The Springfield herald., 1912-10-04

| TestiPe animal, startled Dy the uiB Vi
the spur, the yells. the waving OF
arms. refused to face the tumult. and
whirled madly about For a moment
l all but lost control, yet even as he
plunged rearing into the air. l saw be
fore me the appealing face OF WON
an. How she chanced to be there
alone. in the path Of that mob.
know not; where her escort had dis
appeared. and how she had become
separated from her party. has never
been made clear. But this saw. even
as struggled with the hard-mouthed
brute under me-a slender. giriish fig
ure attired as a lady Of the Blended
Rose, a white. frightened face. arms
outstretched, and dark blue eyes be-
seeching help. Already the front OF
the mob was upon her, unable to
swerve aside because of the thousands
pushing behind, In another moment
she would be underfoot, or hurled into
the air. Reckless of all else. dug
in my spurs. yelling to the Light Ora
goon beside me, even as my horse
leaped. scarcely know what hap.
pened, or how 1t was &C ccomplished-
only had the reins gripped in my
teeth, both my hands free. That In
stant ! caught her; the next she was
on my arm. swung safely to the saddle.
held to me with grip of steel. the
animal dashing forward beneath his
double burden into the open field
Then the dragoon. riding madly.
gripped the bit. and the affair was
over. although we must have gal
| h,,p I'd h1f@ I4
trembling horse was brought to a
stand. Leaving him to the control OF
the soldier. ! sprang to the ground.
bearing the lady with me. We were
behind one Of the pavilions, facing the
house. and she reeled as her feet
touched the earth. SO that l held her
from falling. Then her lashes lifted,
and the dark blue eyes looked into my
face.
You must pardon my roughness"
apologized, but there was no time
for ceremony"
She smiled. a flood of color coming
back into the clear cheeks. as she
drew slightly away.
Il appreciate that. SIR" frankly.
shaking out her RULED skirts. land
|
Then" ventured. may hope to
receive the reward, fair lady?"
She laughed. little tremor of ner
vousness in the sound. but her eyes
full of challenge.
And what is that?"
Your name; the hope OF better &C
quaintance."
Her eyes swept my uniform ques
tioningly.
You are not of the Garrison?"
mo; courier just arrived from
New York"
Yet an officer; surely then you will
be present tonight?"
THE privilege is mine: II sufficient.
ly tempted l may attend"
Tempted! How. sir?"
by your pledging me a dance"
She laughed again. one hand grasp
ing the long silken skirt.
You ask much-my name, a better
acquaintance. dance-all this 70,
merely saving me from a mob You
are not modest knight. fear Sup
pose refuse?"
Then am l soldier enough to come
unasked. and win my welcome"
81 thought as much" the LONG
lashes opening up to me the depths
of the blue eyes. 81 promise nothing
then, nor forbid. But there Is Captain
Grant seeking me. II do not speak
OF gratitude. 1t is nevertheless in my
heart. SIR" she swept me curtsey. to
which bowed hat in hand, land now
au revoir."
stood as she left me. staring while
she crossed the lawn and Joined a
dark-faced officer OF Rangers Once
she glanced back over her shoulder
and then disappeared in the crowd
OF revelers.
had not intended to remain In
Philadelphia through the night Al.
ready l had secured the information
sought, and now must consider the
safest and quickest method of escape.
1t seemed to me this night, given up
to revelry. afforded the best possible
opportunity for my safely passing the
British guard lines. Tomorrow disci-
pline would be resumed, the soldiers
would return to their posts and the
citizens of the city would again ap-
pear on the streets. This would great.
ly intensity my danger. for. at any
moment, might encounter some one
who knew me. who might denounce
me TO the authorities.
That this was the exact truth OF the
situation could not be denied, yet
now. every reckless impulse of my
disposition urged me to remain; the
invitation Of those laughing blue eyes,
the challenge l read in the lady's fair
face. the unsolved mystery uf her iden-
tity, all combined in a temptation
found it impossible to resist For a
dance with her. possible understand
ing. was willing to venture life itself
1t must have been nearly nine
O'Clock when. in company with a
young cornet, I rode up to the house
given up to festivities. and. turning
over our horses to the care of cavalry
grooms, climbed the wide steps to the
door leading into the hall.
All was a riot of color. rich. bewil-
dering. with smiling faces, and laugh
ing lips everywhere. In such a spot.