The Washington times., 1913-09-08
CHAPTER XXIv.-(Continued.)

DETACHMENT of Confeder-
~ ates was busy with lanterns
n inspecting the dead and
wounded, who lay in great
heaps in the road. A sharp fire farther in
in the forest indicated that Colonel Led
yard had finally got his troops in hand.
and as he greatly outnumbered the
small Confederate force, he was at last
holding their advance in check. No
blame could have been attached TO him
for the ambush into which he had
fallen under such circumstances. After
the first shock of surprise was over he
rallied his men and was carrying out
the orders to check the advance of the
Confederates with the GOODNESS and pre-
cision of a veteran. Now that he knew
that the enemy was there, after dis
mounting his men be could play the
game of wild forest fighting in the dark
ss well as they.
Its woman, a lady. SIR" an
swered Captain Wilmington, lifting his
lantern higher. She says she has
message for General Stuart from Cen
eral Lee"
You may give me the message,
madam
Il will not: cannot give it to anyone
but the general. You must send me to
him at once,'
she's wounded" said Whittingtop.
in the shoulder.
Madam" said the colonel, getting
off his horse and kneeling beside her
as she lay half supported by the Con-
federate officer, lit is so; you have
bullet through your shoulder, and. bless
me, cash across your temple. You
are in no condition.
For Gods sake, sir, must get to
General Stuart if / die! 1 have come
through everything"
But that Yankee regiment?"
Il had to go with them. / will ex-
plain all to General Stuart. The fate of
the army depends"
What is your name?'
Grafton. Mrs. Philip Grafton"
Your husband is
"A captain on General Lees staff"
why, he was at General Stuart's
headquarters this morning colonel l
saw him there" said Wilmington.
Yes. yes" said Ariaone. Now will
you take me back"
'Where is the surgeon?"
Here. SIR said the doctor from a
nearby wounded man.
"Ah, doctor. here's a woman-'
What, SIR
Yes: see what you can do for her
quickly"
The physician came over and knelt
down beside Ariadne. slit her dress on
the shoulder. the right shoulder. this
time, and began hasty examination.
Wilmington said Col Green As the
doctor relieved the staff officer get
q horse somewhere. Ride back With
this lady to General Stuart, IL the doc
tor says she can go, that is"
Il must go,' said Ariadne, wincing
as the surgeon examined the wound.
It's only a flesh wound. madam
Your temple is grazed. too. What's the
matter with this arm?' he asked as he
noticed the bandage on the left arm.
That was from Yankee bullet this
afternoon" answered Ariadne, strug-
Cling desperately against an overwelm-
ing Inclination TO faint
Great heavenr' exclaimed the colo
mel, have you been shot at by both
sides?'
Yes"
DO you think she can go, doctor2"
dubiously. Here, take a swallow of
this"
For the second time that afternoon
Ariadne was revived by the whisky.
which she hated OF course. the stimu-
liant helped her, but only her iron reso-
luton carried her through. Her shoul-
der and her arm both pained her cx-
ceedingly. The bullet that had just
grazed her head gave her the most
suffering, however The skull had not
been fractured, but the conclusion had
throobed and beat until she was almost
insane
They had put her own saddle on the |
troop horse assigned 10 her, and knot |
ted the reins over the pommel. She was
unable to use her right hand and to /;
move her left WAS also difficult. Cap
tain Wilmington and a soldier rode On |
either side of her: the latter part CT |
ine Journey she rode with the captains