The evening world. Newspaper, February 19, 1915, Page 17

d arried Then Fell in Love ~BY RANDALL PARRISH P fOewmieht, 1014, by A, 0. MeCiere & On) » you | then was to Seatity soy action in ald- | ing your escape. My—my being your —your wife was the only excuse I could urge for such disloyalty. Surely ju comprehend my pur- | “And now are sorry?” “I—I do ao know,” hesitatingty, “I cannot decide. Where do you take | - mer” | j; Sone away together. IT wae & single sheet, very for- ‘mal {n expre: as taough the writer merely performed @ ,duty which he consid- unpleasant, but necessary. He Q@cknowledged receipt of a communt- estion reaching him at Ramsay's Repéquarters,"apparently an applica- for pardon and a pledge to unite “the Federal forces, and staved writer would be at the Minor ear Hot Springs at a certain dae, where he would be glad to con- fcr further regarding the matter. He agreed to come unattended, and sug- @ested that his visitor use the name @t:Taylor so as to prevent any qus- piston. -. ‘ The closing paragraph referred to eg a ly desire ont all memory of what had . My hands trembled as 1 reSt‘the-Iines and the girl at my side cried softly, her eyes so filled with temps I doubt if she could. distinguish the words. Scarcely aware of the ac- I held. crumpled between my fingers. “Tt is all clear enough now, little ”’ I whispered, my voice trembling vsympal ‘our father met his ith at the hands of a treacherous ber.with my arm, the let- to I sald soberly, struggling ¥ hand from touching her own, where it rested on the grass, “it in too late now to go back; to think of going back. We cannot deny, or conceal, our marriage, ere y one straight path left for us now— across the mountains to old Virginia.” 1—I know—and then?” ‘You must trust my honor, my die- eretion. We are friends, you mt for you to ; she is in North Caro- lina, out of the track of armies. You will consent to go to her?” “If you think It best, met your mother; perhaps’ “You will be just as welcom: write her ev: detail, and she will be rejoiced to. shel you. The only trouble is the necessary delay in- voived by the war; the impossibility of your venturing to rn to Green Briar until the conflict is over.” She was silent a long while, her eyes cast down, her breathing notice- ably rapid. I waited, not owing what elée to add, and was about to propose her lying down, when she spoke suddenly: ‘You mean our—our separation? “Certainly. That can be easily ar- ranged as soon as the courts are again in session. Possibly the ceremony was not even legal without witnesses, but, ‘under the circumstances, it had bet- ter be dissolved in court. Such ac- tion would remove all doubt from your mind.” “Yee—I suppose eo; you—you make it very clear. And that would have be done in Green Briar?—the— the action for divorce?” t Lewis not necessarily, of course, but I pposed you would rather have the facts mad there, eo that your friends |. It was a plot carefully con- jge now Cowan. has paid the am.giad .we have lparned = Dut jar Harwood, would fer Wish ‘you to mourn here in the midst of this danger—you are lis- Enid fa oe a —but I cannot remain he: of this mi Itt “Et is the strain of so much occur- hd youl are worn out. away from some- ‘itis where we 's body. joel safe ‘@ieco' rand 2 Cie Mage you Fejeased her hands gently and be- ewift search of the cabin, It yore the a and all we re- fm a big box beside the bunk. it cottld conveniently transport yréaned into a clean bag, and I PBce'cosseasion of a quilt to add jr comfort. I left Cowan lying 4 as he had fallen, secing little use ‘attempting to conceal the body. of us wel ‘lad when we closed of the’shack and returned to gn stegdily for an‘ hour, Es iy exchanging a word At we camé into a narrow de- 1 eargely. fifty feet across, and éd.on either side by high rock ipitous and exhibiting no trail. ‘The woods were open, ficiently. thick to yield good - from observation from abdve, there Was sufficient grags for the picketed these close to the ‘and spread blankets for the iy.to lie pn at the foot of bluff, rt whe would be well screened by t of.underbrush. Then I came Back to where she sat silently against the bole of a iarge tree, watching my movements. eiNg, doubt, we are safe enough said, opening the pack. “But ‘isk a’ fire; you can eat, I bardl: know,” wearlly. “Perhaps enone ‘a little food down, but im not hungry. How far have wilh be ali Aen WAs a. mere gugss I should say bees miles since leaving the . By the eun it mupt be 9 Eat what you can, and then ‘Gowns om the blankets and rest. wii not leave here until just be- dark.” ur 7 aay Cree over, tt th re eer never ar a’ 4 ‘te of the goarse food daintily, ‘tly without appetite, but I did tice to the meal, satisfied, for j being at least, that we were etenreiy hidden. odd situation in which we te ae | beges “be Gnd on the ground, 10 you ‘will not feel sasberreneed, oeror | 10 M4 comple! con- Teams, Tel have no wish to ® any advanthge or—or sasume Lg you one question?” dzen.” pegliy believed those who at- i us were Cowan's men?” “hed 00. Other thought, Miss rchaeel was merely og! hop of thus protecting ipauit?” my sole thought at the ot 3 ied soherly, it wes 8 AB chance, ye! ie only one sararitly, left rad ‘hat is what I © say, to explain,” 1 went on tu before she could interrupt. liee’ the “seriqus mistake made, er efibarrassing it must all be But must ‘believe me a n would mever have gne..word; aever, have made Miss Noreen, 1 hply. fe have been friends, and wk we will always be. I do trust you, and believe in you; only I want- ¥a440° undorstan: ly your motive. fees not Blame you. nor inyself; we id- what seemed best at the tim Row We must meet the | Then" aleep- and- » ment was hie broad brimmed hat thought of hurting you, yet the bullet to set you free may be ‘en now @ Federal cartridge box. She did not look a pl eal I Fought Poa Ly © grass treml ‘T bétevé T wht lfé he sald Analy. “Is that the place you have ies arenas a ca me. help you up; th blankets ard both yours. T abail not m or move, hand resting “ need any. I stood and watched her move acrogs through the mingled shad and sun, until her slender form finally disappeared behind the screen of underbrush. Once she had glanced about, pausing as though some thought had occurred suddenly, but did not speak. I was left alone. ——— CHAPTER XVII. With Backs to the Wall. HILE she slept I reconnoi- tred the country around us, and when she awoke I pointed out a ridge in front of om ‘Do you recognize it?” I asked. “That is Cane Ridge. “Where—where the Baptist church is?” “Exactly; where Parson Nichols Points out to his congregation the straight and narrow way. There is a bridle-path yonder leading up from the valley, which will save us a five- mile detour. But it means we are still in Cowan's country, and to climb the with horses will require the use of daylight.” “You think Ansé”"—— “Is probably back before this, and doing hig best to trail us. Even if ‘he does mot discover the body of old Ned he will naturally conclude we will head east. My only hope is that not having seen us last night he may imagine we chose the southern route and ride there firet. But if he did, doubtless he would send some of his men Scouring this way.” ‘ou have heard—seen nothing?” “No, we are too far back; the noise of an army passing along the pike would not reach here. If we get to Cane Ridge Church before dark we must trust to luck, and the night for the next thirty miles.” “You fear Cowan's gang more than the froope? Surely they will pur- suet” , “No doubt; Pickney will be raving, ¢, and Raymond crasy to get hands on * e. Ay! there will be some galloping of troopers. I should have liked to see Fox's face when he heard the news; by heavens! they are like enough to charge him with conspiracy, for he was officer of the day.” We ate and then set out. At the foot of the ridge I dismounted. Noreen dismounted algo, and thus we in inducing the two horses to clamber ul slipping and aliding on the steep acclivity—until we safely tained a remnant of bridle-path, scarcely discernible because of lusty weeds. In time we halted beside the old wooden church. We entered the building and looked about us. Everything was lonely and depressing, the silence unbroken. A clock, run down, stared at me from the further end, and I recognized a bi Bible, lying open on the gaunt pulpi stand. A book of some kind, 4 eared and coverless, lay on the floor my and I bent to pick it up. As TI came upright again, a man stepped out from the shadow of a corner, and the steel barrel of a revolver flashed before my eyes. I felt Noreen cringe against me, uttering a muffled cry. “Stand as yer are, Yank,” said @ rather pleasant voice, “Pardon me, He was a young fellow with bold eyes, a little jaunty mustache ith inclined to laugh, but o4 at 1p open eyed amiase- at and natty gray cavalry jacket. “Bome surprise party, 1 reckon,” he chuckled grimly. “What was this, in & church wedding, dear boy? Here, Wharton, kindly relieve the gentle- man of his arsenal. Ah, some eortment, | see, Your pardon, mi am, but occasionally even the fair ex travel armed these days: and. I should hate to be harsh. Thank you, very much; Wharton, take the lady's ‘wun also. It’s all right, boys.” To my unbounded amazement up from the floor, where they had been lying concealed beneath the benches @ considerable number of men came a@crambiing to their feet, I could not count them In the dim light, but those Nearest me were gray clad—troopers, from their ghort jackets—with car- bines in their hands. Wharton, our revolvers safe in his grasp, grinned and stepped behind his officer, “Who, in heaven's name, are you?" I asked, at last finding my voice. “Con- federates here?” “You first guess 1s an excellent one,” he answered lightly, evidently enjoy- ing the scene. “It evidences a well disciplined mind, and marvelous power of observation. my Yankee friend, you now behold Confederates, Johnny Rebs, the enemy; you have the honor of being prisoner to the Third Ken- tucky Cavalry. Wharton.” “Yes, sir.” . “Conduct the lady and gentleman to the sanctity of the pulpit, Sergeant, where they may commune with th presiding genius of this house of wor- ship erected in the wilderness. Imagine not," he continued with a wave of the hand, “that the blackened optic which adorns the ministerial countenanve was @ gift of the Confederacy. Far be it from us,” bowing humbly to the as- tonished Noreen, “to war against either ladies, or the Church; beauty and goodness er safe in our hands, and I ai h that the rev- erend gentleman was delivered into our care in his present condition of disfigurement. “You mean you hold prisoner Parson Nichols?” I asked, scarcely grasping the sense of his rambling speech. “No doubt ‘tis he, although I have no recollection that he has confided his name to our ears. We discovered the party alone in this edifice of worship, nursing sundry bruises and abrasions, and feeling that probably he was of the Church Militant, held him for the pleasure of his company. Stone, Michels, returned to the front; now, Sergeant, you may take the prisoners.” “Just @ moment, Lieutenant, nd I faced him squarely, ignoring the rip of Wharton's hand on my arm. re is no reason to hold us prison- all there is Yankee about me ts thie uniform. I have just escaped from the Federal guard at Lowis- eves laughing, yet suspicious, t our faces m not easily fooled,” he said, “but ready enough to learn, Who are you?” “Thomas Wyatt, Sergeant, Staun- ton Horse Artillery.” “Who is your captain?’ “Philip Lavigne." “Good; and your first lieutenant?” “George E. Whitehouse.” “Ah! you know the battery, . When were you with them Royal.” “By all the gods, it soundeth atrange but true. Come clear up the mystery—low came you here?” lL explained. He listened attentive- ly; then with a wignce at Noreen, nd the woman?" She drew back the cape which had partially concealed her face, reveal- ing her brig! eyes and flushed cheeks. “Permit me to answer for myself, Lieutenant Harwood. I am your cousin. “My cousin! Hold, till I guess a bit not Noreen Harwood?" swered, quietly, her stint , in Daily Mee an * bood. I—I am his wife.” “He is a Confederate soldier, then?” ‘ee. “And you, cousin?” “I—I am his wife.” “I accept you on faith, comrade,” said Harwood, pleasantly, “but is a spare gray jacket strapped to my wr le yond ™ore becoming than that blue ¢oa' ‘ere, Stone,” with a glance over his shoulder and a crisp- ness to his voice, “get the extra biouse from off my horse and bring it here; run low, lad, and keep in the shadow.” “Let me understand, Lieutenant,” I exclaimed. “How does {t happen you are here, and for what purpox “A wild plan of my own, aided and abetted by the commander at Covi . We are of the garrison there,’ explained ‘briefly, his glance searching out the dim interior. “The Yankees have a forage train out as far as Hot Springs, under small guard. ‘Tis the furthest east they have ever ventured, and our scouts brought the news. To the mind came the brilliant thought of cutting them off on thelr return march, and I got permission for the dash, We took the cut-off, and landed here about daylight. The train should have been along before now, but there is no sign of it.” “You have been in hiding here all day, and seen nothing?” “Oh! we've seen enough,” and ne laughed. “But nothing we cared to measure swords with. The road yon- der appears popular, but, by good luck, no Yankee shows an eagerness to attend church, There was @ gang of mountain men along by here maybe two hours ago who rode up to the door, and took a look at the shebang. Whether they were Yank or Reb didn’t know. Anyhow we were will- ing enough to see them pass on out o° sight. ey looked and talked as though they were epoiling for a fight.” “How many?” “Thirty or forty--a right smart crowd, There was only two come up, and rode round the church—a big fellow with a red beard, and a Uittle weasened-faced fox he called Kelly.” “Yes, I know them; they were hunting after us, Did they @o on east?” “They did. So bas every one else we've seen to-day. That's what pee led us, as to just what might e up. I reckon you must be some pop’ to create guch a furor. Why, an hour after sun-up a whole blam company of blue-coata went by, rid- ing like mad, their horses dripping, and a young fellow spurring them on, He'd lost his hat, and they never #0 much as took a side-look at thie shebang. They were in some hurry, my friend.” “And neither party has returned?” “Not a sign of them.” ‘Twenty-eight enlisted men.” “You have pickets out?” “One man each way, a mile down the road, ce ealed. The tower up there commands the country jn both direction: “And your horses?” “Hidden in the grove yonder.” ‘What do you mean to do, Lieu- tenant?” I asked quietly, but with my own mind made up, “Remain er‘ He stroked his small mustache, “I thought we might hang on until midnight, Wyatt, and then, if nothi: happened, take the back trail. don't want to pass another day in this cussed hole. What do you think “That the sooner we get away the better,” I answered promptly. “You think they will combine?” “If they meet, and there is an ex- plantation—ye ‘The sound of alshot interrupted me. Then came anéther, It was the sound of a scattered volley, the pieces not all of the same calibre, the reports ringing clear. In the instant of silence which followed, @ voice called down excitedly from the tower: “There is firing to the east, sir.” “How far y, Somers?” It was the sergeant who . RP Boge a quarter of « ale, I reekoas there of wagon wheels. otwer fetes ye y: Feb —_—-- ose ne en =. tagh showed up a bunch omen o' the big rock. They must oO’ go ‘ht o' Hardy, sir, an’ popped away at him; thet’s ‘bout whar he was. ‘Then came the approaching rumble larwe turned, and faced inward. “It's. the forage train, boys,” he said sharply, “with a bunch of cavalry riding ahead. Get to the windows, but be quiet about it—you know the orders. Wharton, we're liable to have our fight yet. Have the men load; come with me, Wyatt, where we can see out in front.” CHAPTER XVIII. The Trap Closes. HE Heutenant’s fingers grip- } ped my shoulder. “By the Lord Harry, the fellows make noise enough ed. “I reckon they are all there,” “It looks mighty odd ‘to me," sald a voice suddenly, clearly audible through the night, “that fellow being in Reb uniform. What could he be doing here?" “A scout, I reckon," grumbled a ro- ply, barely distinguishable. “Couldn't be no considerable force along yere, Lieutenant, fer we've both been over ther pike since mornin’, Thet wus just a stray we run into, but it mout i best ter take a lool: along this yere ridge afore we ride on.” “All right,” assented the other. “I'll wait here until Fox and Moran come up. Let some of your men ride back as far as those woods over yonder; and say, it wouldn't do any harm to take @ look inside the church. You didn’t stop coming out?” “Naw; we didn’t stop fer nuthin’. We thought the way you fellers wuz ’ yer hed a hot trail, a it in at the death. y thar’s any one Inside the meet in’ house, but I reckon we may well be sure as long as we're here. No fool would hide this close ter the pike. That you, Kelly?” Kelly and his: little squad trotted past us, circling the end of the bulld- ing, the remainder of the group of horsemen, evidently composed of gang of cut-throat, acatter- along the roadside, with no sem- discipline, ently we heard Kelly and his riders returning. The returning party came clatter- ing’ out into the road, past the well, Kelly asked loudly where Cowan was, and then riding straight toward bis chief, the two rideriese horses trail- ing in the rear. “They was hobbled back o* ther chimney rock,” he reported shortly, “an’ I reckon they'd been rid up the old trail from Silver Spring.” Anse swung down to the ground and ran his hands over the animals, fingering the equipment. “Not cavalry stuff,” he sald, “so tain't likely they belonged ter the Reb wo shot back thar in the hollow. Didn't the lieutenant say thet the spy an’ the gurl got off on horses hitched by the hotel?” “I didn't hear tell." “Well, I did; enyhow they wasn't army horses they took. 1 believe they're a hidin’ now in that church. Here, you Kelly,” a new exultant tone to his voice, “scatter your men out around ther whol’ buildin’; we've treed our game, I reckon, Hell! hurry up, man! don’t sit there atarin’ at me. Hey, Jem! where are you? Oh, all right; ride back to the sojers an’ tell Fox we've got the coon, Go on now, Wait a minute, Kelly; leave ten of the fellows here with me. I'll look after the front. Don't forget thar’s a back door.” Harwood dropped his gripping hand from off my shoulder and stepped back from before the window. “Sergeant.” “Here, sir," and Wharton moved slightly in the darkness, #o as to sig- nify hia whereabouts, “You atten to the door?” “Yea, six; we tound an old ison for an army,” he whisper-* ie blance to mill bar to fit across; they'll have to crush in the wood to get through.” “Good; .We'll give those devils a sur- prise party; there will be some dead men around here presently. I'll take charge here at the front; you have mon at the other window?" “Let ‘Johnson and Molivaine join me here. What is the name of that lad ME going to recommend for eorport fl “O'Hare, sir; Jacob O'Hare." “Put him in command of theeouth side, and you take the north; place benches to stand on under the win- dows, but keep your men down until you get the word. There is to be no firing until I give the order. Tell them they have got to fight for their Mves. You understand?” “You, sir; we'll do it “Then get to your at Wyatt, how about you? take a hand?” Place myself under your or- ir. ona. Now, two ers. ‘Then I give you command at the other end; there are two windows and a door, Here, take this gun, and belt; I can get another.” He stopped, and drew in a quick breath, glancing out again through the window, “Friend Cowan— if that be hie name—seoms to be waiting for the military to come up,” he commented mockingly. “Prefera to let the Yanks ull his chestnuts out of the fire. Perhaps he has known you a@ jong while—hey, Wyatt? “The acquaintance has been rather brief, but warm.” “No doubt; well, I'll help make it warmer presently, Fair cousin, I do not know where to hide you in safety. This is going to be a real fight, or I am greatly mistaken, and bullete fly wild through the dark.” “I suggest the tower,” I interrupt: ed, “with the ladder drawn UB he heavy puncheon floor will be euffic protection.” “I thought of that expedient,” he lady is loft to me,” she said quietly, “I prefer to » with Tom Wyatt.” “You-you mean that, Norcent’ "Yea; do not refuse. I am not afraid.” implored, with you. I found the door, and the narrow aisle leading between the two rows of benches, Outside, sounding some Gis- tance away, Kelly's sharp, ing votce shouted an order, acoom- panted by an oath. One of the kneel- ing figures rose slowly until his eyes were even with the window sill. “Men,” I said quietly, bare! enough to reach their sare. “I am sergeant in the Staunton Horse Ar. tillery, Your lieutenant has just assigned me to take command of this end of the church, How many are there of you?” “Ten, sir,” answered the one near- est, after a pause, turning his head slightly. “Three at each window, and four at the door. “Door barred?” “No. locked, and benches piled up against it.” “You nave a prisoner, I under- stand.” He gave a muffied sound, ae though stifiing an incipient laugn. Nuthin’ ter worry ‘bout; the par- son's lyin’ over thar in the corner with Jack Gold a quardin’ of him. I reckon the cuss 1! prayin’ better ner fightin’ any day o' ther week.” “All right, then; we'll give Jack Gold something more valu to at- lent 1 dropped my voice to a fy “Noreen.” tin’ toh- aman If you will keep an eye on You ‘ols, and we'll need them all. are willing to help?" “Of course; I thought I could load guns, but" “I would rather have you there,” I interrupted earnestly, “where I can fool reasonably sure you will be safe from stray bul! ehall be lesa coward if I believe you out of dan: ruary $9. sight of two figures in the full gleam of the and Bo and hear somethi: about to transpire CHAPTER XIX. We Drive Them. iT was silent enough within— not & movement, not @ ready, and not even a whispered order was being exchanged. Could it be they really bad « faint glimmer of the truth? That tBey re- Alised the possibility of a Confederate raiding party in the neighborkeed? ‘They had shot Harwood’s picket, and knew him to be a Southern cavairy- man from the uniform he wore. were those fellows could cause their delay? iRergeant ‘Wyatt, the lieutenan' wants yer,” swept down the line of waiting men 1 hurried forward, Harwood was {nthe dark veatibule close beside the IY ir. 1 Gea’, ming s f ‘ ready to com A “Do you hear me in there, the graft votce without called. | ia your last chance; come, don’t be a fool. We know you are th a couldn’t & rat get out not seen. “Who are you?’ I asked. “T want to know who I am with first,’ “I am Major Moran, enty-Oret Ohio sia gg Oe “Ie Capt x there?” Fo: e fell ‘he! without, the murmur of a word two spoken in subdued tones; then Fox's voice raised to carry through the intervening wood, “Sorry this n C fgag fans attempt to fight; force out here of ; coolly, cluding Cowan and my old friend Heutenant. Quite a complimeat wend half a regiment after one man. “Our Pavia such a fore ie sf? loud work?” penne, Fox,” broke in Harwood juntly, ia votes “L command Troop ‘C,’ reir tucky Cay . This ie no I give you fifteen minutes to draw your men; at the expiration of that time we open fire.” The eu the expected it plainly 1 ack from the door, and speak estly to some one, Moran oa) iy. it force have you?” he roared, the insane on Her ‘wood to la “Come, an evident. earn- swore ere, and have something to do.” “And gives you another man—i see. Queer duck, that ole—e bit of a knave to my notion, and one of the finest lieve I hat ever heard; he'll bear watching, Ah our friend the Majer has come to his ores yonder! are mov- e. s an “A coward—you! Yes, of course, I will go,’ | i i : | : i Ht i: i [ 4 ; ite $44 fr te au efit s i & I Peiet So rere i i