Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-17

no lack OF resolution, no falterfnG OF pur-
pose I'm either step or voice.
At the door an officer spoke to her.
"Shrely you are not leaving us so early,
Mrs. Brennan?" he questioned anxiously.
"Why. supper has not even been an
I felt her hand close more tightly upon
my arm.
major was to go directly to his quarters If
he was not here by midnight, and would
surely worry were i still absent. Have
you ever met my friend? Pardon me-Cap-
tain Burns, Colonel Curran."
We bowed tremendously. and the next
moment Mrs. Brennan and I were out upon
the steps, breathing the cool night air. I
glanced curiously at her face as the
Calm and reserved She appeared. and
yet her eyes were aglow with intense
excitement. At the foot of the steps she
glanced up at the dark. projecting roof far
above us.
DO you suppose he can possibly be up
there YETI" she asked, in tone so low
as to be inaudible to the ears of the SEN
"who? Bungay?" I questioned in sur
prise, for my thoughts were elsewhere.
'Oh, he was like a cat, and there are
trees at the rear. Probably he is safe
long ago. or else a prisoner once more"
Beyond the CLEAN of the uncovered win
dows all was wrapped in complete dark
ness, save that here and there we could
distinguish the dull red glare of camp-fires
where the company cooks were yet at
work, or some sentry post had been estab-
lished. All the varied sounds of a con-
gested camp at night were in the air-the
chaInping and pounding of horses, the MUIR
muir of mems voices, the distant rumbling
of heavy wagons with an occasional shout
and the noise of axes. It was also evident
from. the numerous fitting lanterns. like
so many glow-wormS the late labors of
the cooks and other unmistakable signs.
hnf ffy-ay not iA,- p 49,
ment were already well under way.
We turned sharply to the left, and pro-
ceeded down a comparatively smooth road
which seemed to; me to possess a rock
basis lt feit so hard From the position
of the stars judged our course to be east
ward, but the night was sufficiently OBJ
scured to shroud all objects more than a
Few yards distant. Except for the varied
camp noises on either side of us the even
ing was oppressively STILL and the air had
the late chill of high attitudes. Mrs Bren-
nan pressed more closely to me as we
passed beyond the narrow zone of light.
gether rs.
Are you chil1ed?" I asked bending my
head toward her. II -."
Not in the least; but must confess to
l think we both recalled nv w-rann,ne
her In the Tapping cavalry cloak the night
we were first alone together, for she add
ed quickly: II am quite warmly clothed,
and have not far to go.,' TF
One often receives certain Impressions
without In the least stknowing by what
means they are conveyefLsome peculiar
TRICK OF tone or manner teaching a lesson
the hps refrain FROM expressing Some
such influence now, uncensefousIy exerted
possibly made me feepothat my compan-
ION preferred to remain silent; that I
could best prove my respect for her by
quietiy accepting her guidance without at
tempting converse. We iryaIked SLOWLY ca
as not TO attract attention as It was i'm
Possioie 10 say that we were unobseryed
once she slipped upoT stone and /
caught her, but neither spoke Then there
came the sudden clatter of hoofs on the
rocky road behind us. I drew her swiftly
aside within the protecting shadow of a
ar sfee' s Mnits mounted officer rode by US
high over his head, and the iron shoes of
his horse striking fire from the fiinty rocks.
could feel the heart of the girl beating
wildly against my arm but without ex-
changing so much as word we crent
back into the dark road and pressed on.
Few hundred yards further fire
Ourned redly against a pile of logs The
forms of several men lay outstretched be-
SIDE 1t, while a sentry paced back and forth
In and out of the range of light We were
almost upon him before he noted orr an
proach, ana IN his haste he swung his
musket down from his shoulder until the
point OF It's bayonet nearly touched nv
breast. '
Haiti he cried. sternly, peer1ng at us
closed
Valley Forge" whispered the girl. and
l notfced how white herlface appeared In
the flaming of the fire.
The word is all right miss" returned
the fellow, stoutiy. yet without lowering
ms obstructfng gun -"But we canhot pass
any one out on the countersign alone Ii
swer."
But we are returning from the officers
ball., she urged anxiously, land are on
have passes"
AS she drew the paper from out her glove
one OF the men at the fire sprang to his feet
anu STROBE across the narrow road toward
US. lie was smooth of face and boyfsh-
looking. but wore corporafs stripes
Nv nat is 1t, Mapes?" he asked sharply.
without waiting an answer he took the
paper she held out and scanned 1t rapidly.
This is all right" he said, handing it
back, and lifting his cap In salute. You
may pass. madam. You must pardon us,
out the orders are exceedingly strict to-
night Have you a pass also, ColonelY' 1
handed 1t to him, and after a single glance
1t was returned
Pass them guard he said curtlv
standing aside.
Beyond the radiance of the fire she broke
the silence.
II shall only be able to go with you so
FAR as the. summit Of the hill yonder, for
are quarters are just to the right, and I
could furnish no excuse for being found
beyond that point she said. DO you
know enough of the country to make the
lines Of your army?
II this Is the KendaIlville pike we are
on l answered. IT have pretty clear
conception Of what Hes ahead, but I should
be very glad to know where I am to look
for the outer picket"
There Is one post at the ford over the
White Briar," She replied. II chance to
know this because Major Brennan selected
the station, and remarked that the stream
was so high and rapid as to be impossible
at any other point for miles. But regret
tnls Is as FAR as my information extends"
Ihere was moment of silence.
But how may I ever, sufficiently thank
you for all you have dote, for me tonight?"
l exclaimed warmly, nfessing her arm to
my SIDE as spoke. with the intensity OF
reel1ng which possessed me.
require no thanks.I. save as expressed
by your silence" she RETURNED, almost cold
ly. and slightly withdrawing herself. II
have merely repaid my Indebtedness to
started to say sometbing-what hard
~ know-When. almost. without sound of
warning. a little squad Aef horsemen swept
over the brow of the hill IN our 'front.' their
forms darkly outlined yaasainst the starltt
sky, and rode down toward us at sharp
trot. had barely timeato swing my COM
panion out OF the trackaMhen they clatter-
ed by, their heads hant. low n the wind.