The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-01-09

one. She turned on me for an instant
with hurt, wounded eyes, and saw that
my shaft had struck home. She was
kinder than ever to Whitcomb after
that, and when we all left week later
she wore handsome diamond ring, and
it was currently reported that they were
engaged.
'No doubt she lives in elegance now
| in her New Orleans home, and is able to
I crafty every wish of her worldly heart.
A humble home with one she loved and
who loved her would be nothing to
woman like that, " he added, bitterly.
"Such home and such a love as you
could have offered her." thought his
friend. "And did you never ask whether
they were really married or noti" he
asked.
why should II" answered the officer,
wearily. sit is something I've tried
] Ali have you heard" he interrupted
himself hastily, "that the Washington
Artillery has been ordered to our relief,
and that Whitcomb is in commando 2
Hence these tears, or rather this retro.
spect of two years agone."
"Are they neededf'
Great heavensl Edwin, has no one
told you that we are in desperate
strait The bridge is burned before us,
the enemy is at our backs, and unless
we escape by some ford to night we shall
be attacked in the morning and com
| pletely overcome. At Iine o'clock,
which is near, am to meet at this house
"a friend so the note is signed-who
is to show me the way to the ford 1t
| was courageous offer too, for much of
| the tronly : 30 l.. Al.
enemy's fire. But it is time for prepare.
tion, and | must say goodbye. God be
with you, dear friend; | will write you
In few days if we are rescued from this
snare" And with hearty hand-shake
he was gone.
A figure on horseback stood at the
gate. ''ls this the guide?" asked Cap
tain Trevor, as he advanced.
1T is" was the reply in woman's
sweet, low voice.
There is some mistake" cried the
young man in surprise.
No, there is no mistake" the lady
replied. 81 came for this purpose from
my fathers plantation, three miles below
and near the ford, this afternoon, and
have only been waiting until the hour
arrived"
1oW ulu you reacn nefeF
u made detour through the woods
on the south side of the stream, and
crossed to this point in skiff"
did you come alonel"
"1es, for / could not trust the SER
wants in such a case, and my father and
brothers are in the army. No one knows
nf my intention but yourself and my
friend"
'FIhen l beg of you, madam, to give
me directions as clearly as you can, and
turn back at once TO the home of your
friend. 1t is more than possible that the
path lies near the line of the enemy's
picket. | could not think of permitting
you to accompany me-"
"And ], y she answered firmly, 'scould
think of nothing that would induce me
to return"
Ali that sweet, tantalizing voice,
where had he heard it before?
"We must start, " she said 'Follow
me closely, Should l fall, plsh on as
best you an until you see a large house
well lighted. The ford is near. Should
you fall, with a break in the soft tones.
~ will turn back to the camp and guide
another"
What a brave, unselish spirit this was
What intrepidity was shrined in this
weak woman's form!
Br, athlessly and in silence they trav-
ersed the threatened path. The dark
river rolled at one side of them; on the
other, any bush or tree might hold
lurking foe. The night was dark and
still. Zach sound could be heard with
startling dlstnctnoSs. Suddenly voice
quite near cried out: "Who goes therel"
The two urged their horses wildly for
ward, and bullet whiz2ed past ia the I.
air, then another, and another, bat now
they were at last out of range.
Are you hurtm asked Captain Tre-
voir, with trembling anxiety, as they
slackened moment their pace.
notm
"You should never have subjected .
yourself to such terrible possibilities" .
he answered, almost anSrily.
81 was not thinking of myself" she
said.
More than a mile of the winding,
danger-beset path had been passed, and
the worst would soon be over. But
scarcely had Captain Trevor and his
guide started on the second mile when
again the command "Halt!" was heard,
and so near that they could dmly dis.
Germ the figure of a man but six feet
away. Again they urged their horses
forward. Again came the singing bull
let, but this time it found mark, and
its course was followed by a groan.
"lou are hurtn cried the Young Off
Ger, in gravest solicitude.
''My right arm is slightly wounded;
l will guide the horse with my left.p
the lady replied. "But for heavens
sake letus push ont"
oh, the agony of the next few mo.
ments for the wounded guide! How
hard to throw off the deadly faintness
which threatened each moment to over
whelm her She heard as in a dream the
words, "We are safe at last" when the
lighted house came into view; then
knew no more until she awoke to ind
her head, with its mass of soft, loosened
hair, pillowed on the young officers
breast. He held her tenderly, and
guided his horse as best he might.
"You can turn back now, " she said,
rousing herself; ''the ford is near, and
though the way has been tortuous, YOU
,an surely find it again. l will keep the
Tres in the house blazing, and when you
arrive with your troops, guide will con
duct you to the ford"