Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-15

road, and regarding him sternly order ed him to halt.
 "Oi'm followin the young lady, ir. Oi'm on official business for the zine, al, com mandin the --th cavalry bri. gade''
 "Well, my man, you're a well dis ciplined orderly. You keep the reg ula- tion 40 paces to the rear. Give .Sour horse the spur and catch up" "
 Ratigan, who could not well explain to an officer that he was running a race, and fearing to lose his ;harge, gave his horse the spur and dash sd after her . Gallop. He reached her in blown" condition.
 "Oi've lost," he cried out of breath
 Reckon you have. " was Miss Baggs' sole reply.
 "The moneys yours.
 Reckon it air, rer eated Miss Bags
 "Yer always reckonin. Mebbe ye reckoned about the end of the race loike the ant ye werc talkin a qt."
 At that moment they s.2ied the out post ahead.
 "Waal. hyar we air. said Miss Baggs. Don't want ter part from you uns, MT. Sojer. I'm powerful bad struck hyar' And she, put her hand on her heart.
 Like enough Oi car. find some reason to go with ye bit. Oi m all broken up meself, sure enough"
 "I hopes you kin. "
 lieutenant, " said he corporal, sa- luting an officer who cai no out from the picket post. Major Br .rke ordered me to sec this young lady ut of the lines, She has pass to Dunlap"
 The lieutenant read tt le pass and told Miss Baggs she might gc' through.
 Ratigan was racking his brains to know what to do. He ha ] been instruct ed to go through with Giss Baggs un- der some pretense, but his ingenuity when put to the test fai! e6 him. Miss Baggs came to his relief
 "Mr Corporal" she said. II don't banker ter part 'ith thet bloomin head O ha'r O. yourn. Would you mind seein a pore lone woman ter he Confederate lines?'
 The corporal whispere, few words in tho lieutenant's ear. The result was that in five minutes fou IT cavalry pri- yates were placed under the corporal's orders, who held in his h: md pole cut from arsee at the side of the road, to which he had attached a white cotton handkerchief.
 Then the old buggy. which -rattled at every turn of the wheel and threatened to collapse at every mudhole, proceeded down the road Corporal Ra tigan can tered alongside, while the four privates followed directly ill rear.
 q .Ia., when horscman-he prou3d to be the enemy's vedette--was seen standing in the road ahead. As the party approach. ed they saw Il dozen more advancing to his support But tho Confederates evi- dently saw the white flag. for no other demonstration was made than the rid ing forward of an officer with half @ dozen men to meet those who were ni. vancing
 What do you want?'' asked the off Ger gruffly.
 Flag to sec the lady to your lines |"
 Under a commissioned officer?" "Only meself, 0 corporal" said Rat igan.
 Well, you can turn about pretty quick and get back to where you came from. Tho next such flag sent out will be taken ill and won't get out again"
 Captain, don't you know me?" said Miss Bags, smiling at the officer.
 Well, upon my word. You don't mean''-
 Miss Baggs put her finger on her lip. 'These men came at my request" she continued, ESQ hope you will not ] find any fault" hot R...A ! nothing.
 Good morning. corporal,'' she said. "I'm much obliged for your trouble" You're quito welcome, miss'' Both parties moved slowly away si- multaneously. They had scarcely started before the corporal heard his name spo- ken in woman's voioo, but one with | which he was not familiar.
 "Rats!"
 l He turned and saw what must be Miss Baggs, for her dress was the same, though her head and neck were changed, standing in the buggy, her back to the horse her face directly toward him. Her glasses were gone. her sunbonnet hung in one hand, while she held reins in the other. Never had the corporal be- held so great Q change in so brief a space of time. The jolting had disar- ranged mass of dark hair which had l partly fallen over her shoulders Her I eyes were black and lustrous, her com plexion an olive relieved by ruddiness on the cheek Her superb head was set on her neck as if it had been placed there by an artist. The face was lighted by smile of triumph-a smile SO be- witching that it haunted the corporal to his dying day.
 Ratigan had not recovered from his surprise before she spoke to him in 0 he had heard from her as a fife is like the mellow tones of an organ.
 Corporal, please present my compli. ments to Major Burke and thank him for me for his kindness, and tell him that when he sends another woman through the lines under pretense of keep ing her eyes shut, when he has an espe- cial purpose of his own in view. not to send an 'Oirishman' for an escort" The smile on her lips broadened and showed a set of white teeth "The 'Oirish' race as diplomats are not usually successful. An revoir. corporal There was 0 grin on the faces of the Confederate lockers on and astonish. ment on the honest countenance of Cor poral Ratigan.
 And. Rats. she continued. evident ly enjoying bringing out the word with her rich voice, as one loves to roll old wine on the tongue. 'when c woman desires to race, it is not always for the i