The Portland daily press., 1892-08-27

he added, with dei1gnGiul aSsurance'
ssIt's only a feint."
The legion trooper looked from girl
TO scout in profound amaze. Then he
said, bluntly:
ssYou certainly seem to keep well
posted at Stuart's headquarters.
ssWe certainly do. sir" Evan replied.
naturally. THAT'S Gen. Jeb's business.
The cavalry are the eyes of the array"
''But in Hampton's not even troop
captain knows thing; while you seem
to discuss"
discuss! You hear the lieutenant,
Cousin Caro?" Evan broke in with low
laugh. .sWhy, sir. would be eusrying
Private Fauntleroy's horse, at COM
pany's rope. one hour after l said I
think or 4 believe to the general.
He wants what we bsoso;; says 'Um-
umr sometimes; generally only points
to the tent door. The general was
regular, sir, and the scout that dis
cussed' with him would discuss tack the
next day, in place of headquarters lux
uries,-bacon and corn-pone.
.sAnd / only reason" Miss Clay came
to the rescue, 'sthat the general would
not have let me come, unwarned, had
he really looked for raid from the
river"
s'when did this scout Capers come in2"
the Carolinian asked, suddenly.
Yesterday at six, sir" Fauntacroy
answered,
ssAnd your pass is dated yesterday,
Miss Clay" Greene replied.
SCI got it at noon," the girl answered;
adding quickly. as though to avoid
shadow Of suspicion of her hero: "The
general YVES not in camp when we left.
He and his chief rode off with Capers an
hour after his return"
The snow was beginning to fall more
rapidly now,-though not yet a decided
storm. They came suddenly round a
bend in the road. one misty shadow
crossed the gray-gleaming haze before
them,-a sudden change of arns.-and
the officer spurred ahead as the chal-
lenge rang out Greene bent over his
horses neck, quickly replied to the SER
geant, and next moment the little party
was galloping by, the fakes falling
crisp and cold, but more rapidly now,
and Evan, soldier-like, again dropping
to the rear.
"What sort Of horse did General
Stuart ride?'' Greene asked, suddenly,
breaking silence.
ga heavy chestnut with white name
and TAIL Miss Clay answered.
s'And the chief of staff rode big
bay the Carolinian added. s'Those
horses were in front of Gen. Hampton's
tent when went for final instructions
from Col. Fraser this morning. Faunt-
leroy,''- turned in his saddle as the
scout drew up, speaking less fanhliarly,
and with authority in the tone, 50 half
mile beyond is my advance post. How
many miles further lies your Ferry ?''
''Seven, sir" the scout replied,
promptly.
Cum! not an hours spin. Keep your
eyes about you, then. There mag be
strangers on the road Miss Clay would
prefer not to meet"
''Au right, SIR" Evan replied, conf
IDENTIFY. eve both have good eyes,
know every foot of the road, and both
horses have good wind. We're as good
at running as at fighting, sir. But
thank you all the same"
And again the scout fell to the rear;
and the silence Of night was unbroken,
save by htful gusts of river wind that
cracked the 1eahess trees. So, for sew
eral minutes, the two dashed ahead,
the ground rising into higher bluffs,
and the road widening as the woods
opened more. And as the river wind
gained freer play about the chilled
riders 1t sent the snowfakes about their
heads softer, larger and Ia dizzier whirl,
coating the ground lightly, though not
enough to muHae the hoofs ringing in
unison on the hard clay.
'sPun up!" the officer cried, suddenly;
and, as the other horses fell into slow
canter at the command, he touched his
own with the spur and turned from the
open road into a clump of trees ON the
hilltop The quick ears behind him
caught the ring of arms brought to a
'sready," then quickly back TO a Garry"
as he reappeared.
ssThis ends my line,' - he said to Faun-
tleroy. ''But I'll ride a bit further with
you, Miss Clay, and take a look up the
road.'
On again in silence for one mile-two
three. Then the Csrolinian, with evil
dent reluctance, drew rein.
ssI can so no further, he said. "Good-
by, Miss Clay; and God speed your mis-
sion! I only hope I may be again on
picket when you come back with the
medicines and" he paused an instant,
adding, significantly - 'sthe news.
Good-by, Mr.. Fauntleroy, and good luck
to you!'' Then, with parting grasp of
the hand to each, the officer wheeled
his horse and galloped back, as the
venturesome cousins sped away, far be-
yond the confederate lines.
ITO BE Continued
Oscar Wilde's Little Joke.