Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-12-27
cHApTER xvII-contInued.

CHAPTER xvll.--contInued
Colonel Curran is certainly TO be
congratulated upon having found SO
charming a guide, madam. ard can
assure you I shall most gladly do my
part toward the success OF the expedi.
ton The Major was expected back
before this. believer"
''IIe left word that If he had not
returned by twelve I was to wait for
him no longer. as he should go directly
TO his quarters I find the life Of
soldier to be extremely uncertain"
I'VE are our country's servants.
madam" he replied proudly. and then
taking out a pad OF blanks from his
pocket, turned to M
MAY ! ask your full name and
rank Colonel?'
Patrick L. Curran, Colonel, Sixth
Ohio Light Artillery"
He wrote 1t down rapidly, tore of
the paper. and handed It 20 me.
THAT will take you safely through
our inner guard lines" he said grave
ly. that being as far as my iurisdic.
ton extends. Good night. Colonel;
goodnight. Mrs. Brennan"
We bowed tremendously, and the
next moment Mrs. Brennan and
were out upon the steps, breathing
the cool night air. ! glanced curious.
ly at her face as the CLEAN of light
fell upon it-~how calm and reserved
she appeared, and yet her eyes were
aglow with Intense excitement At
the foot Of the steps she glanced up
at the dark. projecting roof far above
us.
DO you suppose he can possibly be
up there YETI" she asked. in a tone
3, low as TO be inaudible to the ears
of the senSry.
who? BGngay?" questioned in
surprise, for my thoughts were else
where "Oh, he was like a cat, and
there are trees at the rear. Prob.
ably he IS safe long ago, or elso
a prisoner once more"
Beyond he s.eam Of the uncovered
window all was wrapped in complete
Darkness, save that here and there
we could distinguish the duh red
glare Of camp.fires where the company
cooks "cre yet at work. or some
sentry post had been established. We
turned Sharply to the left. and pro
ceeded down a comparatively smooth
road, which seemed to me to possess
rock basis. II felt hard. From
the position OF the stars | judged our
course TO be- eastward, but the night
was sufficiently obscured TO shroud
all objects more than few yards dis
tant. Except for the varied camp
noises ON either side OF us the eve
ming was oppressively still. and the
air had the late chill of high attitudes.
Mrs. Brennan pressed more closely TO
me as we passed beyond the narrow
zone of light. aud unconsciousIy We
fell into step together
a few hundred yards farther fire
burned redly against a pile of logs.
The forms OF several men lay out
stretched beside It. While sentry
paced back and forth, IA and out OF
the range of light. We were almost
upon him before he noted our ap.
proach. and In his base he swung his
musket down from his shoulder until
the point of its bayonet nearly
touched my breast.
HALT" he eried sternly, peering at
" In evident Surprise Halt this
road is closed"
valley Forge" whispered the girl,
and noticed how white her face APP
peared in the flaming of the tire
THE word is all right. Miss re-
turned the fellow. sloutly yet with.
out lowering his obstructing gun. But
we cannot pass any one out ON the
eountersign alone. If you was going
the other way Il would answer"
''But we are returning from the off
GERS ball" she urged anxiously. "and
are on our way TO Major Brennan S
quarters We have passes"
AS she drew the paper from out her
glove one of the men at the fire
syrang to his feet and strobe across
tho narrow road toward US. He was
smooth Of face and boyish looking,
but wore corporars stripes.
What is 1t. Mapes?" be asked
sharply.
Without waiting an answer he took
the paper she held out and scanned
it rapidly.
"This is all right. he said. handing
# back, and lifting his cap in salute.
you may pass, madam. You must
pardon US, but the orders are exceed
tngly strict tonight. Have You pass
also, Colonelf'' handed 1t TO him, and
after single glance 1t was returned
Pass them. guard" he said curt
~. standing aside.
Beyond the radiance OF the fire she
broke the silence.
Il shall only be able TO go with yo1
so far as the summit o. the hill yon
der. for our quarters are just to tbs
right, and could furnish no excuse
for being found beyond that point
aha sale DO you know enough o