San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-02-09

| whispered, softly. YOU'RE all right,
but we must obey your nurse, old man."
And, white as her patient, Carolyn
Clay drew nearer, striving TO drop some
fluid in a glass But the hand that had
not trembled in all that weary vigil
now shook as she whispered, with quiv-
ering lips and averted face:
''Take this; you must not talk"
With a look that carried volumes of
words, the sick man obeyed, closed his
eyes, and, with a sigh of infinite con-
tent, yielded to the drug and slept
again.
Then, still not turning her face, the
wondering woman whispered:
"What does it all mean?'
Taking her hand, with all the defer
ence of the cavalier, Stuart led Miss
Clay to the open room adjoining. There
his story was briefly told. The dispatch
Evan brought across had saved fatal
surprise Before the dawn of battle
morning, as the confederates lay in
riflepits, waiting the attack, firing
was heard in front. Soon Fitzhugh
raced in, closely followed by federal
troopers. That day he was in the very
forefront of the fight. When the enemy
broke, Charlton's troop was first to
mount, in close pursuit; a rally, and
they broke in turn, leaving their cap
tain hemmed by hostile sabers. Like
lightning Fitzhugh cut his way to Charl-
ton, just as he fell pinioned by his
horse. Then Evan reached tho pair,
fighting on foot, just as Fitzhugh fell.
The boy sprang from saddle, threw the
wounded man across his horse, and
brought him safely in, under a very hail
of lead.
As she heard this terse, recital, the
woman's brain reeled; but will coereed
it to calm at it's close, and she gasped:
'But-all this fora spy"
"Yes-for mine!" Stuart's eyes, CLINT
ing as he recounted the fray, softened
to tenderness, as did his tone. "Peyton
Fitzhugh, my lifelong friend, was sent
abroad at my request on delicate mis-
sion. He scoud not stay. Service here
secret as desperate in peril-was
needed; and that grand fellow yonder
risked halter hourly-bore obloquy
and insult from both sides-to serve the
cause"
But your order? That SCARF"
Secrecy made the order imperative.
Thrice begged him to return, explain
and accept troop. He refused, until
/ found a better man to replace him
there. That scar was made by my
him on a lonely night
ride, when deemed far away"
and Capt. Charlton's story"
WAS one of the strange ones he tells
after country parties, Miss Clay"
Stuarts eyes were dancing in their
deep-blue depths again. But his gal
liant fight redeemed his gasconade, when
acted Joab to him and put him in the
front of the battle. But the council
meets in ten minutes. must go;
Marse Robert does not stand delay.
I'll come this evening, when your pa
TENTS cured"
His blue eyes were verify dancing a
reel, as the commander of all the cav
airy of the army of northern Virginia
Lees strong right hand" FLos Regum
Arthurus-ran down the stairs as light
ly as boy. And, bound to solemn
council with the president and corps
commanders as he was, his mellow bar
itone voice trolled out, not softly:
IF you want to have a good time Join the cav.
=, alryl'
With slow, quiet step Carolyn Clay
moved to the bedside once more, look
ing down long and earnestly upon the
face of the sleeper, now flushed with
healthier glow. Then, hiding her own
in clasped hands, she sank upon her
knees.
Presently the sun, peering through
the western window, FURNISHED the
girls hair to ruddiest gold, thence
touching softly the sick mans eyes.
Slowly they Enclosed, resting long
upon her, with equal doubt and yearn-
ing in them.
what day is it?' he asked, feebly.
New Year day" She rose, speaking
very low.
New Year! Twelve months ago
you"
"Hrshr she whispered. "You must
not taLk"
you gave your pledge" he went on,
feebly, "a pledge to trust me unto
death!''
81 remember it." She turned away
her face, her voice very tremulous, but
very sweet Spite of my will-spite Of
conscience-of everything. | kept that
pledge"
Weakly his hand crept towards hers,
resting there. And this New Year
you will give me-?"
Her grave, glorified face, softly glow
ing, was turned bravely to his:
81 will give you-myself!"
Gently, Loyalty, Carolyn Clay bent
down, and her lips touched softly the