Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1913-02-07
CHAPTER vi.
Shenandoah's Daughter.

CHAPTER vi.
Shenandoah's Daughter.
~RESENTLY aD orderly came In
H. with u telegram FROM General
Fisher to General Kelly. Its
purpert WAS that the ladies' bad
been sant south at their OWE request.
and 10 further Intervention would be
practicable.
"A pretty plight we're IMP exclaimed
Gertrude. more loudly than she was
aware. we can't 20 south, we can't
return nogth. and we cant remain
here"
"I'n tell you how you can get sent
on" said one Of the Federal guard.
.'You jest boiler for Jeff Davis. and
you'll get sent on quick enough"
"Hurrah for the Confederate fae|
cried Belle Boyd In shrill. sheer bra
vado.
Then, ~ nobody came in response.
she led the way back to General Kslly's
office.
ut was just a. feared, ladies'" said
that officer CALAMITY. Now. the only
thing can suggest II that maybe you
would be willing to take the oath OF
allegiance. That would simplify mat
tiers. What do you say?"
They said nothing. but followed the
general into an adjoining room. where
couple Of staff officers sat at writ
Ing desk Federal soldiers were loung-
ing all about. smoking and noise max
ing. A man at the desk started to read
the oath aloud. Before he had finished
the first sentence Belle Boyd cried out:
Great saints. It's the 'Ironcladr
I'VE won't listen TO it, declared G-'
truds promptly.
With that the two turned aud march
cd out of the room. A loud roar Oh
laughter went up. in which General
Kelly joined.
Just a. | expected" said he Il
thought you were game
Now. what next. general" asked
Belle Boyd eheeriiy.
IF We must DO hung. please notify
U.s." added Gertrude.
"Anothss alternative presents Itself"
the general wsat on. seriously enough
now. Strange 10 say. there appears to
be Washington end to tAis affair, and
/ am expecting shortly to get word
from headquarters. Ia any event. you
will have to stop here over night So II
you will make yourselves as comfort
able ~ circumstances permit we viii
hope for the best ana await develop
nents."
1t was late In the evening when next
they saw General Kelly. He handed
them 4 telegram which he had just
received from Washington. 1t read:
Miss Page and Mrs.. Snith are friends
of mine. See thsm through If you can
II not, will send on an officer to Har-
pers Ferry tonight. Answer.
BUcKTHoRN.
1T is from Major General Buck
thorn" explained General Kelly. And
here is a copy of my answer to him:
Will see them through. You need not
send. KELLY.
As soon as they were alone together
Belle Boyd asked Gertrude:
WHO on earth Is Major General
Ruckthorn? ] have never heard OF
him
II have replied Gertrude, land no
10 an influential Federal commander,
% you may we'll believe. But how he
ever know Of my being here in
seraps at Harpsrs Ferry and why he
comes 10 my rescue as friend In time
Of need, seeing we have never mes
Rsreonally. / can't for the life ct me
undsrstand-miess, unless Oh. l
wonder? But. tell mel am dying OF
curiosity abous that Confederate pris-
eneF who spoke to uS-Captain Thorn
ton, was 1t notr'
Yes You know him.
The Edward Thornton whom
knew In Charleston did not have thas
horrid scar On his face
ut comes In very we'll as dis
auiss, then. laughed Belle Boyd, Tor
Captain Thornton Is In the secret serV-
ice. He Is q comrads Of mine. and
am going to help him. This meetlne
has changed my plans. so you won't
mind going on alone from BerryVille'
will you, dsar3 ! mean Miss Page.
mo, except that shall miss your
companionship and the confidence you
inspire in ms-Mrs. Smith"
Here General Kelly's orderly came
to announce that az ambulance would
be ready to take the ladies' at day
break, and would they mind sharing
their room for the night with a lady
and her three children on their way
to Charleston
! The remainder of GnrtFude's journey