The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-02-10

rocks. but I could distinguish roth
.Eg indicating large pursuing party
probably the two who were mounted
1T the ford. with possibly others fol
lowing when they caught their strayed
horses. ! had little TO lie IT from such
half-Lelrted pursuit as his was sure
10 be. The swift, powerful stride of
tire animal ! rode assured me that
was rot Ill mounted, and there was
snail chance Of contact with Federal
CLtr!de rs before | should reach the
protecting picket lines Of our own
slightly back in saddle and listened:
IL was like play, SO swift ant ex-
citing had been the passing events.
so unexpected their ending. | won
dered what plausible story the dis
comfited lieutenant would concoct to
account for his predicament. and
w.ether the others had yet missed me
back at the Mansion House
The st.rs appeared to be paling
somewhat down in the east. for the
coming daydawn was already whiten-
ing the horizon. glanced at my
watch. venturing to strike a match
for the purpose, and found the hour
after three o'clock. Early. knew,
was at Sowder Church, and his adj
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. My
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 unacquainted as
h was with military customs 1t 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 If had loved her before. |
loved her doubly now. for she had
proven herself a woman among wom-
en- in time of danger and trial. How
clearly her face, with those dark
sweet eyes and the wealth of crown
ing hair rose before me. while word
by word reviewed all that had passed
between us, dwelling upon each look
or accent that could evince her pos
sible interes st in me- Then reason re-
turned to my aid. and resolutely. de-
terminedly. inspired by every instinct
of soldierly honor, | resolved that !
would put her from my thoughts for
ever. She was not mine either to love
or possess, unless the uncertain fate
Of war should chance to set her free.
Even to dream of her, to cherish her
il me mory while she remained the
wife of another. was but an affront to
her purity and wOmanhoOd. would
prove myself man entitled to her
respect. a soldier worthy my service
and corps: If ever again my name
CHANGED to find mention in her pres
ence 1t should be spoken with honor
! was musing thus. iulled by the
steady lope of my horse. and totally
i.-sensible to any possibility of peril
when clear upon my ears. instantly
awakening me from such reverie.
there rang through the night silence
the sharp clang of iron on the road
behind lie All sound Of pursuit had
long since died away. and | supposed
the effort to recapture me had been
abandoned But there was no mis-
taking now-at least one horseman,
riding recklessly through the black
The lieutenant" | thought. the
burning with anger at the
trick played upon him, has pushed far
ahead of his troop, doubtless mounted
Upon a better horse. determined to
'isk everything if he may only bring
ne back dead or alive"
This thought awoke me in an in
slant from my dreaming. and !
spurred my horse furiously. CHANGING
anxiOusly backwari as | rode, but I'M
able through that dense gloom tC dis
the form Oh my pursuer. Yet
the fellow was coming. coming faster
than any speed | could possibly con-
lure out of the weary black bestrode.
either by whip or spur. Closer and
closer upon me cane rushing down
that pounding of iron hoofs on the
hard ratn Heavens. how like d very
demon the man rode! AS trooper |
could not withhold admiration from
the reckless audacity with which the
fellow bore down upon me.
In spite OF my utmost efforts it al
most seemed as If we were standing