Year: 1876

to be expected under the circumstances
and its place was effectually supplied b,
a little red morocco-coyered spy-glasi
which Miss Elliott took from the table
Scarcely was it brought to bear upon the
approaching horsemen when she laid Il
down as suddenly as she had seized it
the rich color mantling to her forehead.


why, Jane" said her friend, sam
not to have look at the strangers Oh
| declare-yes, | do believe | know that
horse. II must be-"


1t is Colonel Washington and some
other officer whom | do not know" said
Miss Elliott, who had regained her self
possession completely. "You have youl
wish, Rebecca."


The two visitors canterod rapidly W
the broad avenue, and found Billy wait
ing to receive them. One was n tall, sol
dierly looking man of about twenty-eight
his fine face bronzed by exposure, and hi.
easy seat in the saddle betokcning one
who had been horseman from his youth
He wore the blue coat with yellow facings
and the buckskin breeches of the Cont
mental cavalry, his red sash bound over Il
broad sword-belt which supported strong
sabre, while the handsome and well-inus.
eled bay mare which he rode carried q
leather portmanteau in addition to the
heavy bearskin holster. His large caval.
ry-boots were well bespattered, and his
whole bearing was that of an officer on
duty, rather than of a gallant bent on Wis.
iting lady fair. His companion was q
mere youth, seemingly not over seventeen
well mounted also, and dressed in the sim.
pie uniform of an orderly, but evidently
the friend and social equal of his superior
officer The young man sat his horse
with the ease and grace of one born to
the saddle, and his fiery chestnut seemed
to know and understand his rider thor.
oughly. Like the other, he was provided
with holsters and portmanteau, heavy
blue cavalry cloak being strapped over
the unstuffed saddle tree. Entering the
drawing-room, Colonel Washington pre-
sented his companion to Miss Elliott as
"Mr. Peyton of Virginia" and both gen,
tiemen were in turn presented to Miss
Stead, who received their courtly bows
with one of those graceful, sweeping cour
tesies which may be ranked among the
lost arts of past generation. Billy had
followed the guests to the parlor-door
where he stood as if waiting orders.


You seem to have ridden far said
the fair hostess when the ordinary saluta
tions had passed. "Let Inc order your
horses to the stable to be fed"
"I thank you very kindly miss, bu,
there will be scarcely time, for we are
under marching orders, and must be in
Charleston Before sunset replied the
colonel with bow; and there was some,
thing in his tone which family suggested
mental desire to see the said marching
orders in Jericho.


Perhaps young Peyton detected this
for he said Immediately, II think we had
best accept Miss Elliott's kindness, for We
have long ride before us, and we cannot
tell what orders may be awaiting us at the
end Of it."


Il believe Peytou is right" said the
colonel, "and you will permit me will ask
him to give some directions to the ser.
want"


Billy, however, had heard enough to
give him his cue, and had disappeared
nor did the summons of the bell bring him
back until full ten minutes had elapsed
When he did return it was to bring in
two more tumblers of punch, but this
time of "the regulation size" and strength
which were handed to the guests and dis
posed of with bow and sentiment; and then
the young orderly went out with him to
see the horses stripped and the holsters
deposited on the piazza before the animals
were led off to be fed


II


We shall have to defer accepting your
invitation to attend the dress parade until
your return to camp" said Miss Elliott.


al regret to be obliged to say that the
fortunes of war have deprived us for the
present Of that honor. My orders extend
to the command, which broke camp this
morning and is now on its march to Charles
ton"


"Oh, what are we to do? We felt SO
safe while they were near us.


The remark burst involuntarily from
Miss Stead, who blushed and cast down
her eyes as if conscious of having said too
much for maidenly propriety, but the
smile of acknowledgment on Colonel
Washington's face gave way to look Of
grave anxiety as he replied, "No lady of
Carolina shall ever need defender while
man of my command is left to draw a
sword; but we have news of movements on
the enemys part which require our pres.
ence nearer to the city, and l have ad-
vised that all non-combatants who can
possibly move into Charleston should do
SO at their earliest convenience. Perhaps
We may meet there in few days.


A momentary pallor had overspread
Miss Elliott's face, but it was succeeded
Immediately by proud flush as she said,
at is true, then, that Gen. Clinton has left
Savannah and is moving on Charleston ~


Such is the report, and fear we are
badly prepared to meet him"


i