The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-04-04
like so many harmless birds seeking for
ehnltnr from tho nj 1xl, 10 cA<,.....


hill and plain, the gray horse as true as
steel, until in an unlucky leap he stun
bled and fell, throwing his rider with
force against rock on the edge of the
ditch over which he had tried to sprinr.
The foaning stced was unhurt and in
moment was on his feet again, but
poor jennie Jared worse and rose with
a broken arm hanging useless by her
side Regardless of the numbing pain,
sho chung tenaciously to the horses
bride, and after quoting him by gentle
words and patting him softly with her
able hand she managed to spring into
tho saddle and gave the brave fellow
free rein Nov do your best, - she said
coaxingly as she strokcd his long manc.
do your best, my good fellow, for
upon you depends the safety of my
friend, good Colonel Adair -
AS if understanding tho entrcaty. the
gray horse raised his head, and setting
his feet firmly gathered his strength once
moro, as if for n final plunge; then, gal
Looping down the steep hillside, he gained
on the troopers at every leap until he
paused Mt the colonel's gate fully fur
long ahead of the pursuers Throwing
the rein over the gatcpost, Jennie rushed
up the path and without knocking flung
open the colonel's door, crying in her
eager haste: "Quick, be quick, colonel,
Isay! Fly, fly for your life, for the red
coats are mt the door. Don't wait-you'vc
not u moment to spare. They come!
They come! Away Awayr' And then
She tainted and sank to the floor
With haSty goodby the colonel left
his bright fireside and rushed out into
the nights fearful storm, not, however,
until he had kissed tho pale brow of the
girl who had risked her own life to save
his
Springing OH his horse, always sad
died for just such emergencies, he was
soon on his way to where the patriot
army was in camp.
Tho tramp of the troopers horses
reused jennie from her swoon, and as
tho angry men camo rushing in she
turned her pale face toward them and
laughed, oven in the midst of a moan.
rs she said feebly:
Good sirs, your bird has flown, and
it was | who frightened him from his
nest. Do not harm his dear ones in the
home, but do with me as you think
deserve. l only am to blame "
You need not fear, my brave lass, -
said young Captain Long, bowling low.
'Of all heroic women | must crown YOU
queen Never before have seen such
courage III one SO young, and for Your
sake not Il hair of Colonel Adair's head
shall be harmed Even if he were here
Ill his quiet home this minute chivally
would forbid his capture in Your pres
encc. l am sorry that my brave gray
jess did not carry you through without
stumbling i'll such an awkward fashion
as to break your arm He is usually
sure footed, and the darkness and an un-
known road must excuse the blunder.' -
He made up for the i'll luck after the
fall, suggested one of the troopers. 81
mean i'll speed, which of course could
not restore the broken bone, fact we
all regret, " no added gallantly
Il do not mind that since my good
friend, tho colonel, is out of your pow
er, y said Jennie, trying to smile How
cruel i'll strong young men like you to
thy to harm an old mana gallant sol
der, too, like Colonel Adair! l should
think you would be ashamed of your
Selves
"War is war, my fair young miss"
answered the captain, "and nothing
that war demands can be called cruel.
This Colonel Adair is worth a whole
regiment of us, and the way you have
baifled us will prove great disappoint-
ment to our cause.
"Still honor you for your bravery
and loyalty to your friend, and if you
will wear this ring as token of my
admiration Twill come back and marry
you when the war is OVER
There's lad in Putnam's corps
who told me the same thing the morn
ing no marched away to the lAat of the
drum. promised to be true as steel to
him, and as You two could never agree
think You may keep your ring for some
pretty British maid who cares for you
moro than dc" was Jennic's reply.
The captain laughed as he slipped the
ring back on his little finger, and wav-
ing her goodby rushed out, mounted his
gray jess and was soon Gathering down
the rough road after his men. Regard
less of her broken arm, Jennie insisted
upon returning home that night, us her
mother would be III distress until she
knew she was safe But Mrs. Adair would
not suffer her to take this risk, knowing
as She did the danger to be incurred. In
stead she dispatched messenger to the
little brown cottage with the informa-
ton that she would keep Jennie until
morning, and being pretty much of
surgeon herself she set the broken arm
and made the young girl us comfortable
us possible until she could be removed
to her mothers home. At the close of
l. l.