Evening star., 1935-07-07

and all OF his horses There were at
least hundred prisoners and one
hundred and fifty horses for the
twenty-nlne men to guard.
1t was so dark that the prisoners
did not know Mosby's men from their
own In the town there were several
hundred armed soldiers. but there was
no concert OF action among them.
The raid had been too audacious! One
Yankee private had yelled out Justify.
There are thousands OF these Johnny
Rebs!'
Just as the column and prisoners
and horses began moving away from
Fairfax Court house, Nelson hurried
back toward Nettie Johnstone's old
colonial home on main street.
He lifted the brass knocker. then
laid it silently back in place. The raid
on Fairfax had been audacious enough
but trying to see Gloria. who had so
plainly dismissed him forever from her
life, was sheer madness He had re-
traced his steps to the edge of the
porch when the door opened. and there
was rustling of silk
"Nelsonl Neson!'
Ames turned quickly on his spurred
heel He felt soft arms wreathed
around his shoulders in an ecstasy of
x~,.,;o, ,nd cDft cwaat I,v>e hana,th
his own. A tear rolled from Gloria's
eyes to his cheek and coursed its way
over his bronzed face to the gray of
his uniform. His legs went weak be-
meath him. and the blood that tore
through his body was sharp, tortur-
ing flame. At last he set Gloria back
in his arms, straining to see her
through the darkness.
Gloria! You were waiting - as if
you had expected me-"
II did expect you." she whispered,
softly. THAT is. expected you; if you
found out in some way that I was
visiting Nettie."
Nelson pressed the little figure
close to his heart again and held his
lips to her hair.
But how did you know, my dear
est. that ="
II saw you, Nelson. stopped by
the hospital tonight with DR.. Gunnell
and Nettie after leaving Cousin Eds
ball. There was desperately i'll man.
and Nettie and l helped DIR. Gunnell
with a leg amputation. was at the
door waiting for them when you took
the sentry prisoner. counted your
men - twenty-nine! 1t was hard to
count them in the darkness. even with
eyes as keen as mine - like a cats.
Nelson. can even see you in this
darkness - your fair hair, your gray
eyes. Oh. my darling. love you"
He kissed her and almost forgot the
question rafting around in his head.
Finally he said. You saw US. and
yet you didn't spread an alarm? And
hating Mosby as you do? Why,
Gloria. why?"
She laughed softly. "Twenty-nine
men," she said wistfully. "in the midst
of so many Federal soldiers! Oh. Mel
son, it was glorious it was daring and
brave! | was thrilled and proud.
thought if all warfare could be like
tonight - no bloodshed. just adven-
ture." Then she hesitated for second.
Il suppose you captured my pompous
cousin?" She was laughing a little
with veiled mischief
Yes" he said, huskily.
Then her voice changed suddenly.
and she buried her face against his
rain-soaked breast. "Oh, when will it
all end! When will it all end" she
sobbed.
But in a moment Gloria was in bet
ter control of herself. She unfastened
two hot-house roses that had been
pinned to her dark curls. She smiled
bravely, touched the flowers to her
lips and handed them to Nelson.
"One is for you. my darling! she
said. softly. And the other is for that