The Washington times., 1913-09-02

IA mac had been checked or de-
feated, there had been q
long cessation of active hostilities.
Grant, so the young man reflected,
seemed to be made of sterner stun
than the others. He had been defeated
and had los terribly in his assaults
upon the Confederate lines; ana, ac-
cording to the hitherto invariaDie prac-
tice Of the Union commanders ne
should now be moving back across the
Rapidan to recuperate and reorganize
before trying again. but IL seemed that
he had not yet had enough OF II Wen,
the next battle would probably satsiy
him, and then, well. then perhaps Graf
ton might get leave OF absence ana 30
to seek her.
Where could she be? So he rode
along through the no spring afternoon
until he reached the Catharpin road.
Now it was just possible that the Fed
eraI troops rad seized Todd's Tavern
In force, and that Stewart had fallen
back, II that were the case, the Catn-
atpin road would not be a safe turning
for i1im. He had no means or deter
turned his horse TO the northeastwaro
and rapidly galloped on toward the
tavern. perhaps two miles away. IL ne
could get through that way. he could
save a long and costly detour ana
corresponding delay. He kept a sharp
road he stopped. cautiously examining
in front of him before he advanced
He met nothing, however. until he
vac within perhaps hree.quarteTs or
mile from the tavern. The road there
ran through a thick grove of trees ana
underbrush on TO the left small
neighborhood road branched from the
hiphway and meandered through the
tees until 1t was lost In a suoaen tuIn
IL or
up carefully. He saw and heard notn-
ir'g. A search Of the road In front re-
Yealed no one. He gathered up the
reins and spoke 10 his horse. wnen the
sound of a woman's scream Droke Ine
some distance away. II was q shriek
fraught with terror, and IL touched him
profoundly.
His natural instinct was to turn TO
the branch road and see what was the
matter, but II was a case where natural
Instinct had to give way before military
ex!gency. The message 20 Stuart was
vital. He could not play the wandering
knight to distressed women, however
coming battle by failing to carry the
order with the delivery of which he
was charged. Yet he hesitated when
the scream broke on his ears, and he
remained moment irresoiute He
heard the wild cry again. 1t appealed
TO him most powerfully. On the out
skirts of every array there were certain
masterless men of the basest sort, who
ravaged AND plundered indiscriminately,
who would not stop at robbery, or muir
der or even worse.
There was a woman in trouble. Some
of those fiends had her. She was fight
ing for what was dearer than life.
What horrors war brought upon those
who could not enlist in the ranks and
who were called, In mockery, non-con-
men, mothers, women. chill
dreRt God, IL was horrible, The sweat
beaded on his brow. yet with an aching
heart he turned and spoke to his horse
A black figure. tattered and torn. burst
through the bushes at that moment
II was an old negro. white-haired, his
face ashy under its pigment.
Fer Gawds sake. suh!" he cried. |
lifting his hands at he saw the horse
man, s-dey got my young mistis dar
an dey-fer de lub OF heabin', hits
Marse Phil"
"AEar cried Grafton. What are you
doing hereT'
Dem Yanks. dey got Miss 'Adny. Ef
you doan- |
Philip heard no more. Those screams |
came from the lips OF his wife; she II |
was who-it- was more than flesh and |
blood could stand. He turned. forgetful |
Of everything bur that she was in dead |
ly peril. He drove the spurs until the |
blood d-stained rowels sank deep into the |
tanks of his astonished horse. Sudden /
as released arrow from Its bow the /
horse leaped into the air and was away. |
Grafton loosened his revolver from Its ]