The Irish standard., 1911-10-07
he failed to show up on such an 90
casiOn as this"

He was unfortunate enough to be
sent out in the other direction with
dispatches goodnight, gentlemen"
1t was sweet music to me to 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
tho effort useless, as little more than
p shadow was visible. Yet 1t 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. Il fear you must DO quite
wearied by your long ride"
She turned slightly at sound of my
voice.
Not at all, sir: am merely eager
to push on. Besides, my ride has not
been a long one, as we merely came
from General Slgel's headquarters"
i The voice was PLEASANTLY modulated
and refined.
"Ah, yes, certainly" l stammered,
fearful lest I had made grave mis-
take. "But really had supposed
General Sigel was at Coulterville"
He advanced to Bear creek yes
terday," she returned quietly. 80
you see we had covered scarcely more
/ than three miles when We met. How
| r0npE fprthor &c fo uyho lott
Brennan is stationed?"
fear was guilty of hesitancy, but
1t was only for moment.
II am unable to tell exactly, for, as
1t chances. have never yet been in
, the camp, but l should Judge that two
hours riding will cover the distance"
why" in tone Of sudden surprise,
Captain Hale certainly told me It
was all of twenty miles!"
From Bear creek?" I questioned
eagerly, for 1t was my turn to feel
startled now. "The map barely makes
1t ten"
| 1T is but ten, and scarcely that, by
the direct White Driar road; or, at
at least, so I heard some of the
younger officers say; but it seems the
Confederate pickets are posted sol
close to the White Briar that my
friends decided it would be unsafe to
proceed that way"
/ This was news indeed-newB 80 I'M
expected and startling that l forgot
all caution.
"Then what road do they call this7"
No 1o,, ut
rance, as we'll as the eagerness of my
tone.
Really, you are a most peculiar
guide" she exclaimed gayly. you al
most convince me 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 tho Allentown pike"
Craig leaned forward 80 as to look
across her horses neck to where l
rode on the opposite side.
MAY speak word. sir?" he
asked, cautiously.
Certainly, sergeant; do you make
anything out of all this?"
/ - co. OIL Ao luSWCIcu SuROEly.
know now exactly how we missed 1t,
pnd where we are. The cutoff to tho
White Briar spoke to you about this
afternoon cannot be more than a hum
lred yards below here"
ride ahead carefully then, and SEQ
II you can locate it. Be cautious;
there may be q picket stationed there.
| Mo Vui11 holt u,h1
return"
He swung forward his carbine
where it would be handy for instant
service and trotted ahead into the
darkness. The woman's horse, being
comparatively fresh and restless.
danced little In an effort to follow.
but restrained him with light hand
on tho bit, and we sat waiting in 81
lence.
I YVES eager to be off, to make up
by hard riding the tedious delay OF
this nights work, and constantly lis
tening in dread for some sounds OF
struggle down the roadway But all
remained silent until could dimly
distinguish the returning hoof-beats
| VI luo sergeant uOISc, anu 81 hL1A.
ious was l to economic time that
was already urging our mounts for
ward when his shadow grew black In
front, and he wheeled In at my side.
mo picket, SIR"
Very we'll, sergeant: when We
come to the turn you are to ride few
rods in advance Of US, and will set
a good pace, for we must make up
for all this lost time.
very we'll, sir; here is the turn
to your right"
could dimly distinguish the OPEN
ing designated, and as we wheeled
into 1t he at once clapped spurs to his
horse and forged ahead. In another
moment he had totally disappeared,
and az I urged our reluctant mounts
to more rapid speed all sound of his
progress was instantly lost in the
pounding of our own hoofs on the
hard road.