Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-05-27

arise from her action. She had SAID
that she must go with him. which
seemed to settle the entire matter. so
far as were concerned these two young
people, untutored In the ways Of a
suspicious, formelity bound world.
Now Gilbert Steele saw that some
thing must be done. Madeleine must
have rest. she must have food, and
she must have place to sleep.
She began to falter.
Madeleine" he said tenderly. He
stopped In the tree fringed path and
supported her with his arm around her
waist. He pointed upward toward the
heavens with his other hand. There
In a patch Of sky cleaned brightly the
glorious orb of-Fenus.
"See. my dear" he whispered. The
girl rested her head against his Shout
der, and her gaze followed the line OF
his pointing hand. See, that Is the
evening star. II has risen In the sky
and overshadows all else In the heav-
ems, and that is the way you hav"
risen in my life to outshine everything
else. to guide me In the way | should
go. You are my evening star. and ~
well you are my morning star. and
He looked down into her eyes and
saw that they had closed In contented
sleep
Tenderly-ever so tenderly-he wrap
ped his strong arms about her frali
little body. and. holding her close to
his breast. he started along the wind
ing pathway. One Of her arms he bent
around his neck. Her ringlets Of gold
Ell hair fell against his cheek as he
walked. Her bosom gently rose and
fell as she dreamed herself away int
the magic realms Of fairyland. with
her gallant fairy prince. Gilbert Steele
as her protector and guide. AS he
looked down into her innocent face
and understood in his way the I'M
fathomable depth Of the trust she mad
placed I'm him and In his honor Gilberi
Steele vowed a VOW with himself and
with his God that he would hold sa
cred this trust and strive manfully t.
Justify it, as was the duty Of true
man and soldier in Andrew Jack
sons army.
Passed almost an hour ere Gilbert
Steele reached with his precious bur
den the house of plantation manager
whom he was certain would be able
and willing to provide shelter for the
girl for the night.
Throaty baying OF dun coated
J hounds sent Gilbert. startled. aback
as he drew near the dwelling. and tht
sleeping girl, with a cry OF terror
lurched dazedly from his arms. The
planter, aroused by the disturbance
appeared In the doorway, his figure
silhouetted boldly in the glare OF vel
low light that streamed forth into the
darkness. He carried musket. l.
readiness for immediate action. Ihes
were dangerous times. and night
providers were usually bent on ques
tionable errands.
"Stand back or I'll fire." he Grief
threateningly, leveling the weapon a.
the figure Of the man his eyes diml!
discerne0.
But no sooner had he spoken than
the householder lowered the gun. for
much TO his amazement. he behelt
coming into the path Of light youni
man whose face was familiar to hiT
and resting on his arm was a pale
faced, wan eyed young girl. whose
dainty raiment of white was torn
through contact with briers and stain
ed here and there with dirt marks.
"This young lady is far from home.
announced Gilbert. lost her way
needs food and rest. VIII you keep
her here until morning? | will pay
you well"
The planter glowered suspiciousIy at
them.
81 will have to ask my wife, was
his reply as he drew back irto the
house. slammed the door and left the
travel worn couple standing disconso-
lately in the blackness Of the night.
The girl chung to Gilbert in nervous
fear Of the dogs. which. however. were
| leashed In a woodshed near by. He
comforted her. though he also was
dismayed-for another reason, how
ever.
Suppose the planters wife would not
take Madeleine in! What was to be
done then? Not another dwelling
within miles!
There would be only one resource.
and that was practically no resource
at all, was probably out Of the ques-
ton. for It meant the taking OF the
girl through the lines Of the distant
military camp and the procuring OF
shelter Of some sort for her there.
The door finally opened. Gilbert
awaited tensely the answer. The
planter again appeared.
"Come on in," be snapped. Come
in and explain to my wife. and II you
can satisfy her that you're all right
you can leave the young person here
for the night"
With q sigh of relief at the glimmer
of hope held out to him Gilbert half
carried his charge across the threshold
and into the living room Of the plant
erS house.
He explained that the girl had stray,