Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1915-07-29

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Yes, 1t is best" spoke the burgo
master, and the approving look In
his eve told that he appreciated my
desire TO run all the risk-for risk it
was.
There was a clear half-moon, and
the road was broad and even the first
part OF the journey. ! noticed my
companion SILVER as we diyerged into
more obscure bride paths.
Twice she urged up her horse and
kept close to mine. | saw that the
weird loneliness OF our environment
affrighted.
You must fall back" l spoke def
nitely, but pleasantly.
"But-but | fear-rI am afraid" she
demurNde
ut must be as l say" l insisted
1T is necessary to your safety. You
will appreciate what | say when the
journey is completed
She did not understand and bridled.
She fell back, but with an offended
look upon her face.
Twice up to midnight we came upon
friendly encampments. Ny credenr
tials passed US on. At the last place
the commandant read the safe con-
duct: "One Walworth Doty and wife.
Madam, | salute you"
She directed a flashing glance at
ma, as if arraigning me for an affront.
| met her glance steadily. That beau
tiful face enchanted me, but I tried
to act the guide under strict disci.
pline.
1t must have been three O'Clock in
the morning when we reached the
most difficult part of the route. Here
the road ran along" the edge of cliff.
| had been advised by Worst that the
enemy were likely to be prowling
about | thought Of that-and of the
load the pack horse carried. / IN
creased the space between myself and
my convoy. Her angry, yet anxious
sharply to have her maintain the dis
lance. She received it with a pout
and a toss of her head. Suddenly,
turning a curve in the rock-lined road,
there came a quick word:
Haiti"
made out an armed officer. He was
of the enemy. Beyond him, so feet
in a ravine, was temporary camp.
He kept a revolver and leyeled at me
as he grabbed out to seize the bride
on the pack horse.
The animal swerved, threw up ITS
head, curvetted past him and broke
into quite trot The officer turned
and leveled his weapon, intent on halt.
ing the fight with shot.
stop, Stop!" l shouted.
Too late! The well-aimed bullet
struck one of the packages on the
back of the horse, bored into 1t and
there was frightful defamation.
saw the officer. struck by huge
fragment of rock, fall prone and life
less. l saw the pack horse, blown to
atoms, go over the ledge into the
midst of the camp below. l heard
shrek and ran back to my charge.
you are hurt ?" | cried solicitously.
mo! No! But you" and l felt
the warm blood trickling from my fore
head. where a flying piece of rock had
struck me. Then I hurried on ner
horse and my own past the motionless
officer away from the camp.
what was it?" she shuddered, as
we deviated to a broader road.
Dynamite
She started and paled. Then she
insisted on binding up my wound with
lace scarf. She kept close beside
me.
And it was to shield me that YOU
took all the riskl" she murmured.
Within the hour we we're safe in
friendly hands. All her disdain and
coldness was gone now. She seemed
to look to me for help. l placed her
in kindly hands.
Within two days | located her ia
Their and mother. She insisted on my
taking her to them. Then that I be.
come their guest
And thus it was that out OF a great
war / won bride--no longer, how.
ever, my dear Lady Disdainl
Copyright 1915 by w. G. Chapman.l