People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-02-03

ask one favor, sir2 My horse and are
old comrades" he added. with little
tremor in the voice. "Will you let the
sergeant put him out of pain?-No! not
that" He quickly threw up the car.
bine the sergeant leveled at signal
from the major. There's one ball left
in my pistol; and | think poor old Jeb
would rather go that way"
The stout-hearted scout turned his
face aside, and the rough sleeve passed
swiftly across his eyelids, as the federal
trooper sent the last confederate bullet
into the blacks brain.
Are you badly hurt?" the officer
asked.
"Past walking" Evan replied, with
quick-repressed grunt of pain, as he
again tried to bear weight on his left
foot. mo bones broken, | guess; but Q
pretty bad wrench"
Take him behind you, Dowd," the
major ordered. Were wasting time
And two stout pairs of arms raised the
captive, not urgently, and placed him
on the crup of the Irishman's horse.
Sergeant, send him back to head.
quarters. Detail Riley to guard him."
the major ordered, wheeling his horse.
san infantry support, Paddy" whis-
pered Evan, as he gripped the Irish.
mans waist.
"Hark! what's that?" muttered the
federal officer, suddenly checking his
horse and turning in saddle to listen.
"Platoon!-By right and left-as Skirm.
ishers-MARCH"
An instant more, the road was clear,
the slirting woods on either hand con.
cealing the little force, and each mans
carbine at ready"
For now, from southwark, plainly
sounded hoofs, at rapid trot; and soon
the jingle of accoutrements told of cav.
airy advancing. In rear of the last
trooper, Evan listened with bated
breath.
Could they be rebs? Were they
Yanks? Had Carolyn evaded them,
friends or foes? Manned, disarmed,
and closely watched by the surly man
who owed him a dismount, the chatting
captive could only listen and conjecture.
And nearer the horsemen trotted mer-
rily through the snow-now falling
heavily - and soon a dark shadow
doomed up in distance.
Challenge, sergeant" whispered the
major; and the troopers knees turned
his horse into the road, facing the in
truders, his carbine at dead aim.
Halt. Who goes there?"
Friends! With the countersign,"
came the answer. rs Maj. Conyers
there, Sergt. Greer?"
81 am here, Capt. Granger" the Off
Ger answered, riding out to his sub.
altern. What brings your scout on
this trail? You were to take the lower
road" he added, in lower voice.
I'VE heard firing hearaway, sir" the
younger soldier replied, in the same
tone. And, besides, we had a chase
after the best piece of horsefesh and
pluckiest piece of womanhood | have
struck in rebeldom. She cut my Shout
der strap with a bullet, in reply to chal-
lenge, then took to cover and led us
through the woods like born fox
hunter"
And you let a woman escape you?"
The old majors voice was very dry.
Not finally, sir. Her horse pumped
he must have been overridden-so we
hemmed her in at last Sergt. Flynn"
he added, louder, advance with your
prisoner"
And Carolyn Clay's horse was led to
the front, the girl sitting erect in sad
die, quiet, but pale, and with an ugly
CLEAN in her blue-gray eyes.
"Who are you, madam-or miss, I
presume% Maj. Conyers asked, saluting
courteously.
"A Virginian. A lady causelessly
chased and arrested while riding quiet
ly homeward," the girl answered, de-
family.
Virginia ladies seem to choose
strange hours for quiet rides" the old
major retorted, rather grimly. "Will
you give me your name, occupation and
residence, upon honor, if parole you?"
81 demand to be released uncondi-
tionally and permitted to proceed to my
home" Miss Clay answered, haughtily.
do you Yankee soldiers confess that
you war upon southern women?"
Perhaps; when southern women
shoot at us in their jocular way" the
veteran replied But we waste time,
madam. VIII you answer my ques-
tion?"
81 deny your right to question. / de-
mand to be released as non-combat-
ant" was the firm response.
"Non-combatants do not shoot in re-
ply to challenge, on lonely roads," the
major retorted, rather impatiently.
" va you answer, or not? What is your
name and what were you doing here
about with cavalry soldierP"
81 told you, majorl That's my cousin
from the farm" Evan began, only to be
cut off by the sergeant's stern call:
Silence in ranks! Riley, guard your
prisoner
But the quick woman's wit caught
the fact of her cousins capture, and his
cue, at the same time; and she folded
her arms quietly, remaining silent.
VERY well, madam" the major said.
u will send you to headquarters with
your cousin there, and let you discuss
military ethics with the general. Capt
Granger, detail one man of your SQUAD
m rd tbic LODI, o. ~