Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-04-17
CHAPTER xVll.-contlnued.


Colonel Curran Is certainly to be
congratulated upon having found so
charming a guide, madam, a-d can
assure you shall most gladly do my
part toward the success OF the expedi-
ton. The Major was expected back
before this, / believer"
He left word that II 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
soldier to be extremely uncertain"
We are our country's servants.
madam" he replied proudly, and then
taking out a pad OF blanks from his
pocket, turned to me.
May ! ask your full name and
rank, Colonel"
Patrick l.. Curran Colonel, Sixth
Ohio Light Artillery"
He wrote It down rapidly, tore of
the paper, and handed 1t to me.
That will take you safely through
our inner guard lines" he said grave
ly, that being as far as my iurisdic.
tion 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 ! 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
81 low as to. be inaudible to the ears
Of the sentry.
Who? Bungay?" | 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
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 Tere yet at work, or some
sentry post had been established. We
turned Sharply to the left, and pro-
ceeded down a comparatively smooth
road, which seemed to me to possess
a rock basis, 1t felt e. hard. From
the position Of the stars l judged our
course to be eastward, but the night
was sufficiently obscured to shroud
all objects more than 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 ia
me as we passed beyond the narrow
zone Of light, and unconsciously we
fell into step together,
A few hundred yards farther a 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
preach. and in his has.e he swung his
musket down from his shoulder unit
the point of its bayonet nearly
touched my breast.
Halt" he cried sternly, peering al
W. in evident surprise, Halt! this
road is closed"
valley Forge whispered the girl
and ! noticed how white her face ap
peared in the flaming of the fire.
The word is al right, Miss" re
turned the fellow, stoutly, yet with
out lowering his obstructing gun. "Bu
we cannot pass any one out on thu
countersign alone. If you was goini
the other way 1t would answer"
But we are returning from the off
GERS ball" she urged anxiously. "ant
are on our way to Major Brennan
quarters. We have passes"
AS she drew the paper from out he
glove one of the men at the fir,
sprang to his feet and strobe acros
the narrow road toward us. He wa
smooth of face and boyish looking
but wore corporaIs stripes.
What is 1t, Mapes?" he aske
sharply.
Without waiting an answer he tool
the paper she held out and scanne,
II rapidly.
This is all right" he said handin
l.baNk. and lifting his cap in salute
AAouA Psy pass, madam. You mus
pardon us, but the orders are exceed
ingly strict tonight. Have you pas
also, COLONEL" handed it to him, an
after a single glance It was returned
Pass them, guard" he said cur
ly standing aside.
Beyond the radiance of the fire sh
broke the silence.
Il shall only be able to go with 20
so far as the summit o. the hill yOl
der, for our quarters are just to th
right, and l could furnish no excus
for being found beyond that point
she said. DO you know enough c