lips, her hand grasping the
arm of the chair tightly as IL for controls
she knew only to well who was meant.
Her one thought, "Slie must hear all and
save him.
The commanders voice rose now in
calm, even tones. You speak TOO
strongly, Royce; 1t is not his life but
his person we are talking about
1T is one" broke In Royce despair
ingly.
you to 60; YOU can the more easily get
possession OF his person without danger
TO his life. And no one knows the road
like you. 1t will be ticklish job, ms
flarding has three men with him, and
most likely will make desperate fight
,ather than be taken. can hardly
blame you If you do not wish to under
take IT,"
The more dangerous the better"
answered Royce In quiet despair. THAT
may lose my life before take his is
my only wish"
~ hardly know, after ALL" continued
his superior in II hesitating tone, "as it
Is best, Perhaps someone else can be
''Do you fear to trust me?" demanded
the young man In savage sarcasm. "lf
go, go as soldier and not as a
man."
VERY WE'LL" interrupted the other
without taking notice of his tone.
Then followed directions.
1t seemed Harding was in hiding in
the neighborhood to get what intorma-
ton he could regarding the Confederate
fortiiications and plans.
Helen waited until she heard her
brother say: ~ will start in an hour
then thinking all she could need to
know was told, she slipped quietly from
the porch and sped swiftly over the
dewy grass, to turn, in u moment, and
come saunteriDg slowly Up the walk to
tie housc' s'opPilS W PICK UrlilcH Ol
roses that hung, heavy with dew, by tic
path. Reaching the porch, she passed
directly into the room where the two
men were sitting, jackson pale and ex-
cited, the other calmly gathering up the
maps and papers with which the table
was covered. Her palid lips were hid
den by the fragrant roses, but she
smiled brightly as she said, why, col.
oncl, how is IL you lose all this beaud-
full night?" ~ have been out enjoying
It," "By the way, think your orderly
has arrived, | heard a trampling OF
horses at the foot of the lawn"
Indeed is that so, Miss Helen?" ''The
idiots will arouse the country why did
they come so soonY' excuse me and
the colonel hurried out on TO the
lawn. jackson had already left the room
and Helen was alone. The maps and
papers still strewed the table, and bold
idea entered the girls mind. Here was
information such as could not be gained
by Hurding in weeks of toll and danger
She would give Chattanooga to the
Union and save her lovers life ut the
same time.
Snatchng up map of the city and its
outworks, She flew from the room, licr
heart beating wildly,
She had but one idea: Dwight Hard
ing was in danger and She was going to
save him."
Reaching her own room, she rang the
bell and called old 'Lijah, the steward
and general factotum, To her. 'I.ijali,
can | trust you?" demanded the girl,
with face pale and eyes strangely lumin-
Gus.
'I.or' Miss Halle, how you looks!
Can you trust ole Iijah2 IInin't desc