Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-01-26

by Special ArranEement.I
CHAPTER I.-COETINUED.
t~And only reason Miss Clay came
to the rescue, that the general would
not have let me come, unwarned, had
he really looked for raid from the
river
when did this scout Capcrs come imp"
the Carolinian asked, suddenly.
Yesterday at six, sir," Fauntleroy
answered
-.And your pass is dated yesterday,
Miss Clay Greene replied.
Il got it at noon the girl answered;
adding quickly, as though to avoid
shadow OF suspicion of her hero: The
general was not in camp when we left.
He and his chief rode off with Capers an
hour after his return.
The snow was beginning tc fall more
rapidly now,-though not yet decided
storm. They came suddenly round
bend in the road; one misty shadow
crossed the gray-gleaming haze before
thern,-a sudden change of arns,-and
the officer spurred ahead as the chal-
1enge rang out. Greene bent over his
horses neck, quickly replied to the SER
geant, and next moment the little party
was galloping by, the flakes falling
crisp and cold, but more rapidly now,
and Evan, so1dier-lilze, again dropping
TO the rear.
What sort of horse did General
Stuart ride?'' Greene asked, suddenly,
breaking silence.
"a heavy chestnut with white name
ard tall" Miss Clay answered.
"And the chief of staff rode a big
bay" the Carolinian added. ''Those
L
tent when 1 went for final instructions
from Col Fraser this morning. Faunt-
leroy, he turned in his saddle as the
scout drew up, speaking less Familiarity,
and with authority in the tone, ''a half
mile beyond is my advance post. How
many miles further lies your Ferry ?''
Seven, SIR the scout replied,
promptly.
I'm! not an hours spin. Keep your
eyes about you, then. There mag be
strangers on the road Miss Clay would
prefer not to meet
IDENTIFY. 1--WE 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
y And again the scout fell to the rear;
and the silence of night was unbrolzen,
save by itful gusts of river wind that
cracked the leafiess 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 it sent the snOwf1alxeS about their
heads softer, larger and in dizZier whirl,
coating the ground lightly, though not
enough to mufiie the hoOfs ringing in
nnison on the hard clay.
Pull 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
ready" then quickly back to a carry
as he reappeared.
This ends my 1ine,' he said TO Fam
tleroy. But I'll ride bit further with
you, Miss Clay, and take look up the
road"
On AGAIN in silence for one mile-two
three. Then the Carolinian, with evil
dent reluctance, drew rein.
II can go no further" he said. Good
by, Miss Clay: and God speed your mis-
sionl 1 only hope / may be again on
picket when you come back with the
medicines and" he paused an instant,
adding, significantly ''the news.
Good-by, Mr.. Fauntleroy, and good luck
to your Then, with parting grasp of
the hand to each, the officer wheeled
his horse and galloped back, as the
ventyresome cousins sped away, far be-
,yord the confederate lines.