Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-03-22
CHAPTER xvIl.-continued.

says she Will save him.
CHAPTER xvII.-continued.
Colonel Curran Is certainly to be
congratulated upon having found SO
charming a guide, madam, aid l can
assure o l shall most gladly do my
part toward the success Of the expedi-
ton. The Major was expected back
before this. I believer
"He left word that II he had not
returned by twelve I was to wait for
him no longer. al he should go directly
to his quarters. / find the life of a
soldier to be extremely uncertain"
I'VE are our country's servants,
madam" he replied proudly, and then
taking out a pad of blanks from his
pocket, turned to me.
May I 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 it to me.
That will take you safely through
our inner guard lines" he said grave
ly, that being as far as my jurisdic-
ton extends. Goodnight, Colonel:
goodnight, Mrs. Brennan"
We bowed tremendously, and the
next moment Mrs. Brennan and i
were out upon the steps, breathing
the cool night air. l glanced curious
" at her face as the CLEAN of light
fell upon it-how calm and reserved
sho appeared, and yet her eyes were
aglOw with intense excitement. At
the foot of the steps she glanced up
1T the dark, projecting roof far above
M.
DO yeu suppose he car possibly be
mp there YETI" she asked. in a lone
&C low as to be %inaudible to the ears
Of the sentry.
who? Bungay?" / questioned in
surprise, for my thoughts were else
there are trees at the rear. Prob
ably he is safe long ago. or else
q prisoner once more"
Beyond the CLEAN OF the uncovered
wtndowc all was wrapped in complete
darkness. save that here and there
we could distinguish the dull red
glare Of camp-flres where the company
cooks yere yet at work, or some
sentry post had been established. We
turned Sharply to the left, and pro-
ceeded down q comparatively smooth
road, which seemed to me to possess
q rock basis, 1t felt - hard. From
the position Of the stars l judged our
course to be eastward, but the night
was suficiently obscured to shroud
all objects more h a 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 to
me as we passed beyond the narrow
o n of light, and unconsciously we
fell into step together.
A few hundred yards farther q fire
burned redly against a pile of logs.
The forms Of several men lay out
stretched beside 1t, while . sentry
paced back and forth, in and out OF
tho range Of light. We were almost
upon him before he noted our APP
proach. and in his haste he swung his
musket down from his shoulder until
the point Of its bayonet nearly
touched my breast
'Halt!" he cried sternly. peering at
nc In evident surprise, Halt! this
road ID closed"
Valley Forge" whispered the girl,
and ! noticed how white her lace ap-
psared in the flaming Of the fire.
THE word is all right, Miss" re
turned the fellow. stoutly. yet with
out lowering his obstructing gun. "But
We cannot pass any one out ON the
countersign alone. II you was going
the other way 1t would answer"
But we are returning from the off,
Gers ball" she urged anxiously, and
are on our way to Major Brennan's
quarters. We have passes"
Az she drew the paper from out her
glove one of the men at the fire
6prang to his feet and strobe across
the narrow road toward US. He was
smooth Of face and boyish looking.
but wore c~orporAl's stripes.
What Is It. Mapes?" he asked
sharply.
without waiting an answer no took
the paper she held out and scanned
& Rapidly.
This Il al right. he said, handing
it bAck. and lifting hin cap IN salute.
You may pass. madam You must
pardon %, but the orders are exceed
lngly strict tonight. Havs you pass
also, Colonelf" I handed It to him, and
aftsr : single glance Il was returned
pas them, guard" he said curt
~. standing aside.
Beyond the radiance Of the fire she
broke the silence
- shalI onIy Sc able to 10 with you