The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-02

ing the pommel. as if the pain and ex- ertion had left her faint Somewhere in the passage. the uplifting. the re- volver had slipped from her fingers and fallen unnoticed into the black ness of the road. Without uttering a word I shortened the stirrup leather to meet her requirements, fastening the one opposite back so it could not langle against her injured ankle. Then I wet silk neckerchief discov- cred ill the pocket of the jacket l wore, sousing the cloth with water from the canteen, and bound it se- curely about the aching, swollen foot
 Had I better bind you into the sad dle?''
 "No," the voice barely audible "I shall not fall Are-are you going to walk-all the way"
 "Certainly."
 could plainly distinguish the sob of her rapid breathing.
 "I-I thank you"
 That was all. yet cannot ftly ex- press the comfort, the encouragement, these few falteringly spoken words brought to me. They were so unex- pected, SD significant of the final awakening of her more womanly na- ture. as to yield me instantly a fresh vision of the girl. She had recognizeo kindness. even in an enemy, and had proved fair minded enough to respond generously. Whatever might occur. between us hereafter. she would never be able to remember me as before. Yet I did not fatter myself that this slight outburst of gratitude would long endure. But l wondered vague ly if she was not secretly glad to be saved from Calvert Dunn even at so great cost.
 The return journey proved exceed. fngly slow. for the intense pain she suffered left her weak. Steady plod- ding brought us to the cleft in the rocks.
 tThis is the road. is it notT'
 "Yes; it is not f. now to Fairview."
 The path led downward, but not steepIy, winding somewhat crazily among rocks and trees. until we finally emerged upon the smooth grass land of the lower valley. The silence here was profound, the breeding night seem. ing even more dense and lonely than upon the open ridge above. I felt my uncertain way forward until the mar. row road suddenly ended before high gate. This succeeded in opening without much difficulty. and we fol. lowed a graveled driveway that led circling to the front of what appeared I~, +1y able size. 1t was wrapped in dark ness. As hesitated at the foot of the steps leading upward to the front door felt her extended hand touch my shoulder.
 What are you going to say-how explain my being here alone with your"
 glanced back toward her, wishing could read the meaning of her eyes, the expression of her face.
 'I was merely intending to name myself as a Confederate officer, a friend of Lieutenant Dunn, intrusted by him to bring you here for safety, owing to his having been suddenly or dered out on special duty"
 'And-and my accidentT'
 'Your horse stumbled in the dark l was compelled to convey you on my own"
 She drew deep breath of relief
 ''Yes. that will do-that will be best now; they need never know the whole truth"
 The expression of her face could not be seen. yet I knew she was leaning slightly forward. as though seeking vainly to decipher my features in the gloom.
 'I feel that you have sufficient req son to dislike me-" began, anxious to uncover. if possible. her true feeling.
 ''I know I have. and yet do not" she exclaimed impulsiveiy and as though surprised at her own frankness. T cannot explain why; l ought to hate you for what you have done. Yet in all this trouble you have proved your self kind, thoughtful. considerate, and I can only feel mortified, hurt and re- gretful at my present helplessness."
 ''It is very good of you to confess even that"
 '.I am simply accustomed to speak ing the truth under all circumstances. It is an unpleasant habit acquired in childhood. You are nothing to me and never can be. I would do everything in my power to thwart your present purpose. 1 believe l could shoot you down if I were still armed, and 1 know would denounce you here and now if there was any one at hand able to make you prisoner. We re- main enemies, but-but in some un- accountable way I cannot personally hate you"
 "You mean it is the Yankee and not the man you war against?"
 q am certainly enlisted against your cause. Nor have any real req son to respect you otherwise"
 You consider me guilty, then, of de- Iberate treachery toward you?"
 What was it except treacheryf You came to us falsely wearing that uniform which we respect; you came pretending to be another man; you obtained entrance to the sanctity of our home under an assumed name; you deliberately tricked me into most unhappy and compromising po- sition. Could any right minded wom- an ever forgive all this? Is what you have done justified even hv Yankee