The Washington times., 1913-09-08

l snOulQer. In no other way cOulQ sne
Sit on her horse. The captain was
officer In the Confederate army as well,
she reflected. Philip would proba bly, be
ragingly jealous IL he had seen her thus
supported. but there was no help for it.
| After riding, II seemed to her hours,
through the blackness. she suddenly
caught sight Of a light among the
trees far ahead. Really she had only
come about q mile and a half from the
place of the ambush. The light came
from stuart's camp. The scene was pic
turesque and peaceful. Around the fire
| a little group Of men was congregated.
Some lay on the ground, others sat with
| their backs against the trees. One Of
them was strumming q banjo and sing
| ing song with curious refrain:
III you want to have good time,
Jine the cavalry, .E.
Jine the cavalry.
Bully, boy, hey"
Back Of this group could be dimly
seen the heads Of the regiments, the
men standing by their horses at ease
Off to the right of the men cleaned
grim-looking cannon reflecting the
light from their polished brass mus
zles. The peculiar odor of chicory
boiling over the fire met them as they
approached. The light was low upon
were shfouded in an intenser black
ness overhead. The effect was strange
and beautiful, but Ariadne had no
eyes for it then.
We're here: ma'am." said Whiting
ton. gently. There. by the fire yonder,
is General Stuart" a.
As the three horses came into the
light the group around the fire caught
sight Of them. A tall man seated on a
log with his back against the tree,
sprang to his feet and stepped toward
the newcomers. shading his face with
Whom have we here" he exclaimed.
BY heavens, Whiting on and a wom-
Help her down. gentlemen" said
Wilmington. ''She has a message for
you. general"
The general sprang to the side of
Adriadne's horse. He fairly lifted her
reeling. he held her tightly.
Whisky" he cried.
No" said Ariadne. I've had enough
whisky; let me down. Give me q
drink Of water"
She knew that she was going to die,
she could keep up until she had de-
ivered her message. With coats and
saddles the men Of the staff made a
seat for her on a log backed by a tree
near the camp fire. Some one brought
her cool water from a nearby spring.
They waited Until she drank, wetted
her face.
VIII you have a cup of coffee, mad
am, only it's chicory?" asked the chief
officer
you General Stuart?" she asked, look
ing up At the tall blond figure. bending
over her.
Il am; what can I do for you"
General Lee Is moving toward
Spottsylvania Courthouse. He got your
message that the Federals were con-
verging upon that point also He
orders you to send a division UP the
Broc.. road, dismount them throw I'D
breastworks, and to hold back the
Union advance as long as possible"
The general listened In silence The
ssan crowded around In breatkless at
tention.
That's not ALL" continued Ariadne,
after taking another swallow of water;
another division is to be sent over to
Shady Grove Church road to hold
II and the Catharpin road. IL possible
march toward Spottsylvania Court
house by way OF the Shady Grove
Church. BY morning all of General
Lees corps will be moving. You are
not 10 try TO cut Grants communica-
tions. It's more important to hold
these roads, TO give General Lee time
to get. to Spottsylvania Courthouse be-
fore the Federa!s. than anything else
Wait. there's something more. He
thinks that the Federal troops NAV
move down the Piney Branch Church
road. so you are to be careful not to
be taken in flank there. You are to
be sure to nght dismounted, for II you
charged the Federal cavalry. although
be in condition TO Withstand the ad-
vance of the infantry supports You
are to fight to hold them back to the
last gasp. That's ALL
Madam. who are you that you de-
liver such message?" asked Stuart |
My name is Grafton. am the wife /!
of Captain Philip Grafton of General |
He's got a wife to proud OF.
then" said Stuart. But have you any |
written orders?:
bally to Captain Grafton this noon
How do you happen to transmit !
them
He was captured by squadron of !
the Catharpin road. two miles below
Todds Tavern. this afternoon. I es-
caped-rather. they didn't think me i'm
portant enough to detain me as a
prisoner. Ny husband gave me the !
message to deliver to you at all haz- !,
ards-for the sake of the army. for |,
the sake of the Confederacy, for the !
sake of his honor"
How did you get through the
Union lines at the tavern?"
II fell in with a body OF scouts from
General Early's corps"
But General Early has no corps"
He was appointed today in place of
General Hill. who is i'll. They were
looking for a road and captured me-
We made up a ruse by which they pur-
sued me nearly into the Union lines.
The Union troops came out TO fight
them and got this wound in my arm
here"
What was the name of the Confed-
crate officer?" -
"Elson."