Middletown transcript., 1911-10-21
~ThlFd on the left"

EUUB0 10dU anu d UdIA uA6ASs
"Beastly," assented the other, heart
Ily.
I fairly held my breath as Crait
rode forward. If one Of them shoulC
chaee to strike a match to light
pipe, or any false movement Of Craig.
should excite suspicion! If he should
even speak, his soft southern draw
would mean instant betrayal. AND
how eoolly he went at 1t; with
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
mp to our unwelcome guest, and lay
ing Arm hand upon her horses bit
let forth to where l waited. II was
quickly, nobIy done, and could have
Rugged the fellow.
well, good luck to you, major,
and a pleasant ride. Remember me to
Brennan. Deuced queer. though, why
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. I endeavored to scan
her figure in the blackness, but found
the effort useless, as little more than
q shadow was visible. Yet 1t was i'm
pressed upon me that she sat straight
and firm in the "addle, so l concluded
she must be young.
Madam" 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.
mot at all, sir; I 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" I stammered,
fearful lest l had made grave mis-
take. But really l had supposed
General Sigel was at CoulterVille."
"He advanced to Bear creek yes.
tsrday," 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 was guilty Of hesitancy, but
It was only for moment.
II am unable to tell exactly, for, as
It chances, / have never yet been in
the camp, but I 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 miles!"
From Bear creek% questioned
eagerly, for it was my turn to feel
startled now. "The map barely makes
1t ten"
''It 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 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-news so un-
expected and startling that I forgot
all caution.
"Then what road do they call this ?"
She laughed at my evident igno-
rance, as well 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, l am
able to enlighten you to some extent
We are now riding due southwark
along the Allentown pike"
Craig leaned forward so as to look
across her horses neck to where /
rode on the opposite side.
MAY speak q word, sir?" he
asked, cautiously.
Certainly, sergeant; do you make
out of all this?"
"Yes, sir" he answered eagerly. Il
know now exactly how we missed it,
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
If you can locate it. Be cautious;
there may be a picket stationed there.
We will halt where we are until you
He swung forward his carbine
where it would be handy for instant
service and trotted ahead into the
darkness. The woman's horse, being
fresh and restless,
danced little in an effort to follow,
but restrained him with light hand
On the bit, and we sat waiting, in Sc
lence.
was eager to be of, 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
of the sergeant's horse; and SO anx-
ous was l to economic time that
was already urging our mounts for
ward when his shadow grew black in
'ront, and he wheeled in at my side.
mo picket, sir"
VERY well, sergeant; when we
some to the turn you are to ride few
'ods In advance Of US, and will set
} good pace, for we must make up
or all this lost time.
VERY well, sir; here is the turn
o your right"
could dimly distinguish the OPEN
ng designated, and as we wheeled
nto it he at once clapped spurs to his
lorse and forged ahead. In another
moment he had totally disappeared,
Ind as urged our reluctant mounts
o more rapid speed all sound Of his
progress was instantly lost in the
pounding Of our own hoofs on the
ard road.
TO BE Continued