The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1901-01-22
By JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER,
copyright, 1900, by Joseph 4. Al;shcier.]
CHAPTER |.
A TRYING SITUATION.

is q man to do? She returned my gaze
with great, pure eyes. which seemed tc
say was villain, a monster, yet
had been doing my exact duty, that of
faithful soldier in the cause of tho
Continental congress and freedom, while
she, woman, q girl. had presumed to
turn from tho things for which God
had intended her and to mCddlo with
war. was more than vrXcd-l was an.
CRY, angry at her for attempting such a
task and angry at myself for being forced
into a situation so iul! Of troubles
+ On the right, in IT," fringe of woods
quarter of a mile away, the la. rifle
shot had been fired, and its echo was
speeding across the far hills The pow
der flashed no moro, and the smoke roSo
in lazy coils over thc ground on which
mcn had fought and some bad died
Tho victors, the captured detail with
them, were riding away l almost fan.
cied | could hear tho beat of their
horses hoofs, and tho dead, knew, lay
with their faces upturncd to the sun,
waiting thcro until the last trump called
to them to rise again And here was |,
cut off from my comrades and alone
with this girl.
Tho horses shifted about uncaSily,
stamped their feet, and once mine raised
his head and ncighcd, as if in truth he
heard tho beating hoofs Of the Galloping
detachment IIo knew that his com.
rades, too, wcro leaving him, though
cannot say that it was dcscrtlon in.
tended by either horse or man
Tho girls look of rcproach turned to
ono of inquiry. Sho sat on Il log her
littlo riding whip hanging idly in her
hand. For tl.o first timc took note of
her facc-tho delicate Lut firm molding
Of each feature; tho clear depths of her
dark, bluo eyes; tho bronze gold of her
hair, clustering III tiny cur!s around her
forehead; the roso red of her checks. like
II flush; her 1.-the, strong, young figure
Why is it that when God wishes to
mako women especially wicked and
troublesome he makes them beautiful?
"Well, you rebel, she said, "whcn
do you purpose to set me frcc?"
when you givo your word Of honor
that you will tell CORVALLIS nothing
and our present movements. 3"
"That l will not do "
"Thcn You remain my prisoner -
Yet l would have been fool even to
havo taken her word of honor What
woman has any regard for tho truth in
military matters? If sho could find a
chance, sho would certainly give intor.
nation that would bring Corvallis ns
well as Tarlcton. on Morgan
II think that it is enough for Eng,
liShmcn themselves to fight us without
sending their daughters also against us.
l said.
"My father did not send me, She said
quickly. II camo or my own accord"
$50 much tho worse" replied
But nothing was to bo gained by
standing there and talking Bcsidcs. it
Is never we'll for soldier to dispute
with his prisoner 1t argues on INSULT.
cicncy for his position A captor should
bear himself with dignity and reserve
would show my quality
/ united tho horses and led them to
tho log on which sho was sitting
"Gct up" l said curtly and i'll tono
Of command.
Tho natural roso flush Of her checks
deoponed Il littlo.
lyon speak rs If you wcre my mas
ter" she said.
"That is just what / am-for tho
present, " replied. Mount your horse
ut onco."
Sho gave mo sidcwiso look from eyes
that flashed, but sho stood upon tho log
"This log is too low. and tho saddle
is too high," sho said.
stepped forward and held out my
hand to as; It hcr
Don't touch mo, you rebcll" she
cried and leaped lightly into tho saddle
felt hurt
Il wish you wouldn't call mo
REBEL" said.
"Why2"
"lt's impolite.
"But it's truo."
"Well, perhaps it Is in way, and in
way too. am proud of it. Are You
proud Of YOUR king2"
"Yes"
1T doesn't take much to arouse Eng.
lish prido."
You will think moro of him when tho
war is over 1t will pay you to do so. "
Meanwhile wo will wait until
then"
"What do yon purpose to dc with
me--keep mo priscncr2''
1T is my misfortune.
"Tho courtesy Of q rebel"
Il shall tako you to General Nor.
gan"
"Then Tarleton will rescue mo- Your
Morgan cannot stand before him.
| was afraid that sho spoke the truth
We were outnumbered, and besides
moro than half our force was raw mill
tia The odds were great against us,
and knowing it / did not reply to her
taunt
While we were talking she sat in the
saddle with the easy seat of good
horsewoman | held my horse loosely
by the bride She was twiddling tho
whip in her hands Suddenly she leaned
over and lashed my horse across the
eyes with her whip The blow was
given with all her might. and the
startled horse reared jerked the bride
ont Of my hand and ran away
uGnodhv Mr. Robol pb eho ,l,no.oa