Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-10-12

who owed him dismount, the chains
captive could only listen and conjecture
And nearer the horsemen trotted mer
rly through the snow-now falling
heavily-and soon . 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. SIS Maj. Conyers
there, Sergt. Greer?"
Il 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
| Quickest piece of womanhood have
| struck in rebeldom. She cut my shout
der strap with bullet, in reply to chal-
lenge, then took to cover and led us
through the woods like a born fox
hunter"
And you let a woman escape your
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,
presume?" Maj. Conyers asked, saluting
courteously.
"A Virginian. A lady causelessly
chased and arrested while riding quiet
~ 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?"
II deny your right to question. de-
mand to be released as a non-combat-
ant" was the firm response.
''Non-combatantsd do not shoot in re-
ply to challenge, on lonely roads," the
major retorted, rather impatiently.
"WM you answer, or not? What is your
name, and what were you doing here
about with cavalry soldier?''
II told you, major! 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.
Every well, madam" the major said.
II 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
to guard this lady. Corporal Doyle, re-
port with both prisoners to provost
marshal at headquarters: the fires will
guide you to the river bank. Captain,
a word"
And soon Evan Fauntleroy and his
cousin were again riding side by side,
hopefully no longer, but he in
physical pain, and in greater mental
distress for her, she with gold-crowned
head dropped upon her breast, and tears
of mingled modification and despair
forcing their way between the long,
curved lashes.
CHAPTER Ill
NEW FOE WITH AN OLD FACE.
A slight, almost boyish figure, passing
to and fro with restless, tigerish move
ment, cut the red CLEAN of the smolder-