My Lady of the North

is knowledge. She had come to us undesired and in darkness, her form enveloped in a cavalry cloak, her face shrouded by the night. As to whether she was young or old I

s totally unaware of how she really looked as though we had never met. Her very name was unknown to me. Who was this Major Brennan? Was he

ause they seemed to fall into order to the steady music of my horse's feet and the darkness of the night. "No," I said to myself, "there is certainly no leaving h

reveal as to her appearance. She was sitting erect and easy i

were so close together that my voice carried distinctly to her ears. "We have been suffic

er shortly, and I was conscious of a restraint in her manner far f

n an officer on

ccent of vindictiveness in her voice-"that priso

r own, and I was obliged to smile there in

t several of General Sheridan's staff, and thought possibly Major Brennan might have been of their number. Seeing that we

ently my lady possessed no desire for the discovery of any such tie. Watchi

oward her, of course, but beyo

yet I durst not venture to draw rein or even slacken speed. Already, beyond a doubt, the patrol in our rear had missed the picket stationed at the crossroads, had searched until they found the lifeless body where Craig had hidde

e spitting of flinty sparks beneath us, that we were among rocks once more. Then our horses suddenly splashed into water,

ming the stream to reach her side, and hold

offered civility from an enemy of her country, but the deep sense of

he canteen; yet the words were spoken in mockery. I i

to enable our eyes to discern dimly the faint track we followed. I remember remarking the blacker figure of the Sergeant ahead of us, and already halfway down the long decline. I caught a swift glimpse of a rough log house on the right, so set back among trees that I half doubted its r

s opportunity for escape. Quite probably the thought never occurred to her; perhaps her woman's heart, in the stress of such accident, held her moti

eant," I said hastily, "but t

k, but I stopped him with a gest

une is seldom bettered by hard words. First of a

through the thick underbrush at the bottom of the gorge, where I knew it would be completely hidden, even in the glare of daylight, from the prying eyes of any troopers riding hard upon our track. Wi

ode with the despatch (and how eagerly I longed to do so!), and succeeded in bringing Lee's message safe to Longstreet, it meant much to me-promotion, distinction, honor. On the other hand, if I remained behind, and Craig successfully carried out the duty which had been especially intrusted to me, I should be fortunate indeed to escape with a reprimand instead of more serious

ho would follow his leader into the very jaws of hell, but whose morals were those of the camp, and whose face revealed audacious deviltry such as no man would care to see in one to whom he intrusted the welfare of sister or wife. Recalling to mind certain idle

improvised brush, "how far do you suppos

he answered promptly, "an' I reckon

good riding it might

s," he said glumly; "but it's bin mighty hard on my nag; I've look

woman's, it is the fresher of the two; but you are

d, and he raised h

he asked

e is no other way. Wait here a

night wind flung back the upturned cape. It was a winsome sight to soldier vision, but with a certain semblance of pride and reserve about it that caused a hesitancy in my speech strange enough to me. I felt oddly like a bashf

the cape closer about your face at present. There are rough men in all armies who would consider your beauty a lawful prize. The life we lea

y plain speech, and her hand sought the coll

to be an officer and a ge

full chill of her words, and

that he were for my own sake. However, madam, let that pass. The fact is here, and we have no time to argue or quarrel. I have already told you that we ride with despatches for Longstreet.

exceeding

in; "but I venture to tell you this merely because I have already fully determined to despatch the

at we are to re

s no oth

proud unbelieving eyes we

r good opinion was growing stronger, "that I do this only because I believe it t

ed face suddenly wi

presume I have no ch

ook a different view, but i

less to avoid, and will obey your orders however d

ant must ride your horse, as

hand in mine, and, without so much as a word of protest, per

turning to her, added quietly, "Ki

ome loosened, and that she turned partially so as to

ead your own. As soon as you deliver Lee's message at headquarters, hunt up the cavalry brigade commander and re

passed down the hill, the rein of his own mount, and leading it, lagging, behind him, until the nigh