Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-04-20

rather then diminished On, ON she
sped fro flying from the rocky road
as the gray horse shoes clashed
along at fearful pace.
More than half the distance had
been covered when far in the rear,
came a command, loud and stern,
HALT or your blood be on your
head?" "On, ON, brave beast On,
for your life Don't fail me now?"
cried Jennie, stroking the horses
toaming neck with coaxing hand.
Halt again came the voice Of
dread. "Halt, halt, or take the risk
Of losing your life!' No answer be-
ing returned, a volly of leaden bullets
ratified after her. They passed her as
the maddened flight continued, scream
ing to the right, screaming to the
left, whizzing over her head like SO
many harmless birds seeking for
shelter from the nights storm.
With prayer of thanksgiving on
her lips she rushed on over the slip
perry track, through wood and valley,
over hill and plain, the gray horse as
true as steel, until in an unlucky leap
he stumbled and fell, throwing his rid
VI with force against rock ON the edge
Of the ditch, over which he had tried
to spring
The foaming steed was unhurt, and
in a moment was on his feet again,
utp)or Jennie fared worse, and rose
with broken arm hanging useless by
her side. Regardless of the numbing
pain, she hung tenaciously to the
horses bride, and alter quieting him
BY gentle words and patting him soft
II with her able hand she managed to
spring again into the saddle and gave
,he brave fellow free rein. "Now.
= YOU best, she said coaxingly as she
Solsed his long mune, do your
Ssst, ihy good fellow, sor upon you
Depends the safety Of my friend, good
oG. Adair.
As if understanding the entreaty,
the gray horse raised his head, and
setting his feet firmly gathered his
strength once more, as if for final
plunge, then galIoping down the steep
lilside he gained on the troopers at
very leap, until he paused at the
solonel's gate, fully furlong ahead
# the pursuers. Throwing the rein
'yer the gate post, Jennie rushed up
he path, and without knocking flung
'pen the Colonel's door, crying in her
ager haste, "Quick, be quick, Colonel,
sayl Fly, fly for your life, for the
edcoats are the door. Don't wait,
'ou've not moment to spare. They
'ome they come Away away!" and
hen she tainted and sank to the
loor.
With hasty good-by the Colonel
eft his bright freside and rushed out
nto the nights fearful storm-not,
however, until he had kissed the pale
,row of the girl who had risked her
,wn hfe to save his.
Springing on his horse, always sad
He'd for just such emergencies, he was
oon on his way to where the patriot
Irmy was in camp.
The tramp of the trappers' horses
'oused Jennie from her swoon, and as
he angry men came rushing in she
urned her pale face towards them and
aughed, even in the midst of moan,
Is she said feebly
Good sirs, your bird is flown and
t was | who frightened him from his
lest. Do not harm his dear ones in
he home, but do with me as you
'link deserve. | only IN to blame. u
"You need not fear, m, brave lass, y
aid young Capt. Long, bowing low.
'Of all heroic women ] must crown
1ou queen. Never before have | seen
uch courage in one 50 young, and for
7our sake not hair of Col. Adair +
head shall be harmed. Even if he
we're here in his quiet home this min
lite, chivalry would forbid his capture
n your presence. l am sorry that my
'raye gray Jess did not carry YOU
through without stumbling in such an
lwkward fashion as to break your
'rm. He IS usually sure-footed, and
lie darkness and an unknown road
must excuse the blunder.
"He made up for the ill-luck after
he fall, suggested one of the troop
'rs Il mean in speed, which, of
'ourse, could not restore the broken
'one-a fact we all regret, he added,
Il do not mind that, since my good
nend, the Colonel, is ont of your
'ower' said Jennie trying to smile.
How cruel in strong young men like
iou to try and harm an old mana
Gallant soldier, too, like Col. Adair.
should think you would be ashamed
'f yourselves.
War is war, my fair young miss, "
answered the Captain, ''and nothing
nat war demands can be called cruel.
ms Col. Adair is worth whole reg