The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-02-19

lose you in the dark woods, ride TO the
nigger's hut across the field and turn
Blazer loose. Tell Isham, the old mig
ger, Marse Evan said to hide you all
day and be sure to get you to the Fer
ry' at night. You understand"
II perfectly" the girl replied,
still quietly. you mean to fight them
off while run"
All this was quickly spoken, in whis-
pers, but clearly distinct on either side.
The approaching horses had turned into
the sandy road, trotting east towards
them, not one hundred yards away For
an instant Evan was silent. He had
combated Carolyn Clay's will before,
and knew its strength. Then he whis-
pered:
"Theyre on us! Promise me, Caro-!
Remember your mother! Remember
Fairfax! 1t is the only chance Prom
1ei'
There was choke in the whisper that
came back to hin:
81 promiser'
The stiffness of death hung over that
little belt of woods. Side by side the
southern soldier and the southern girl
sat like statues, each with eye and ear
alert and with firm hand upon the rein.
Like statues the horses stood, their sides
scarce heaving now, but with forward
pricked ears, as cognizant of some dam
ger that might come. And in that still
ness the rustic of snowflake upon crisp
leaf was, sharp and clear.
Hoof-muffied by damp sand of the lit
tie ascent, the stranger horsemen trot-
ted nearer still. Ghost-liSe and silent
they moved into view, solitary rider in
advance, the moony vapor rolling round
him
"Who seemed the phantom of giant in it,"
On the troopers moved-two-two
more-two again, until the practised eye
of the scout counted twelve; taking in,
through night and mist, the outline of
cape, the differing seat, the precise gait
of federal cavalry.
If Evan Fauntleroy knew what fear
meant, he certainly had never obeyed
the divine injunction sufficiently to
know himself in that respect. In the
front of the charge, in long and lonely
scout, in still more trying test of lying
inactive for hours under heavy fire, the
boy had ever been utterly oblivious of
danger-had ever carried a Jest upon
his lips But now beads stood upon his
brow, spite of the piercing cold, and he
could hear his heart humping audibly
close under his chin For never had
greater responsibility than his own life
not counted by him-or a missing re-
port, because of bullet. faced him.
Now, a woman's safety and freedom
perhaps her life, for he knew his cousin
would fight, or fly, but never yield
were dependent upon his tact and cool
ness.
Slowly-taking ages, it seemed, to the
aching brain of the conference.-the
officer trotted by; slowly one pair of rid
ers-another-ano his nerv.
Gus tension could scarce refrain from
giving one red-hot ''rebel yell' and
dashing out upon them.
Then the seeming endless agony was
over; the last riders had passed, disap
peared, and were ascending the hill be
You'd the hidden watchers; and not q
suspicion had that ostrich of scout
commander that his prey had been sc
near and-missed!
Then the southern woman--lile all
her sisters, forgetful Of danger, of self
Of all save her loves labor-whispered
"Thank God! we can make the Ferry
now"
And in answer, clear and shrill ant
loud from the road beyond echoed tn,
neigh of horse; and ere Evans quicl
hand could clinch his reared muzzle tn
roam had answered full and strong.
No time to lose now! One chance
and only one!
"Quick the woods road! Remember
south,-the stone fence,-old Isham
Quick for yourself!-for little Fairfax
And In echo came from the road.
Halt! Right about! Forward
Tron MARCHr
Instantly the girl wheeled her horse
trotting rapidly between trees for tn
narrow road-the reversed scouting
party moving fast towards then
guided by the neigh. Once she turned
crying;
'Come! Evan, you promised"
And the boy answered, cheerily:
$50 on! Faster-for Fairfax's sake
I'm coming, adding through hi
: clinched teeth: "when I've held the1
back long enough to save your
The thunder of close hoofs was oppt
site the scout; the federals now at
, charge, strung out as skirmishers alon
) the road, to hem in their unseen TO,
: Without even a glance he knew tina
, their carbines were unslung, and tn
least sound would bring a volley to dro
him out of saddle. From the vantag
Q darkness of his covert, he saw the frs
> four dash by, straight for the lit
: trail for which the girl was making, to-
!" Then came the officer, in full caree
t and Evan, quickly wheeling his hors
n turned in the saddle and fred at the Fl,
a ing shadows without-once, twice;
n they came into view. Then came
n halt a rush quick-changed hoofs, an
|. the crisp twigs of the trees about hi
!. hurtled around his ears as six carbin,
/; simultaneously spoke that their cove
e was flushed. Through the snow-dimme
: woods he saw them crash, he sittir
n motionless, half turned in saddle, h
r left hand firmly feeling the bit.
f His ruse had told. He had drawn O
c pursuit from the girl; and even then h
trained ear caught the beat of Blazer