The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-11-30

rlSk OI losing WudU Blrl ike you COulQ
never drcaml A moment more, the
relief CONFESS and all is lost; for / swear
loiH not leave this hut alone No; do not
answer: there is no time II your own
honor is rlsked, = il your mothers
heart is broken,-if little Fairfax dies
for want of remedies his prideful sister
might have won him,-then call God
to witness that the sin is on your
headp'
The woman's bosom rose and fell;
words rushing to her lips died upon
them; she heard her own heart beating
thunderous in her throat.
Come! For the sake Of all dear to
you,-cause, mother, brother,-comer
the man pleaded. "Vile, despicable as
l am in your eyes, let me atone in part,
by saving you-and Fairfax"
The sob so close to Carolyn Clay's
lips burst, through them. great joy
cleaned in the deep eyes of the traitor
Virginian; and again-with observation
piteous in its meelsness--he held ont his
hand.
With bowed head, but quick gesture
of dissent, the woman withdrew her
own, half extended to take it; but she
pointed to the door, without word.
Into the binding drifts of snow,
whirling and eddying now in the colder
wind, passed those two, he carefully
closing the door, to hide all CLEAN from
within. A few PAGES through the soft
white carpet, then the woman drew
back shivering, with what had been a
cry, but for his warning hand upon her
arm.
my God! You killed -"
"'Sh! Mol Carolyn, are you childP"
Fitzhugh whispered. Zone sound, and
they are upon u.s. Be woman Remem-
ber-Fairfaxv"
Again on, swiftly and noiselessly, to
the skirt of woods, into its heart,
through crisp, snow-clad underbrush,
out into the open, hundred yards be-
yond. There stood noble horse sad
died but untethered, cavalry blanket
wound about the pommel TO form la
dy's seat.
As Fitzhugh approached, the brute
reared his muzzle, about to whinney,
but was silent at his masters quick
touch. 800, boy! Steady, Custerl"
He turned to the girl, who started in
stinctively at the name. THAT is his
name; you must use it, for he knows no
other. Nor does he know whip or need
spur. Speak to him as you were his
mistress, and he will carry you to safe
ty and-freedom! Let him have his
head-he knows every foot Of road
until day breaks Then you should be
at Scruggs' farm. Take the left fork
there. An hours gallop should bring
you to Rosser's advance, Col. Randolph
in command. They are moving straight
for Harper's Ferry to cut us off. They
are in our rear"-he hesitated an in
slant, speaking very slowly, as the girl
stared blankly at him. "You under
stand; they are in our rear; and the
general tciR not strike them at BeclSley's
Cross-Roads this morning as he expects.
Now mount"
The mans tone had changed from
that he had used In the hut. Perfectly
respectful, he yet spoke in voice Of
command that swayed tho woman
with sense Of power.
He held out his hand. Without hesi-
tation she placed her foot In II, and was
lifted lightly TO saddle, the reins easy
In her firm grasp, her foot In the
thoughtfully shortened stirrup.
he 10, l. L. L.. L.. L.
binding, driving snow, speaking with
quiet Difference her lover lords had
never used to Britain's virgin queen:
"You understand, Miss Clay; let Gus
ter go his own way until you strike
Scruggs'. Then the left fork and Ros-
ser's advance" He paused, listening
intently. mo time to lose: hear dis
tant change Of arms. The relief Is out.
God speed you and save-your boyp'
The woman sat motionless, wordless,
as though she were In o dream and
feared to wake and find 1t so. Suddenly
she broke down, with a great effort half
sobbing:
"0hi Irshould-thank- Obi if"
"Hushl" he answered, softly, but with
a great tremor in his voice; and his
hand, involuntarily stretched towards
her, changed its direction and stroked
caressingly the tense, wet neck of the
horse, that rubbed its muzzle softly on
his shoulder.
Then he turned away,-hesitated,-
spoke:
"Godl girl, do not tempt me-even
for sake of youi-to say what / should
not-must noU Go, Carolynl gol War
Is uncertain-my life in unusual peril.
II you hear | have died the spy's death,
pray for the soul you believe false to
everything, the soul that God in Heaven,
looking on us now, knows true"-a half
sob bore the words-to youi"
The clank Of arms came family on
the wind. At his touch the horse
moved softly on into the snowy road,
the man standing still, with barred head
and eyes upraised. Then, when the
whirling eddies hid the rider from his
sight. that bold rider, that reckless sol
der, that traitor Virginian, fell upon
his lrnees and dropped his face In his
clasped hands
Soon he rose, with gesture Of defiance
to the now clear-sounding arms, turned
into the denser woods and strobe rapid
ly away.
Five minutes later the relief reached
the extra post ut the hut. No sentry
challenged; and the lank New England
sergeant. advancing warily. stumbled
over the prostrate trooper, conscious,