Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-07-27

i a--a a- e. 49,
ike SO many harmless birds seeking for
shelter from the nights etorm.
With n prayer OF thanksgiving OH her
lips she rushed on over the slippery
track, through wool and valley over
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
hitch over which he had tried to spring.
The foaming stcod was unhurt and in
moment was ON his feet again, but
poor Jennie Jared worse and rose with
broken arm hanging useless by her
side. Regardless Of the numbing pain,
bhe clung tenaciously to the horses
bride, and after quieting him by gentle
words and patting him softly with her
able hand she managed to spring into
the saddle and gave the brave fellow
free rein. "Now do your best, " she said
coaxingly as she stroked his long name.
'Do your best, my good fellow, for
upon you depends the safety of my
friend, good Colonel Adair. "
AS if understanding the entreaty, the
gray horse raised his head, and setting
his feet firmly gathered his strength once
more, rs if for a final plunge; then, gal.
Looping down the steep hillside, he gained
on the troopers at every leap until he
paused at the colonel's gate fully fur.
long ahead of the pursuers. Throwing
the rein over the gttepost, jennie rushed
up the path and without knocking flung
open the colonel's door. crying in her
eager haste: "Quicl, be quick, colonel,
sayi Fly, fly for your life, for the red
coats are at the door. Don't wait-you'ye ye
not moment to spare. They comet
They comet Away Awayp' And then
she tainted and sank to the floor.
With a hasty goodby the colonel left
his bright fireside and rushed out into
the nights fearful storm, not, however,
until he had kissed the pale brow Of the
girl who had risked her own life to save
his.
Springing on his horse, always sad
died for just such emergencies, he was
soon on his way to where the patriot
army was in camp
The tramp of the troopers horses
reused Jennie from her swoon, and as
the angry men came rushing in she
turned her pale face toward them and
laughed, even in the midst of a moan,
as she said feebly:
Good sirs, your bird has flown, and
it was l who frightened him from his
nest. Do not harm his dear ones in the
home, but do with me as you think
deserve. 1 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 l seen such
courage i'll one SO young, and for your
sake not hair of Colonel Adair's head
shall be harmed. Even if he were here
in his quiet home this minute chivalry
would forbid his capture in your pres
ence l am sorry that my brave gray
Jess did not carry you through without
stumbling in such an awkward fashion
rs 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 ill luck after the
fall, suggested one of the troopers 81
mean in speed, which of course could
not restore the broken bone, fact we
all regret, he added gallantly.
81 do not mind that since my good
friend, the colonel is out Of your pow
er, said Jennie, trying to smile. "How
cruel in strong young men like you to
try to harm an old mana gallant SOL
dier, too, like Colonel Adair! 1 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 whole
regiment of us, and the way you have
baffied 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 / will come back and marry
you when the war is over.
There's a lad in Putnam's corps
who told me the same thing the morn
ing he marched away to the beat of the
drum. l 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
more than do" was Jennie'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 clattering down
the rough road after his men. Regard
less of her broken arm, Jennie insisted |
upon returning home that night, as her
mother would be in distress until she /
knew she was safe. But Mrs. Adair would |
not suffer her to take this risk, knowing |
rs she did the danger to be incurred In
stead she dispatched messenger to the
little brown cottage with the informa-
5ion that she would keep Jennie until
and being pretty much of a
surgeon herself she set the broken arm
and made the young girl as comfortable
rs possible until she could be removed
70 her mothers home At the close Of
.he war Jennie gave her hand and her
leart as we'll into the keeping of the lad
who had marched away with Putnam's
,orps, and she lived to relate her expe- |