Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-12-14
CHAPTER xvII.-contlnued.

Colonel Curran Is certainly to be
congratulated upon having found 80
charming a guide, madam. a=d ! can
assure you shall most gladly do my
part toward the success Of the expedi.
ton. The Major was expected back
before this. l believer"
He left word that II he had not
returned by twelve ] was to wait for
him no longer, as he should 60 directly
to his quarters. find the life Of q
soldier to be extremely uncertain"
I'VE are our country's servants,
madam" he replied proudly, and then
taking out q pad of blanks from his
pocket, turned to me.
May ! ask your full name and
rank. Colenel?"
Patrick l. Curran. Colonel. Sixth
Ohio Light Artillery"
He wrote It down rapidly, tore on
the paper, and handed It to me.
THAT will take you safely through
our inner guard lines" he said grave
ly. that being as far cs my jurisdic-
ton extends. Goodnight, Colonel;
goodnight, Mrs. Brennan"
We bowed tremendously, and the
next moment Mrs. Brennan and !
were out upon the steps, breathing
the cool night air. glanced curious
ly at her face as the CLEAN Of light
fell upon It-how calm and reserved
she ,ppeared, and yet ner eyes we're
aglow with intense excitement. At
the foot Of thessteps she glanced up
at the dark. projecting roof far above
us.
do you suppose he can possibly be
up there YETI" she asked. In a tone
Sc low as to be inaudible to the ears
of the sentry.
Who? Bungay?" questioned In
surprise, for my thoughts we're else
where. "oh. he was like q cat, and
there are trees at the rear. Prob
ably he is safe long ago. or else
q prisoner once more"
Beyond the CLEAN Of the uncovered
windowc all was wrapped In complete
darkness, save that here and there
we could distinguish the dull red
glare Of camp-nres where the company
cooks gere yet at work, or some
sentry post had been established. We
turned Sharply to the left. and pro
ceeded down q comparatively smooth
road, which seemed to me to possess
a rock basis, It felt } hard. From
- position Of the stars ! judged our
course to be eastward, but the night
was sufficiently obscured to shroud
all objects more than a few yards dis.
tant. Except for tho varied camp
noises on either side Of us the eve.
ming was oppressively stlll. and the
air had the late chill Of high attitudes.
Mrs. Brennan pressed more closely to
me as we passed beyond the narrow
zone of light, and unconsciOusly we
fell into step together.
A few hundred yards farther a-fFe
burned redly against a pile OF logs
The forms OF several men lay out
stretched beside It, while q sentry
paced back. and forth. In and out Of
the range Of light. We were almost
upon him before he noted our ap-
proach. and In his ha. e he swung he
musket down from his shoulder until
the point Of its bayonet nearly
touched my breast.
Halt" he cried sternly. peering at
ne In evident surprise Halt! this
road is closed"
VALLEY Forge" whispered tbe girl.
and ! noticed how white her lace ap-
peared In the flaming Of the fire.
THE word ls all right. Miss re-
turned the fellow, stoutly. yet with
out lowering his obstructIng gun. "But
we cannot pass any one out on the
cOuntersign alone. II you was going
the other way Il would answer"
"But we are returning from the off,
GERS ball." she urged anxlously. and
are on our way TO Major Brennan's
quarters. We have passes"
Az she drew the paper from out her
GLOVE one Of the men at the fire
sDrang to his feet and strobe across
the narrow road toward Us. He was
smooth Of face and boyish looking.
but wore corporai,s stripes.
what ls Il. MnDes?" be asked
sharply.
Without waiting an answer BE- took
ne paper sho hsld on and scannod