The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1912-02-16
CHAPTER Xxx.


felt positively happy then. The
thrill of successful achievement was
nine and with the exultation OF
soldier in having surmounted OBJ.
stacles and peril. nearly forgot for
hs moment the heart tragedy left be.
mind. The swift impetus OF the ride,
The keen night air sweeping past me,
ths fresh sense Of freedom and power
sugendered by that reckless dash
through the darkness. all conspired to
render me neglectful OF everything
ave the JOY Of present victory The
spirIt Of wild adventure was In my
blood
A dozen splits OF fire cleaved the In.
tsnse blackness behind, and knew
be widely scattered patrol we're send.
iug chance shots across the stream,
A clang of hoofs rang out upon the
rocks but could distinguish moth
Ink indicating a large pursuing party
probably the two who we're mounted
At the ford, with possibly others fol
lowing when they caught their strayed
uorses. | had little to fear from such
halfhearted pursuit as this was sure
to be. The swift. powerful stride Of
the animal | rode assured me that
was not Ill mounted, and there was
small chance of contact with Federal
ourlders before | should reach the
protecting picket lines Of our own
army. laughed grlmly as | leaned
sIghtly back In saddle and listened;
Il was like q play, 30 swift and ex'
citing had been the passing events,
10 unexpected their ending. | won.
dered what plausible story the dis.
comfted lieutenant would concoct to
account for his predicament, and
whether the others had yet missed me
back at the Mansion House.
The stars appeared to be pallng
somewhat down In. the east, for the
coming day-dawn was already whiteu.
Ing the horizon. glanced at my
watch, yenturing to strike a match
for the purpose. and found the hour
after three o'clock. Early, knew,
was at Sowder Church, and his ad-
vance cavalry pickets ought TO be as
far west as the Warrentown road.
The distance between. by hard riding.
might be covered In three hours. Ny
horse seemed fresh, his breath came
naturally and without effort, and |
pressed him along rapidly, for my
whole ambition now centred upon
bringing the information | possessed
within our own lines. Bungay, be-
yond doubt, had been recaptured long
since, for my own experience told me
how extremely vigilant were the Fed
eral guards. To one unacqualnted as
he was with military customs Il would
prove impossible to penetrate their
lines; hence, everything must depend
upon my getting through In safety.
Then my thoughts drifted to the
one had left in such serious predica'
ment. II | had loved her before. |
loved her doubly now. for she had
proven herself a woman among WON
en- in time OF danger and trial. How
clearly her face, with those dark
sweet eyes and the wealth Of crown
lng hair, rose before me, while word
py word | reviewed all that had passed
between us, dwelling upon each look
OF accent that could evince her pos
sDle interest In me. Then reason re-
turned to my aid. and resolutely, de-
'efmlnedly. inspired by every instinct
VI soldierly honor, resolved that |
would put her from my thoughts for
ever She was not mine either to love
VI possess, unless the uncertain fate
VI war should chance to set her free,
lVeh to dream Of her, to cherish her
ID memory while she remained the
wue OF another, was but an affront to
uer purity and womanhood. | would
prove myself a man entitled to her
respect a soldier worthy my service
auu corps; if ever again my name
enanced TO find mention in her pres
euce 1t should be spoken with honor.
was musing thus, lulled by the
sVeauy lope of my horse, and totally
'-senslble to any possibility OF peril,
"ueh clear upon my ears, instantly
weakening me from such reverie,
.uere rang through the night silence
.ue sharp clang of iron on the road
pehlnd me. All sound of pursuit had
.uus since died away, and supposed
.ue effort to recapture me had been
avandoned. But there was no mis-
aning now-at least one horseman,
suing recklessIy through the black
s --isAa