Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-02-14
CHAPTER ul,-cOn,lnusd.


turn OF fortunes wheel was this7 The
lady. heard Craig's smothered
cbuckle 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 well
shaded.
Where Is your escort, MAORI" he
asked. and the grufness of his tone
put me Instantly on defense.
Just behind US" ! returned. with
affected carelessness, and determined
now to play out the game. lady OF 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
iR the lady2"
lie glanced around az the group
huddled behind him
Third on the left"
"An right. then. Nothing else. !
believer" for was eager to get
away Sergeant, Just ride in there
and lead out her horse. We will have
70 be moving. gentlemen. for II is
rough road and a dark night"
Beastly," assented the other. heart
fiy
J fairly held my breath as Craig
rode forward. II one OF them should
chace to strike a match to light a
pipe, OF any false movement OF Craig's
should excite suspicion! II he should
even speak. his soft southern drawl
would mean instant betrayal And
how ooolly he went at It. with a
sharp touch Of the spur. causing his
jaded horse to exhibit such sudden
restlessness as to keep the escort
well to one side. while : ranged close
up TO our unwelcome guest, and lay
ing firm hand upon her horses bit.
let forth to where waited It was
quickly. nobly done, and could have
Rugged the fellow.
Well good luck to you. major,
and pleasant ride. Remember me 10
Brennan. Deuced queer, though, why
he failed to show up on such an &C.
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 to listen
TO 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. ! endeavored to scan
her figure In the blackness. but found
the effort useless, as little more than
a shadow was visible. Yet 1t was i'm.
pressed upon me that she sat straight
and firm in the saddle. so concluded
abe must be young
Madam" began, seeking to feel
my way with caution into her conf
dence. Il fear you must be quite
wearied by your long ride"
She turned slightly at sound OF my
voice.
mot at all. sir; am merely eager
to push on. Besides. my ride has not
been long one, as we merely came
from GenSral SIgel's headquarters"
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined.
"Ah. yes, certainly" stammered,
fearful lest had made & grave mis-
take But really ! had supposed
General sigel was at Coulterville."
He advanced to Bear creek yes
terday," she returned quietly. 80
you see we had covered scarcely more
than three miles when we met How
much farther is 1t to where Major
Brennan is stationed?"
fear was guilty of hesitancy, but
1t was only for a moment.
Il am unable to tell exactly, for. as
1t 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 II
was all Of twenty miles!"
From Bear creek?" / questioned
eagerly, for It was my turn to feel
startled now. THE map barely makes
II ten"
1T Is but ten, and scarcely that, by
the direct White Briar road; or, al
Rt least, so | heard some of the
younger officers say; but 1t seems the
Confederate pickets are posted SO
close to the White Briar that my
friends decided 1t would be unsafe L
proceed that way"
This was news i9deed-news so un
expected and startling that / forEo
all caution.
Then what road do they call this ?
She laughed at my evident igno
rance, as well as the eagerness OF ny
tone
Really. you are a most peoulia
guide" she exclaimed gayly. "You al
most convince me that you are lost
Fortunately. sir. out Of my vast knowl
edge Of this mysterious region. an
able to enlighten you to some extent
We are now riding due southwar,
along the Allentown pike"
Craig leaned forward so as to lool
(k<Sbss her horses neck to where
ode on the opposite side.
May speak, a word. sir?" h
asked. cautiously.
Certainly, sergeant; do you maxi
anything out OF oil this?"
Yes, sir be answered eagerly.
know now exactly how we missed Il
and where we are. The cutoff to tn
White Briar | spoke to you about thi
afternoon cannot be more than hun
dred yards below here"
''Ride ahead carefully then, and sc