Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-11-17

see you are already acquainted. was
to pass the night at the Majors quar-.
tiers, and as he has not vet returned.
the duty has naturally devolved upon
me TO see our guest safely deposited.
We are at the Mitchell House. you
remember which is beyond the inner
lines; and while. of course, | have
been furnished with a pass" she held
up the paper for his inspection, and
have been also instructed as to the
countersign, | fear this will scarcely
suffice for the safe passage of the
Colonel"
The General laughed good-humored.
ly, evidently pleased win her assump
ton of military knowledge
Colonel Curran is certainly to be
congratulated upon having found so
charming guide, madam, and I can
assure you | shall most gladly do my
part toward the success of the expedi.
ton. The Major was expected back
before this, l believer"
He left word that if he had not
returned by twelve | was to wait for
him no longer, as he should go directly
to his quarters. ! find the life of a
soldier to be extremely uncertain"
I'VE are our country's servants,
madam" he replied proudly, and then
taking out pad of blanks from his
pocket, turned to me.
May l ask your full name and
rank, Colonel?"
Patrick l.. Curran, Colonel Sixth
Ohio Light Artillery
He write it down rapidly. tore off
the paper, and handed it to me-
That will take you safely through
our inner guard lines" he said grave
ly, chat being as far as my jurisdic-
ton extends. Goodnight, Colonel;
goodnight, Mrs. Brennan"
\ We bowed tremendously, and the
next moment Mrs Brennan and
were out upon the steps, breathing
the cool night air. l 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
so low as to be inaudible to the ears
of the sentry.
Who? Bungay?" l 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 else
a prisoner once more"
Beyond the CLEAN of the uncovered
windows all was wrapped in complete
darkness, save that here and there
we could distinguish the dull red
glare of camp-fires where the company
cooks were yet at work, or some
sentry post had been established. We
turned sharply to the left, and pro
ceeded down comparatively smooth
road, which seemed to me to possess
a rock basis, it felt so 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 a 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, and unconsciously we
fell into step together.
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, in and out OF
the range of light. We were almost
upon him before he noted our ap'
proach, and in his haste he swung his
musket down from his shoulder until
the point of its bayonet nearly
touched my breast
Halt" he cried sternly, peering at
us 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 fire.
"The word is all right, Miss re-
turned the fellow, stoutly, yet with
out lowering his obstructing gun. But
we cannot pass any one out ON the
countersign alone. If you was gong
the other way it would answer.
"But we are returning from the OIL
GERS ball." she urged anxiously, and
are one our way to Major Brennans
quarters. We have passes.
AS she drew the paper from out her
glove one of the men at the fire
sprang to his feet and strobe across
the narrow road toward us. He was
smooth of face and boyish looking,
but wore corporars stripes.
what is it, Mapes?" he asked
sharply
Without waiting an answer he took
the paper she held out and scanned
it rapidly.
This is all right" he said, handing |
it back, and lifting his cap in salute