Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-16

At midafternoon they stopped at a l small hut in 8 gorge and asked for something to eat.
 1 After the meal and rest the four rode some hours through shaggy ravines strewn with wrack of storm, where the green veins of every growing thing ran flush with frenzied sap, then to the w l valleys of the Rapid-Ann. And e | at last spirals of smoke showed u ID ! where Lafayette lay encamped, wait ing Junction with Wayne to march against Cornwallis
 The first challenge they met came from detachment of Virginia rifle men, and, finding an old friend in their commander, Major Call, Colonel liar rison and MT. Tyler elected to go no farther. Ely's house, Henry learned was but few miles beyond the picket lines, and as to the morrow's escort for Anne the major sent lieutenant with them mile down the river to headquarters to ask it. It was a picturesque, encampment 1 through which they passed. There I were few tents-mere wigwams of fresh 1 cut boughs to shed the dew. Here and l there fires of blazing fence rails gloyyed yelloWly in the gathering twilight. The tent of the acting colonel of the Virginia Continental regiment was pitched apart on a patch of beaten grass. Stools and light folding table holding pen and paper sat just outside l the open flaps, from whose angle lam tern hung, already wini1ing in the dusk Benches were on one side, and here, 1 while their horses were cared for, Hen- ! ry and Anne seated themselves to wait 1 Near by the dusty silver of sycamores swayed against the shredded carnation ] of the sky, and from the distance through the warm evening came the 1 hum Of the camp, noises of mess pre- pairing and the tramp and neigh of horses. They sat awhile silent, Annes every nerve tired. Henry watched her. How softly white her cheeks, how deep the longing in her eyes!
 "'Twas quick plan and a splendid ride,' he said at length "A brave act, as are all of yoursr'
 She cringed suddenly. ''I hate that l word sol" she implored. and he knew ! of what she was thinking.
 | ing earnestly: Do you believe shall ever see him7 Oh, If he could but know-but know that was not false l to him in my heart! At first thought l would be content to know he was alive, even if I never saw him again l if he hated mel But now-now, | would give my life to hear him say that he forgave meW
 It was as if all the pent up longing l of the past time burst out in flood. | Her voice had sunk very low with the l last words, for the lieutenant had ap- ] preached again.
 A horse pulled up before the tent, and it's rider dismounted. He wore the uniform of colonel of the line, and l even in the half light both the watch CTS saw how strangely pallid his clear cut features showed beneath the straight black peruke he wore. An orderly sprang from the tent to lead away the dancing horse, and the l lieutenant Saluted: l "A gentleman to see you, colonel. He requests escort tonight for lady to l Ely's and tomorrow to Fredericks- burg"
 The colonel had seated himself at a l table and was spreading out parch- ment map in the glow of the lantern. "Where are they?'
 They are here, sir" 1 As they came forward into the light the seated figure settled back in the shadow and shaded his eyes with his l hand. The lieutenant saluted and withdrew little distance.
 ! When the colonel spoke, 1t was in a mufded voice. "Your name, sirT
 Henry told him. IT.,
 "For what lady do you wish this es- cort?" The black peruke was bent over the table. The quill was scratching. | "For this lady"
 l Anne had been staring, breathless, fascinated, her eyes fixed tn humid pain. She took a step nearer, stretch ing out her arms, her lips trembling to b sob. - "Louisy' Her breath clung about the name. Henry swallowed an exclama- ton.
 At the whisper the head lifted, and Armand's deep eyes looked at them out of a granite pale face. They went past her as if she had been the air and rest ed again on Henry. l "Her name?' he asked with an ef- fort.
 l Anne drew back as if from a tangible blow. She flushed, and her eyes iced 1 with a glint of the old, undying pride. She drew herself up and answered for Henry.
 Anne Tillotson,' she said. But in spite of herself throb of pain beat through the clear words.
 A moments silence, through which the pen wrote slowly. Then Armand rose unsteadily as the lieutenant came forward and thrust the order he had 1 written into his hand. y
 Conduct them,' he said i'll choked ! voice, and with his salute the tent flaps fell behind him.
 | T warrant you found Colonel Ar mand a brusque cavalier" said the