Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-01-31

bitter cold and the moon Is dark tonight.
She shudders little as she steals out upon
the graveled walk and draws the cloak closer
about her. There under a tree stand three
horses, and her heart almost fails her as she
thinks of what will happen if her project
fails. Courage, courage" she murmurs, as
she creeps across the lawn to the shadow of
the trees The men had not dared bring the
horses nearer the house for fear of being
heard and so disturbing their prey. and this
circumstance is favorable one for her. She
knows there is not horse upon the place. all
Of Mrs. Thornton's having been sent as Offer
ings at the shrine of Mars, and if she can
steal away the ones on which they came they
are prisoners as well as Maj. Merriman-or
more; for Archie's regiment goes by in the
morning, and then
She has unfastened the bride that binds
the one horse to the tree and to her joy finds
that the other two are tied to it, With one
bound she has swung herself upon it, and,
with quick, firm ''Gee" starts off upon her
ride. Gently over the springy turf, upon
whose vernal bosom no equine foot has ever
trod before Gently until she reaches the
great gate at its farther end, then out upon
the road and on into the darkness. Faster
and faster now she goes, listening sometimes
lOT SOuuuS VI puISu1U, duU, utdLluR uOtuluS,
going faster still. On, on, until she fancies
the wind is blowing gale, but it is only the
still air resisting her face as she dashes
through. On, while the cypress boughs flap
in her face and the horses stumble over rocks
and bitches. On, on, until rider and horses
fall together in heap, and do not move
She is only bruised, however, and scrambles
out as the horses stagger to their feet and
pant and whinny low.
They are so tired, it is not hard to calm
and make them quiet, and rider and horses
lie down to rest. And now she thinks of
what she has done and wonders what they
are doing at home. 1t must have been nearly
midnight when she started out, and now she
fancies she can see streak Of dawn over to
the east. But her eyes are Pickering so she
cannot be certain, and can only draw the
cloak close, close about her and shiver and
try to think. Everything about her is reel
ing the trees are whirling past and round
and round and she herself joins in this mad
dening dance, fast, round and round and up
and down, until she closes her eyes and shuts
this phantasm out.
Perhaps she has been unconscious or per-
haps she has slept, for when she opens her
ewes it is lighter and the horses are grazing
quietly beside her. And now to her con-
seriousness there seem to come along the
ground faint tremorings, and putting her
ear down she can hear the measured tramp
of many feet. She cries out joyfully and
tries to rise, but sinks back with groan and
cries softly.
ooh, this is terrible; this will never do!
cannot stay heren And then her eyes grow
fixed as she thinks, 'have I been wise?" for
the thought has come that perhaps Archie
has had to walk it to the northern camp in
the cold, all through her having robbed them
of their horses. The southern army is com
ing, and these men, she thinks, would not
stay. Any means would be used to return to
their friends and she knows they would not
return alone "What to do, what to dos''
Never mind the pain; there will be time
enough for self indulgence later. Archie
must be savedl That is the one idea that is
dear, and swinging herself upon the horse
once more and crying with the pain each
movement causes, rides back upon the way
She must see what her action has done, and
if it has not helped him she will at least be
at home when his regiment arrives. Slowly,
slowly, step by step, they retrace the narrow
path and she has just the strength left te
hold and guide the patient animal on which
she rides; nor does she blush nor think it is
unseemly that the saddle is mans.
Back under the dropping cypress bows and
over the stones and through the bitches
while behind her, nearer and nearer, comes
the friendly army. Only another mile to &c
now, and she can distinctly hear the tramp
tramp, tramp of the feet coming to her OIL
the fresh, crisp morning air. 1t sends new
life into her heart and makes her forget the
pain of her poor little cold, bruised body
and she spurs the horses on to gallop. Or
again till she sees the broad park gate and
two men Fastening toward her in dark blue
regimentals.
s'Saved, thank God!" and her heart is SC
glad she forgives her lovers enemies. Spring
ing to the ground she dashes silver pin int
the horses flank and cries out through hel
hands: ely for your lives, the Confederate
army is coming!" and points down the road
where the first ray of sunlight plays along 6
line of muskets.
sFly!" and they catch the fleeing horses
and the air brings to her the sound of 6
curse as they dasf away.
And now Archie is beside her, and Archie
holding her in his arms and kissing her ano
calling her his brave darling; and Archie
is carrying her to the house and Mrs. Thorn
ton comes out and helps him, and together
they bring her back to life, for she has
tainted.
ssMargareta, how could you do thats II
was brave, noble-it was grand!"
SIT was for Archie" she says and looks
into his eyes. And Mrs. Thornton joins
their hands and says: God bless you BOTH
And they are happy.-Ralph Lee Stuart
In New Orleans Picayune.