Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-09-14

The LADY, Hsavsnsi What odd
turn Of fortunes wheel was this? The
lady. heard Craig's smothered
achucrle, but before had sufficiently
.rssained control over. my own feel
;ings to venture upon . suitable reply.
tho entire party had drawn forward,
tho leader pressing 80 close to my side
that felt safer with my face we'll
shaded.
{ Where Is your escort major?" he
asked. and the grunness Of his tone
put me instantly on defense.
"Just behind us." returned. with
affected carelessness, and determined
now to play out the game. lady. or no
lady. I was extremely sorry for her.
but the cause outweighed her comfort.
'.The sergeant and II rode out ahead
when We heard yyou coming. Where
10 the LADY,?
He glanced around at the group
huddlsd behind him.
third on the left
.All right. then. Nothing else, I
believer" for was eager to get
away. Sergeant, Just ride in there
and lead out her horse. We will have
TO b moving, gentlemen, for 1t 10 .
rough road and dark night"
''Beastly." assented the other, heart
~.
fairly held my breath rs Craig
rode forward. II one OF them should
ichace to strike match to light .
pipe. or any false movement Of Craigs
should excite suspicion! II he should
even speak, his soft southern drawl
would mean instant betrayal And
how coolly he went ct It: with .
sharp touch Of tho spur, causing his
jaded horse to exhibit such sudden
;1estlessness as to keep the escort
we'll to ono side, while ranged close
up to our unwelcome guest, and lay
ing arm hand upon her horses bit.
let forth to whereal waited. Il was
quickly. nobly done. and I could have
Rugged the fellow.
We'll. good luck to you. major,
and . pleasant ride. Remember me to
Brennan. Deucsd queer, though. why
10 failed to show up on such q 90.
casion 40 this.
He was unfortunate enough 70 b
sent out. In the other direction with
dispatches goodnight gentlemen"
It was sweet music to mo to listen
to their hoof-beats dying rapidly away
behind Us a. We turned back down the
dark road. tho sergeant still riding
with his one hand grasping tho
strangers rein. endeavored to scan
her figure In the blackness, but found
the effort useless, a. little more than
. shadow WIS., visible. Yet twas Inn.
pressed upon me that she sat straight
and frm In the saddle, 30 concluded
she must be young.
Madam" I began. seeking to feel
my way with caution into her conf
dence. 81 fear you must be quite
wearied by your long ride"
She turned slightly at sound Of my
voice.
''Not,at all. sir: I am merely eager
to push on. Besides. my ride has not
been q long one. % We merely came
from General sigel's headquarters"
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined.
..Ah. yes. certainly" l stammered.
fearful lest had made . grave mis-
take. 'But really I had supposed
General Sigel was at Coulterville."
''He advanced to Bear creek yes
terday." she returned quietly. $50
you see We had covered scarcely more
than three miles when We met. How
much farther IL It to whore Major
Brennan q stationed?"
f fear was guilty Of hesitancy. but
Il was only for {, moment.
81 am unable to tell exactly, for. ~
It chances. have never yet been ID
the camp. but I should Judge that two
hours riding will cover the distance"
why" in . tonepf sudden surprise.
Captain Hale certainly told mo It
was all Of twenty milss!"
from Bear creekf questioned
eagerly, for It was my turn to feel
startled now. s'Tho map barely makes
It ten
at is but ten. and scarcely that, BY
the direct White Briar road; or. az
at least. 80 heard some Of the
younger oficers say: but Il seems the
Confederate pickets are posted Cd
close to the White Briar that my
friends decided It would b tunsafe to
proceed that way"
This was news indeed news 10 IN.
expected and startling thAt forgot
all caution. N
Then what road do they call this =
She laughed At my evident igno.
rance. - we'll q the eagerness Of my
tone.
Really. you are = most peculiar
guide." she exclaimed aayly. You q.
most convince mo that you are lost.
Fortunately. sir, out Of my vast knowl-
edge Of this mysterious region, ! am
able to enlighten you to some extent
We are now riding due southwark
/ along the Allentown pix.
- Craig leaned forward 10 % to look
Acro1s her horses neck to whore !
rode on the opppiats side. s
Nay speak q word, sir?" 10
asked, cauti ously.
Certainly. sergeant: do you make
sanythfn1 ont nfeaI this -