The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-09-15

you must do as 1 tell you-trust all to
me and-go." The girls voice was
almost stern, but her eyes were very
tender
"As you will" he said and stopped
and kissed her. ''Goodby, Colonel
Winthrop"
"Goodby and God he with you,"
responded the colonel, solemnly.
"What plan my daughter has for your
escape know not, but"
at will not fail, father. Frank, dear
Frank, &c" and Betty fairly pushed
him out of the room and house.
Remember my directions" she
said to Carlos in the hall. ''Keep
watch on the three horsemen, and when
you see them gallop away run TO Lieu
tenant Balfour instantly. Go now,
and order the big brown horse sad
died in haste for gentleman who will
ride from here. He will mount in the
stable yard. Hurryp'
Then Betty sped upstairs to the
garret to chest that contained cer-
tain relics of her fathers regimental
career.
Five minutes later the colonel, who
had been watching the movements of
the men on the avenue, was filled with
CONSERVATION at sight of a young man
dressed in the blue and buff of con-
tinental officer, riding leisurely away
across the lawn to the high road.
"What foolhardinessl What stu
pidityl That idiot Frank. He shan't
marry my girl-to ride right down
their throats without so much as his
disguise. Fool-fooll Poor Betty!"
Meantime, one of the three horse-
men who were advancing up the drive
caught sight of the uniformed figure
and with an exclamation turned his
horse across the lawn and started in
pursuit, followed by his companions.
For an instant the young officer
paused as if undecided, the next he
struck spurs to his horses fanks and
plunged away over the green. Leap
ing the hedge that inclosed the colo
nel's place ut this point, he turned
into the road. The colonel watched
the flying figures until they were lost
to sight in the dusty distance, then
turned away with an impatient sigh.
Through the lengthening shadows
pursued and pursuers sped on. The
brown horse, fresh from the stable,
was swift and sure of foot and his
rider handled him with consummate
skill, holding him at a steady gait that
neither lost nor gained upon the men
who followed. Up gentle undulations,
down little hills, through patches Of
shady wood and out again into the sun
shine. Mile after mile slipped away
under the flying hoofs. The three
horsemen and their horses were get
ting blown.
"Haltr' yelled the foremost. The
road led into the depths of pine for.
est.
"Halt, or we shootr' he cried.
The young officer sped around q
curve in the road and was lost to sight.
When his pursuers again caught sight
of him the brown horse showed signs
of tagging, and they had gained per-
ceptibly.
''Halt, or we shoot!' rang out the
command again.
''Shoot if you dare, cowardsl'
called back clear, dauntless voice.
A bullet whizzed past the fugitive's
ear and lodged in the trunk of a pine
tree. The brown horse plunged and
reared and galloped on. Another bull
let tore a hole in the blue coat sleeve.
The three men leaned forward in
their saddles and urged on their labor.
ing steeds. The pine trees hung
heavy and low across the path.
"Stop, and you are safe--go on, and
we'll shoot You down." painted the
leader.
Another instant and the fugitive
had drawn rein, so suddenly that his
horse fell back upon his launches.
His hat, caught by dropping pine
bough, had been dragged from his
head. The foremost of the pursuers
saw white hand raised hastily, as If
to stay the food of golden glory that
tumbled down in many shimmering
ripple and sunny curl upon the fugi-
tive's shoulders; saw him turn about
his exhausted horse and saw-odds
guns and pistols!-that the young
officer was no young officer at all,
but lovely girl, with flushed cheeks
and bright, exultant eyes-clad in an
ill-fitting uniform of a colonel in the
continental army. As the three drew
up almost abreast in the road facing
her, she said, smilingly:
"Gentlemen, the chase is over. You
have done bravely, but Lieutenant
Balfour has escaped you."
"And you, madam" said one of the
horsemen sternly, ''had you no scru-
Piles in misleading us and hindering
his capture? And do you know that
there is penalty attached to volun-
tarily aiding in the escape of trail
tor?"
''La, is there?" said Betty, sauci-
ly. "It concerns me not, for 1 haye
aided no traitor to escape. And, pray,
since you are SO learned in law, what
is the penalty attached to such a
crime as that of galloping ten miles
after defenceless woman, because,
/ Al