The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-02-03
here in his place.

heart throb.
"Wilkie," repeated the voice. doubt
) fully. There is no officer OF that
name in the Forty-third."
Well there chances 10 be such an
officer on the stan. retorted. permit.
ting trace OF anger TO appear in my
tone. and | am the man.
What the devil is the difference,
Hale. just what his name is?" doomed
deeper voice back in the group. we
are not getting up directory OF the
Sixth corps. or course he's the man
Brennan sent and that is all we've
got TO look after"
"Oh. all right. certainly, major" re-
turned the first speaker, hastily. but
the night is so cussed black | sup
posed we must be at least a mile this
side OF where we were 10 meet How
ever. we have the lady here for you,
all right, and she is anxious enough 10
get on"
The lady Heavens. What odd
turn OF fortunes wheel was this? The
lady heard Craig's smothered
chuckle, but before | had sufficiently
regained control over my own feel
ings 10 venture upon a suitable reply,
the entire party had drawn forward,
the leader pressing so close to my side
that | felt safer with my face we'll
shaded
Where Is your escort, MAORI" he
asked. and the gruffness OF his tone
put me instantly on defense
Just behind us, ] returned. with
affected carelessness. and determined
now to play out the game. lady or no
lady. was extremely sorry for her.
but the cause outweighed her comfort.
The sergeant and | rode out ahead
when We heard you coming. Where
is the LADY,"
lie glanced around at the group
huddled behind him.
Third on the left"
All right, then. Nothing else.
believe" for was eager TO get
away. Sergeant just ride in there
and lead out her horse We will have
10 be moving. gentlemen. for Il is a
rough road and a dark night"
"Beastly," assented the other, heart
lily
fairly held my breath as Craig
rode forward II one Of them should
chace TO strike match 10 light n
pine or any false movement OF craig's
should excite suspicion " he should
even speak, his soft southern drawl
would mean instant betrayal And
how coolly he went at e.; with a
sharp touch OF the spur, causing his
faded horse 10 exhibit such sudden
restlessness as 10 keep the escort
we'll TO one side. while J ranged close
up 20 our unwelcome guest and lay
ing firm hand upon her horses bit.
let forth 10 where / waited II was
quickly. nohly done, and | could have
Rugged the fellow
Well. good luck TO you, major.
and a pleasant ride Remember me 10
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"
II was sweet music to me 10 listen
70 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 | endeayored 10 scan
her figure IN the blackness. but found
the effort useless. as little more than
a shadow was visible Yet II was inn
pressed upon me that she sat straight
and Arm in the saddle. so | concluded
she must be young
Madam" began, seeking TO feel
my way with caution into her conf
dence. 81 fear you must be quite
wearled by your long ride"
She turned slightly at sound OF my
voice
Not at all. sir: am merely eager
TO push on. Besides. my ride has not
been long one. as we merely came
from General Sigels headquarters
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined
All yes. certainly" | stammered.
fearful lest had made a grave mis-
take. But really had supposed
General slgel was at Coulterville."
"He advanced to Bear creek yes
terday," she returned quietly so
you see we had covered scarcely more
than three miles when we met How
much farther Is It TO where Major
Brennan is stationed7"
! fear was guilty Of hesitancy. but
IL was only for a moment
Il am unable TO tell exactly. for. as
Il chances, have never yet been in
the camp, but | should Judge that two
hours riding will cover the distance"
Why" In tone OF sudden surprise.
Captain Hale certainly told me Il
was all OF twenty miles,"
From Bear croek?" / questioned
eagerly. for Il was my turn TO feel
startled now. "The map barely makes
Il ten"