The Press., 1894-06-28

road as the gray horses iron shoes clashed along at a fearful pace.
 More than half of the distance had been covered when far in the rem came a command, loud and stern, Halt, or your blood be on your headP'
 "On, on, brave beast-on for your lifel Don't fail me nowY' cried Jennie, stroking the horses foaming neck with coaxing halfd.
 "Halt!'' again came the voice of dread. ''Halt, halt, or take the risk Cf losing your lifeP'
 No answer being returned, avolley of leaden bullets rattled after her. They passed her as the maddened flight con- tinued, screaming to the right, scream ing to the left, whizzing over her head like so many harmless birds seeking fo' shelter from the nights storm.
 With prayer of thanksgiving on he lips she rushed on over the slippery track, through wood and valley, over hill and plain, the gray horse as true as steel, until in an unlucky leap he stum- bled and fell, throwing his rider 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, but poor Jennie fared worse and rose with | a broken arm hanging useless by her side Regardless of the numbing pain, | she clung tenaciously to the horses bridle, and after quieting him by gentle words and batting 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 mane ''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, as if for final plunge; then, gal loping 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 gatepost, Jennie rushed up the path and without knocking flung open the colonel's door, crying in her eager haste: "Quick, be quick, colonel, I say Fly, fly for your life, for the rcd coats are at the door. Don t wait-you' 've not moment to spare. They come! They come! Away Awayp' And then 1 she tainted and sank to the floor.
 With nasty 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 dled for just such emergencies, he was soon on his way to where the patriot army was ill camp.
 The tramp of the troopers horses reused Jennie from her swoon, and as the angry men came rushing ill 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 I who frightened him from his nest. Do not harm his dear ones ill the home, but do With me as you think deserve. I only am to blame. ''
 ''You need not fear, my brave lass, :" said young Captain Long, lowing low. "Of all heroic women must crown you queen. Never before have I seen such courage ill one so young, and for your sake not a 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. I am sorry that my brave gray Jess did not carry you through without stumbling ill such an awkward fashion as to break your arm. He is usually sure footed, and the darkness and an un- | known road must aseo-.so- tfro- DfuIItteT. -r1e made up for the i'll luck after the fall, " suggested one of the troopers "I mean in speed, which of course could not restore the broken bone, fact we all regret" he added gallantly
 ''I do not mind that since my good friend, the colonel, is out of your pow CT, " 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! I should think you would be ashamed of your selves. '
 'War is war, my fair young miss, |" answered the captain, land 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 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 he marched away to the beat of the drum. promised to be true as steel to him, and as you two could never agree I 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 way 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 ill 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 a messenger to the little brown cottage with the informa- | tion that she would keep Jennie until