The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-02-12

SO = str ct ching 6, into
long, straight reaches, under bare
armed trees that seemed TO point warn
ing fingers to the steely-cold sky over
headG o.. ~ F--ys ~ rs +,..
For it was midwinter of 1S68-that
clime-imposed rest in the 'grapple for
life, or death, of the blue and gray
giants, still watching in eager crouchon
either side of that world-noted river. /:
A moony haze that was not flight, yet
doomed up objects of near distance in
gigantesque dimness, lay over the land;
and the east wind sweeping across the
broad Potomac, paused an instant to
touch its lips to her cold waves, then
mounted the southern bank with new
chilled breath from the caress, to swirl
about the riders pressing onward In
seeming defiance of it's efforts.
An oddly-mated pair these were, for
time and place like this: Atall, 1.-the
female form, clad in heavy riding habit
and cape of coarse gray cloth, soldiers
soft sloi1ched hat drawn close over the
brow, long gauntlets covering hands
that had firm, practiced grasp Oh The
reins that checked a powerful Foam
horse; her companion sturdy soldier,
seemingly, in the wrap of his gray over
coat, his slouched hat trailing a long
black plume, and high thigh boots, rest
ing lightly in long stirrups that swayed
to each stride Of his black horse.
Had the light been stronger, and had
curious observer been a possibility on
such night, On that lonely trail Of the
neutral ground in time of fragrant war,
the woman's face would have challenged
closer scrutiny. TIE clear-cut, high
bred features were Lit by large gray
eyes, that glinted out watchfcl snd res
dilute; and the frn-set lips were fall
curved, denoting scnAtiveness rs wei!
as character. Such ce4ious observer,
too, might have noted ehat the rough
habit chung about figure NOT too fall,
but of most symmets4c curves; that the
gauntlets covered hands a. iezg and
taper as they seemed fr.a end Nervous;
that the heavy coils It rrddy -gcid hair,
beneath the sessi-railitary hat, shone
smooth and glossy, even in that wind.
For Carolyn Clay VIVA c.e Of those
women developed only ~ ''stSxn-and-
stress eras, such as the srothers' war,
beauty End petted belle, fcide. Glib Of
tongue, end MgAt in danccs . very mis-,
tress of scetety's sword-piay, who eould
at need, rise 70 heights Of heroism and
even do deeds 70 shame . soldier!
Good blood and proud - straight
conrsed drown veins of lordly settler or
virgin scii, asaed for the queen-wa.
that the night wind brought to Miss
Clay's check; and her lissome Ggure
could, upcn occasion, straighten into 9
hauteur as rigid as that becoming ''the
daughter ct . hundred earls."
Washington and Baltimore, equally
with Virginia's capital and her noted
summer resorts of ante bellum, hat
rung with the name Of the brillian
young girl, who had stood the socia
campaigns Of two preceding seasons
with never one reported repulse, fa
less capitalization, yet had tied to he
chariot scores of noted captives, ''rescu,
or no rescue" Nor had the two year
of war known her less well, in tn
gayeties OF the capital, when winter
mud and snow babe even Bellona sta,
her dreadful work; in the hospitals
Understanding the path of summer
battle; even, 1t was said, in more thai
one bold foray and perilous, in quest o
information or Of much-needed medi
cines, across the division river between
the warning sections.
Less marked in outer seeming, Will
no less type, was her companion
young, vigorous and gallant of miel
above his rough gray coat and coars
brown shirt For Evan Fauntleroy
like many another, had left the luxur.
of the old homestead, to cast his lot a
a private soldier under the guidon o
the "Black Horse" Goodness in peril
punctuated by two bad wounds befor
his nineteenth birthday, had gained tn
boy no higher promotion than favorit
scout to that bland-bearded cavalie
who was his idol, Jeb Stuart.
''It is going.to snow, cyan" the gi1
said, abruptly. 81 have felt three stra
fakes strike my nose already. II
should" 1t
eff it should, I'll order camp, Cousi
Caro-" the boy broke in, with laugh
"Tou shan't get your little feet we
even: for l promised Gen. Jeb I'd Sc