Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-03

grasp. I'VE rntiSt 3id4 sand ride hard.
i'sSs = 3 3 y ssF''' by day
She faced me s:stiany, and there was
slight Mbs s.sns in hss bsess f fhsn partially
gathering my scattered wits: why, to the
camp we are seeking of course.
was conscious that her.eyes We're striv-
| ness; that her suspicious .were now fully
aroused; yet hersquick retort surprised me.
You lie!' she said coldly. THAT was
federal picket he killed.
1t was time for argument, and l
knew it. Any moment might bring to
the sound of shoof BEATS in pursuit; more,
realized, that anything 1 might hope to
say would only tend to make matters worse.
There was, but one course open. She must
be compeIfedato ride by force If necessary.
Why should 1 hesitate? She had no claim
on my consideration, and l. hardened my
heart to make her comprehend once and
for all, that / was the master Even as I
reached this decision Craig, noting
pause. had ridden back. and refined in be-
side without a word.
You are right l said tersely. "In one
sense of the word You are prisoner, for the
time being at least, bat not through any
wish of mine. We do not make war on wo-
men, and your being in this situa ton Is al
together an accident However, be that as
it may we must first of all protect our
selves. l would very gladly leave you
with your friends. if possible but as
mains but one alternative-you must ride
as l order
/ could mark her quick breathing while l
spoke, and when l concluded one hand went
up to her throat as IL she choked.
'You-you are not Major Brennan's friend,
then? You were not sent by Frank to meet
me?' The questions burst from her lips
so rapidly that l scarcely caught their inn
| port
Il am Capt Philip Wayne, til Virginia
Cavalry, at your service, madam l said,
calmly; land to the best of my knowledge
1 have not the pleasure of Major Brennan
acquaintance"
She seemed not to know what to say, and
sat there staring at me through the dark
ness, she might have gazed in speechless
horror at some wild animal she expected
would spring upon her.
"A rebelr The hated word Kissed from
her lips as If the utterance burned them.
Yes madam l said, somewhat coldly,
for l was not especially fond of the term,
that is what they call US on your side, but
also an officer and a gentleman"
1 doubt if she even heard me. AL L know
is she suddenly lifted the heavy riding whip
that was clinched in her right hand, struck
me with it fun across the face, and then, as
quickly flung up my own arm TO ward on
a second Dtow, she-sent the lash swlrllng
down upon the flank of her horse with
one bound the rilzGdahed animal wrenched
the reins from out my hands, nearly dag
ging me from the saddle, and swerved
Sharply to the left. There was shocK.
in the daI kness, the sharp ping OF TIE Whlp
as it came down once, stwice-then 81 ence,
broken only by deep bre athing.
1--WE got her. cap ain, chuckled the ser
geant. softly; but dog gore if know what
to do with her. .
There was small, sentiment of mercy in
my heart as | drew up toward them,
for my cheek burned where the
ash had struck al though scorched with
fire. For the moment felt utterly indit-
ferent to ali claims Of her womanhood. she
had unsexed HERSELF and deserved treat
ment accordingly. 1t was thus felt as
clinched my teeth in pain; but when L saw
her leaning helplessly forward on her
horses neck, all bravado gone, her hands
pinoned behind her in the IRON grip ol tue
sergeant, my fierce resentment died away
within me.
LET go her hands, Craig" 1 command
ed briefly.
She lifted her=body slightly from its
cramped,- urcomfortabfe@ posture, put hei
head remained bowed.
Madam spoke asternly, for moments
were of value noW-"listen to what say.
We are confederate soldiers passing through
the federal lines with dispatches. In oroer
to save ourselves from discovery ana cap
ture we were compelled 10 take you III
charge 1t was the fortune of war. Ii now
we could honorably leave you mere we
would most gladly do SO, for having you
with us adds vastly to our own danger;
but these mountains are Simply oVerrun
with wandering guerillas VINO would snow
dare not as honorable men, leave you here
unprotected and consequently you must
continue to ride in our company. NOW an
swer me plainly, VIII you proceed quletiy,
or shall we be compelled to tie you to your
horse?'
/ knew she was crying; but with an eff
fort she succeeded in steadying her voice
sufficiently to reply.
81 will CO." she said
''Thank YOU" and 1 gravely lifted my hat
as 1 spoke. you have saved me most
UNPLEASANT duty You may ride on, SER
geant: this lady and 1 will follow. as be-
fore"
She scarcely changed her posture as
spurred forward riding now so close to her
side that / could feel the flap of her saddle
rise and fall against my knee. Whatever OF
evil she may have thought of US. felt that
she was sorry enough now for her nasty
action and / forgave the pain that yet
stung me- and longed. without well know
ing how, to tell her so.
(To be continued tomorrow