Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-09-28

For 1t was midwinter of 1S6S-that
clime-imposed rest in the grapple for
life, or death, of the blue and gray
giants, still watching in eager crouch on
either side of that world-noted river.
A moony haze that was not light, yet
doomed up objects of near distance in
gigantesque dimness, lay over the land;
and the east wind, sweeping across the
broad Potomac, paused an instant to
touch its lips to her cold waves, then
mounted the southern bank with new
chilled breath from the caress, to swirl
about the riders pressing onward In
seeming defiance Of its efforts.
An oddly-mated pair these were, for
time and place like this: A toll, 1.-THE
female form, clad in heavy riding habit
and cape Of coarse gray cloth, soldiers
soft slouched hat drawn close over the
brow, long gauntlets covering hands
that had firm, practiced grasp on the
reins that checked q powerful roam
horse; her companion q sturdy soldier,
seemingly, in the wrap of his gray over
coat, his slouched hat trailing q long
black plume, and high thigh boots, rest
ing lightly in long stirrups that swayed
to each stride of his black horse.
Had the light been stronger, and had
curious observer been a possibility on
such night, on that lonely trail of the
neutral ground in time of fragrant war,
the woman's face would have challenged
closer scrutiny. The clear-cut, high
bred features were lit by large gray
eyes, that glinted out watchful and res
olute; and the frm-set lips were full
curved, denoting sensitiveness as well
as character. Such curious observer,
too, might have noted that the rough
habit chung about figure not too full,
but of most symmetric curves; that the
gauntlets covered hands as long and
taper as they seemed firm and nervous;
that the heavy coils of ruddy-gold hair,
beneath the semi-military hat, shone
smooth and glossy, even in that wind.
For Carolyn Clay was one of those
women developed only by ''storm-and-
stress eras, such as the brothers war;
q beauty and petted belle, tickle, glib of
tongue, and light in dance; a very mis-
tress of society's sword-play, who could,
at need, rise to heights of heroism and
even do deeds to shame a soldier!
Good blood and proud - straight
coursed from veins of lordly settler on
virgin soil, named for the queen-was
that the night wind brought to Miss
Clay's cheek; and her lissome figure
could, upon OCCASION, straighten into a
hauteur as rigid as that becoming ''the
daughter of a hundred earls."
Washington and Baltimore, equally
with Virginia's capital and her noted
summer resorts of ante bellum, had
rung with the name of the brilliant
young girl, who had stood the social
campaigns of two preceding seasons
with never one reported repulse, far
less capitulation, yet had tied to her
chariot scores Of noted captives, 'rescue
or no rescue" Nor had the two years
of war known her less well, in the
gayeties of the capital, when winters
mud and snow babe even Bellona stay
her dreadful work; in the hospitals,
Understanding the path of summers
battle; even, it was said, in more than
one bold foray and perilous, in quest of
information or of much-needed medi-
cines, across the division river between
the warning sections.
Less marked in outer seeming, while
no less type, was her companion;
above his rough gray coat and coarse
brown shirt For Evan Fauntleroy,
like many another, had left the luxury
of the old homestead, to cast his lot as
private soldier under the guidon of
the ''Black Horse" Goodness in peril.
punctuated by two bad wounds before
his nineteenth birthday, had gained the
boy no higher promotion than favorite
scout to that blond-bearded cavalier
who was his idol, Jeb Stuart
1T is going to snow, Evan" the girl
said, abruptly. II have felt three stray
flakes strike my nose already. If it
should
eff it should, I'll order camp, Cousin
Caro-" the boy broke lin, with a laugh.
"You shan't get your little feet wet,
even; for l promised Gen. Jeb I'd see
you safe at the Ferry or never claim a
chevron! But it can't snow! U-ugh!
it's too deuced cold!' the youngster add
ed, throwing his cape higher about his
ears. Don't you mind it, Cousin Caro?"
mot bity' the girl responded, cheer
lily. 'But we seem to go so slowly! Oh,
Evan, If daybreak catch us before we
make the landing, what will do?
They expect me, over there; and it
miss this trip, there's no knowing aehen
l can get back. And poor little Fair
fax so needs morphia and quinine; and
many another, too. Capt. Charlton
warned me"
.'Capt. Charlton! He's a fine mentor,
too!" Fauntleroy broke in, with vicious
dig of spurs that sent the black ahead
with . great bound. "And he asked
the general for the honor of escorting
you to the feray'r' he added, pulling
the horse down to even stride again.
IA nice escort he'd be! Don't know
loot of the road; and if q Yank popped
a cap he'd be-"
.sYour superior officer still. Private
Fauntleroy," Carolyn Clay's voice cut
in, coldly. Discipline seems lax about
cavalry headquarters, to judge by the
way your tongue wags"
Eyes; he's my superior officer" he
sneered. 'sUm! woods full of such-su-
periors."
'.If discipline cannot, pray let court
esq curb your tongue. Capt Charlton Is
my friend" Miss Clay retorted, quietly.
"A" riah,. eoas I'm dumb" Evan