The Press., 1911-12-27
BOB MURRAY'S MISSION. And How a Girl Tried to
 Prevent 1t
 By E. A. NITCHEL Copyright by American Press Asso-
 ciatton, 1911.

deavoring to determine whether they
 belonged to what were then the Con
 federate states or to the Federal army
 There were about thirty of them, on'
 riding trifle ahead, half dozen next
 while the rest followed at a distanc'
 of about thirty paces. They carried
 no flag by which the side on whicl they fought might be recognized, bu
 instead of the dust colored appearance of Confederates they were of dark ish hue. indicating that they wore th'
 Federal blue. Had the girl been more familiar with soldiers she would have recognized them for a general, his staff and his escort.
 They came on up the gradual rise 1T the ground till they reached the house where their leader drew rein, and, see ing the girl on the veranda, said:
 Could we get some supper hereY'
 Alice Claybourne. like most of the young people of the south, had been captivated by the spirit of rebellion and her hatred for the invaders of heI beloved south was intense. But fl must be said to the credit of the south ern women, strong as was their ami. mostly against the Union soldiers, they had the good sense to give what they had to eat to their enemies whenever | it was applied for. Alice said that she would ask her mother and went inside, while the soldiers remained in their saddles without. She soon returned to say that there was very little to eat in the house, but they could have what there was.
 The general and his staff dismount- ed, gave their horses to the care of orderlies and went up on the veranda. The escort went into camp in the yard. Among the officers was a lieu tenant twenty-twO years old, who as he stepped up on to the porch where Alice stood looking forbildingly at the party, gave her one of those pleasant smiles that rest so becomingly on the lips of certain persons. Bob Murray in the uniform of a lieutenant and aid de-camp was in his element. He was handsome, reckless and imperturbable. No amount of fatigue could ruff1e his good nature, and that winning smile of his was ever present. Alice Clay bourne secretly surrendered to it, though Outwardly she steeled herself against it. She coldly turned away and went into the house.
 The general and his staff took up their headquarters in the house, the general occupying the parlor on the ground floor adjoining Alice's own room. Having partaken of the scant supper furnished him and his staff, he retired to the apartment and, calling his chief of staff, entered into consul tation with him. Between the parlor and Ahce's room was a door, and Al ice could hear their voices, though not what they said. But by standing on chair and listening at 8 transom she could hear every word.
 After prolonged dialogue the gen. eral called the orderly standing at his door and directed him to order Lieuten- ant Murray to report to him at once. Murray entered, and the general said to him:
 Lieutenant, we have another bit of secret service work for you tonight. Are you ready for itT'
 Always ready for anything you or der, general"
 "Well, have learned during the day that John Morgan has swooped around our Hanks and is making a raid in our rear. He is making a bee line for the wagon train, loaded with supplies for our troops in northern Alabama, and will doubtless reach it before tomorrow noon. I wish man to ride through tonight and order the cavalry at Shelbyvile to re-enforce the train guard. There are so many scattered Confederates and disloyal citizens between here and there that I doubt if a courier can get through except in multi, and l would suggest that you dress yourself as country lad and work your way in that disguise"
 ''Yes, general"
 After some conversation as to route, time of starting, etc., Murray left his commander to make his preparations for the journey. He well understood the danger, for, since he bore written information and a written order, while in disguise, If captured, he was sure to be hanged for a spy. But he had secuted both in uniform and in dis guise and had become somewhat ac- customed to the risk. About o'clock, dressed in a butternut suit, he mount ed a horse on which a sheepskin had been strapped in lieu of a saddle and started down the road.
 At the Same time Alice Claybourne Issued from the barn in the rear of the house and, striking lane running parallel with the road, started in the same direction as the young officer. Half a mile from the starting point the lane joined the main road, and Alice found herself just far enough be- hind Murray not to attract his atten tiOn.
 It was the middle of June, and the sun had not yet set. As the young man receded farther from the house Alice gradually drew up to him. Pres ently, hearing her horses hoofs beat ing on the road behind him, he turn ed with that anxiety natural to one liable to be followed and attacked. Seeing girl coming and recognizing the one he had just left, he drew rein ! But instead of the smile he usually ! wore there was a frown. He sus- pected at once that she was bent on in- | terfering with his mission. But when l he turned to her again all vistage of displeasure had vanished.
 ''Where are you going in that but | ternut suit?" she asked.
 ''On military duty, of course. And where may you be goingT'
 "I'm going with you"
 "What forP' 'I know your mission. overheard | the general giving it to you. am go- ing with you to prevent its accom- plishment."
 q like you for that" he said, his | smile returning. "You are true and | brave southern girl"