Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-09-08

over like yer sorrel did fer the las
two mile
We'll. Craig, you shall have both
horses. Ride the woman's. 1t is the
tresher of the two; but you are TO
get through If you kill them both and
then walk"
His face frightened. and he raised
his hand in salute.
And your" he asked, wonderingly.
Il remain with the woman; there
is no other way. Wait here a moment
while speak with her"
left him standing there, and moved
back to where she waited As came
up she faced me, and for the first time
tor the night had lightened some
WHAT could see her eyes and dis
Germ some faint outline OF her face
Where the night wind flung back the
I upturned cape. 1t was a winsome
sight to soldier vision. but with Ger.
tain semblance of pride and reserve
about it that caused hesitancy in my
speech strange to me.
Madam, ~ rested my hand upon
her horses name and looked at her
with glance as proud as her own
1T might be as We'll for you TO draw
the cape closer about your face at
present. There are rough men in all
armies who would consider your
beauty lawless prize. The life we
lead is not conducive to gentleness;
virtue is not born in camps, and 1t
would be better not to provoke a dan.
ger which may be so easily avoided
You claimed, | believe, to be an
officer and gentleman" she said
coldly.
chill of her words. and my purpose
stiffened within me-
Even as | yet claim, and trust to
be able to prove to your satisfaction"
my eyes looked unfalteringly into
hers-"but unfortunately, | have one
with me tonight who is neither
would that hes were for my own sake
However, madam, let that pass The
fact is here, and We have no time to
argue or quarrel ! have already told
you that We ride with dispatches for
Longstreet These must go forward
at all hazards, for thousands of hu.
man lives depend upon them; yet
dare not leave you here alone and un.
protected to the mercies OF the
wolves who haunt these hills"
Hyou nyooadipClv I.ipdp
The tone in which she spoke was
most sarcastic.
Il thank you for your appreciation,
and I bowed again; but venture to
tell you this merely because l have
already fully determined to dispatch
the sergeant forward with the mes.
sage, and remain behind myself to
render you every protection possible"
Very well, sir; | simply yield to
what l am powerless to avoid, and
will obey your orders however dis
tasteful they may be. What is your
first commando"
THAT you dismount. The sergeant
must ride your horse, as he is the
more fit of the two"
Greatly to my surprise and relief
she placed her gauntleted hand in
mine, and, without so much as word
of protest, permitted me to swing her
lightly from the saddle to the ground
Craig" | called, come here.
You know your work" said to
MIN Briefly. "And now the sooner
you are at it the better. Ride this
horse and lead your own. As soon as
you deliver Lees message at head
quarters, hunt up the cavalry brigade
commander and report to him my pc
sition Get detail, insist upon one
and be back here by tomorrow with
out fail That is ALL
He saluted, wheeled about, swung
lightly into saddle and rode off on a
rapid trot, grasping, as he passed
down the hill, the rein of his Own
mount, and leading it, tagging be
hind him, until the night swallowed
the figures, and even the sound of the
hoof-beats could be no longer heard.
We were alone.