Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1905-05-27


from my wound. l saw the rents all
ldarned and patched with pack thread.
In her hand was the mirror had
given her.
At the sound OF my step on the
threshold she turned with a short cry
a cry the like OF which I have never
heard. SO tull was IL OF choking 10Y.
The glass cropped 20 the floor and
was shattered. In n second her arms I
were about me. aud 50 she hung on
my neck. sobbins and laughing to- F.
gether.
"'Twns true-'twas true, Dear. deer 4
Jack-dear jack 90 come 20 me: hold
me tighter. tighter-sor my very heart
IS burstingr'
And behind me shadow fell on the
doorway. and there stood Della re
garding us.
sJoau." said 7. hot with shame. TAX
/ ing her arms gently from my neck.
''listcn: I came because I am chased.
/ once more the dragoOners are after me
not FIVE minutes away. NOu must
lend me q horse. and at once"
Nay said n voice in the doorway,
''thc horse. n lent. is for me.'
Joan turned. and the two women
stood looking az each other-the one
with dark wonder. the other with cold
disdainfulness-and I between them.
scarce lifting my eyes Each was
beautiful after fcr kind. as day and
night: and though their looks crossed
FOR n full minute like drawn blades.
neither had the mastery. Joan was the
FIRST to speak,
"Jack. II thy mare I'm The yar6f"
"Give me thy pistols and thy cloak"
She stepped 90 the window hole nc the
end OF the kitchen. and looked ont.
."Plerty of time" she said. and point
ed 10 tho ladder leading 90 the lott
above Climb mp there. tho both ard
pull the ladder after Is II thou they
j want-or sheF' pointing 20 Della.
NE chiefly they WOULD catch. no
coubt-belng n nfsn." I answered.
"Aye-bcing a man. Tho worlds Pull
NJ folly. Then. Jacl,. 10 thou look
after hcr. ana TN loos after thee"
/ She flung my cloak about her toot
:. nay pistols and went out Gt the door
r AS she did SO tho sun sank and n dull
, shadow swept over the moor.
"Joanr' 1 cried. Tor now guessed
D. her purpose ana was following to him
= der her. but She had caught Molly
bride and was already astride OF her
l Get back she called softly. and
10 then. Il make better lad than wcnch
e Jack" leapcd tIc maze through n cal
. On the wall. and in n moment VIZ
< brcasting the hin and galopins fo- th
j. high road.
d "What think vou 81 this fo- h!dia
s,fnno nafe..r -rrr.h n f.rr.ar
h But Della dll not iGugh. Instead
.t she faced me- with blazing eye
4 checked herself and answered. cold e
10 Zee:
e sir. you have done re nan
q favors. How I have trusted yoI
.e return II were best FOR you 20 remeu
" Der. and Tor me 90 forget
a- The dark drew on. and still we e,
D. there. hour after hour. silent angr
waiting for Joan's return. Della at %
3. enhance OF the cottage. chin on han
ID scanning the heavens and never on.
In turning toward me. 7 further insld
1 with T. y arms crossed. raging again
~ myself and az the world, yet vita
slcke2ing dread that Joan would new
Is come back.
As the time Jagged by. this terr
K. grew and grew. Sat. rs 1 think. abo
10 O'Clock. I heard step coming ov
av the turf. 7 ran out. Twas Joan De
i'm self and leading Molly by the brid
40 She walked as III tired. and leaving q
mr. mare in the stable followed me In
the cottage. CHANGING round. not
II that Della had slipped away.
ir "Am glad she's some" said, Jos
SO ishortly. "The rebels III never trout
er thee more. lad"
nj WHY how
ou Listen. lad. sit down an lot me r,
TX my head pen thy knee. on. jack
nd Cid II bravely. Eight good miles ;
,ts more I took The Eare-by the To-
We hold Cross. an across the moor -
ire Tober an Catsh0le. an over Bro
nv willy. an round Roughtor 70 the n,
we west; an there lies the b-avest Gual
nd o.. black. bottOmloss hole,-aa' /,
-be 81 led them. an there they lie. ev,
Us horse. an every mothers son.
om Judgment Day"
"Dead?'
NO "Aye-an' the last twain WI a bul
Apiece in their skulls. Oh. rare, d
osa heart-hOld my head-sO. atween
- hands"
,a an But. Joan. are these men dead.
his your
"a Surely. yes. Why. lad. what
nj four rebels. up or down. TO make
"a coil over? Hast never axed after Il
"Joan-yOu are not hurtT"
,od In the darkness 1 sought her eI