Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-11-01
CHAPTER lII.-continu.d.

regsined control over my own feel
tngs 70 venture upon a suitable reply.
the entire party had drawn forward.
the leader pressing so close to my side
that ! felt safer with my face well
shaded
Where is your escort. MAORI" he
asked. and the gruffness Of his tone
put me Instantly on defense
Just behind US" returned. with
affected carclessness. ard determined
now to PLAY out the game. lady or no
lady. ! was extremely sorry for her.
but the cause outweighed her comfort.
1.-The sergeant and | rode out ahead
when We heard you coming. Where
is the lady?"
He glanced around at the group
hudd'ed behind him.
Third on the left"
"All right. then. Nothing else.
believe:" for | was eager to get
away Sergeant. just ride in there
and lead out her horse We will have
TO be moving gentlemen. for ii is a
rough road and a dark night"
"Beastly." assented the other. heart
fly.
fairly held my breath as Craig
rode forward If one Of them should
chace to strike a match TO light
pipe. or Sny false movement of Craig's
should excite suspicion! II he should
even speak. his soft southern drawI
would mean instant betrayal And
how coolly he went at il; with a
sharp touch of the spur. causing his
jaded horse TO exhibit such sudden
restlessness as to keep the escort
well to one side. while ranged close
up to our unwelcome guest, and lay
ing firm hand upon her norse's bit.
let forth to where | waited II was
quickly. nobly done. and could have
Rugged the fellow.
We'll, good luck to you, major.
and a pleasant ride Remember me to
Brennan. Deuced queer. though. why
he failed 10 show up on such an oc-
casion as this"
HE was unfortunate enough 10 be
sent out In the other direction with
dispatches goodnight, gentlemen
1t was sweet music to me 10 listen
to their hoof- beats dying rapidly away
behind us as we turned back down the
dark road. the sergeant still riding
with his one hand grasping the
strangers rein. | endeavored to scan
her figure in the blackness. but found
the effort useless. as little more than
q shadow was Visible. Yet ii was i'm.
pressed upon me that she sat straight
and firm in the saddle. so concluded
she must be young
Madam" began. seeking to feel
my way with caution into her conf
dence. II fear you must be quite
wearied by your long ride"
She turned slightly at sound of my
voice.
mot at all, sir; am merely eager
to push on Besides. my ride has not
been a long one as we merely came
from General Sigel's headquarters.
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined
"Ah, yes. certainly" stammered.
fearful lest had made grave mis-.
take But really ! had supposed
General Sigel was at CoulterviIle."
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 is it to where Major
Brennan is stationed?"
fear I was guilty of hesltancy, but
It was only Tor momenl
Il am unable TO tell exactly, for. as
1t chances. | have never yet been IN
the camp but | should Judge that two
hours riding will cover the distance
why" in a tone OF sudden surprise.
Captain Hale certainly told me it
was all of twenty milesi"
From Bear creek?" | questioned
eagerly. for IL was my turn to teel
startled now. THE MAP barely makes
it ten
at is but ten. and scarcely that. By
the direct White Briar road: or. at
at least so ! heard some OF the
younger officers say: but 1t seems the
Cont ederate pickets are posted SO
close to the White Briar that my
friends decided it would be unsafe 20
proceed tnat way.
This was news indeed-news so un-
expected and startling that | forgot
all caution
Then what road do they call this7"
She laughed at my evident igno-
rance. as we'll as The eagerness OF my
tone
Really. you are most peculiar
guide" she exclaimed gayly. "You al.
most convince me that you are lost
Fortunately. sir. out Of my vast knowI-
edge OF this mysterious region. am
able to enlighten you to some extent.
We are now riding due scuthward
along the Allentown pike"
Craig leaned forward SO az TO look
across her horses neck to where
rode on the opposite side.
May speak a word. STRIP be
asked. cautiously.
Certainly. sergeant; DO you make
anything out Of all this2''
YES. sir" he answered eagerly Il
know nov exactly how we missed IL,
and where we are. The cutoff to the
White Briar spoke TO you about this
afternoon cannot be more than hun
dred yards below here"
Ride ahead carefully then. and see
n you can locate il Be cautious:
tAs-s =z- sa uicket stationed there.