Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-03-21

the solid earth under her horses feet.
quenched even in such as she seemed
to be.
Genuine surprise brought the red
back into his face and made 1t. worn
, as 1t was, seem almost handsome.
The curious idea came to her that
she had seen him before somewhere
At the same moment speech seemed
TO tremble on his lips; he hesitated,
looked at her with a new and sud
| den keenness, and stood looking.
II expected to meet somebody here"
he said at length.
She did not seem TO comprehend.
II expected TO meet a woman
here"
who? Me?" incredulously.
He looked her over for while
carefully; looked at her dusty bare
ankles, at her Walnut-smeared face
and throat. She seemed so small,
so round-shouldered so different
from what he had expected They
had said that the woman he must
find was pretty.
Was yuh-all fiXin' to meet up with
me?'' she repeated with a bold laugh.
'1-don't know he said. by the
Eternal, | don't know, ma'am. But
I'm going to find out in right smart
time. Did you ever hear anybody
speak Latin?'
"suh?" blankly; and the audacity
faded.
'Latin?" he repeated, trifle dis
committed For instance, sic itur?' Do
you know what sic itur' means?"
''Sick-what, subj
:" Sic iturl' Oh, Lord, she is what
she looks likei" he exclaimed in frank
despair. He walked to the door,
wheeled suddenly came back and
confronted her.
Either ma'am, you are the most
consummate actress in this war
drama, or you don't know what I'm
saying, and you think me crazy.
" And now I'll ask you once for
all: Is this the road?'
The Special Messenger looked him
full In the eyes; then, as by magic,
the loveliest of smiles transfigured
the dull, blank features: her round
shoulders, pendulous arms, slouching
pose, melted away into superb sym
metry, quickening with grace and
youth as she Strengthened up and
faced him, erect, supple, laughing,
adorable.
sic itur-ad Astra," she said, de-
murely, and offered him her hand.
Continue" she added.
Good God!" he broke out hoarsely.
And suddenly she knew there was
nothing to follow except death-his
or hers-realized she made an awful
mistake-divined in one dreadful in
slant the unsupported counter mine
beneath her very feet-cried out as
she struck him full in the face with
clenehed fist, sprang back, whipping
the revolver from her ragged bodice,
dark eyes ablaze.
Now" she painted, hands high
and turn your backl Quickly!"
Too late" he said, heavily. But
I'd rather be you than l.
Look out that window, Messenger"
Put up your hands!"
No"
will you hold up your hands?"
mo, Messenger. And l.
didn't know IT was you when l came
here. It's dirty business for an off,
Ger"
The Special Messenger stole a swift,
sidelong glance toward the window,
hesitated, and, always watching him
warily, slid along the wall toward
the door, menacing him at every step
with leveled revolver. Then, at the
door, she cast one rapid glance at the
open field behind her and around. A
thrill of horror stiffened her. The
entire circle of the burnt clearing was
ringed with the gray pickets of rebel
cavalry.
Special Messenger" She turned,
pale as a ghost. 81 reckon we've got
you
YES" she said.
There was another chair by the
table-the only other one. She seated
herself. shaking all over. laid her re-
~ T.,
weapon, pushed Ii from her with n
nervous shudder. and. ashy of lip
and cheek, looked at the man she had
struck.
viii they-hang me?"
II reckon, ma'am. They hung the
other one-the man you took me for. "
will there be a-trial?"
"Drumhead. They've been
after you a long, long while"
"Then-what are you waiting for?"
He was silent.
"Then--if there is no chance"
He bent forward swiftly and
snatched her revolver from the table
as her small hand fell heavily upon
the SPOT where the weapon had rested
Would you do that?" he said In
low voice.
The desperate young eyes answered
him. And after throbbing silence,
Won't you let me?" she asked. ut
is indecent to h--hang a--woman-
before-men-"
He did not answer.
"Please-please- she whispered,
give it back to me--if you are a.
soldier. You can go to the
door and call them. Nobody
, will know. You can turn
your back. 1t will only take
second"
Messenger" he said once more, 81
did not know 1t was you | was to
meet Look at me, in Gods nameW
| She opened her eyes on him, then
raised her head.
DO you know me now?" he asked.
NO"
| "Lookn
| He touched the scar on his fore
head; but there was no recognition in
her eyes.