Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-08-06


to headquarters, and Carolyn Clay-the
light of new life shining on her face
keeping her firm, elastic tread easily up
to that of the men.
AS they struck the rise to the near
plateau its long level was just touched
with rays Of the rising sun, and q mile
beyond they reached cavalry picket
The men were sitting close about q
roaring blaze or sleeping soundly on the
frozen ground, wrapped head and heel in
their blankets, like SO many mummies
laid foot foremost to the heat to thaw
the cold Of centuries out of them. For
the country was clear of any enemy for
many a mile, and no fear of q movement
came in such weather as this.
Surprise, quick query and rapid ex-
PLANTATION over, Evan turned to the leu
tenant in commands:
81 must get to headquarters the first
moment possible, Mr.. Barron. And 1
| would ask the best horse you can
| spare"
Dads the best, SO far as speed goes,
in this stage of forage" the officer an
swered. But you can take mine, il
he'll stand rider with that marvellous
costume. My relief comes soon after
sunrise, Miss Clay, and 1 can carry you
in then"
as there no chance of my getting a
horse?" the girl asked, pleadingly.
81 fear not, much as would like to
oblige you," he answered. IT am dis
mounting myself to send Fauntleroy in;
but that is duty"
"'Tis only a few hours more, Cousin
Caro-" Evan said. Anyway, you could
only hold me back or be left on the
| road"
Pardon my selfish impatience," the
| girl replied, quietly. "But, Evan, send
word to mamma by the very first courier
| to Richmond"
The boy gulped some Eteaming coffee
from tin cup; the horse was brought
from screening woods and saddled, and
as he was about to mount Miss Clay
whispered, warningly:
"Rememberl when you report to the
general, do not say too much. Tell him
prefer to report my own capture and
escape. You understand2''
81 suppose 1 do" the boy replied;
though comical look of bewilderment
| crossed his frank face, as he added:
"But I'll obey, all the same. Good-by,
Mr.. Barron; and thank you heartily,
sir. Good-by, Pete. Here, shake hands.
You're perfect paragon among boat
menu
'"Thank'ee, bossy, is, sholy," the
black answered, gravely. 81 wor
fetched up dat way, from de nuss."
And the hard hand he withdrew from
the boys friendly grasp held one Of
Peyton Fitzhugh's crisp greenbacls.
"Good-by, Caro-, you dear, brave girl!
| You ought to be a man." The old vein
dominated the reckless boy even then;
for he bent from saddle to whisper low:
Given though Capt. Charlton would not
think sou
BE touched the spur, ganoping
through the familiar woods towards
Stuart's camp, and the CHEEKY notes of
"dinner-call" were ringing from the
bugle as he halted at the guard-house.
Briefly reporting to the officer Of the
day, the scout sought the generals
tent.
The great cavalry leader was pacing
to and fro in the sunshine, his plumed
felt hat drawn down over the high,
broad forehead. But the wavy brown
hair escaping beneath the hat, and the
huge, curly brown beard, were jauntily
combed, the great mustache twisted
away from it in massive curves Freez-
ing cold as was the day, Gen. Stuart
wore no overcoat; and his double
breasted jacket, though carefully but
toned back, swung wide open over the
brown shirt that covered his broad,
deep chest. Well-worn corduroy riding
breeches, ending in heavy knee-boots,
: and long, strong gauntlets. completed
his simple attire.
From within the tent came the jocund
stunning Of well-managed banjo;
l
as he turned from some jest to the
player. 1t showed the strong white
teeth cleaning under the mustache;
and his merry, bluest eyes, filed with
sparkling fun, softened into kindly
warmth as he exclaimed:
'Fauntleroyl or his ghost dressed fo1
Sundayl Why, boy, we thought you
were in prisonl''
ST was, SIR" the scout answered
"But I'm out now, and come with i'm
portant information"
Important? Out with it, thenY
The laugh in the blue eyes quickly
faded into gravity, as the genera
turned towards the tent.
BEG pardon, sir, but was instructed
to hand you this paper-0lone," Evar
said, very timidly for him. "And whe1
you open it, general, I suppose you'll
order me in arrest, for disobedience O
orders
From his shirt pocket the boy drew
small, thin packet, securely tied with
silk and the knots sealed with wax, it
only superscription being: Destroy, i
close pressed"
"Why, there's no one but Sweeny In
:. side," Stuart said, taking the lette
carelessly; but the instant his eyes fel
upon the writing his brows contracted
l. and he slipped the paper into his glove
as he called:
q "Come out, Sweeney. Dinner cal
sounded"
@ Then, as the generals banjo playe
o passed, staring at the scouts strang
|, clothes, the chief beclxoned him into tn
r tent, dropped the fly, and turned ful