Newspapers / The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.) / Feb. 2, 1912, edition 1 / Page 7
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iMYi LADY«OFITHEINORTHI Q 'SHEIOYESIOKY OR AGBAY JACKET _ IDWOFWIIEN WUMSMSS WAS KING V£S Cf . ILLUSTRATIONS BMEHIURT. WILLI AMsD>f* aaPXEOrrj&ACJrtCLUQG oca JATZ&PArJDiIZHSB&Aia ZCHCDCk SYNOPSIS. j. The story opens In a Confederate tent U a critical stage of the Civil War. Gen. Lm Imparts to Capt. Wayne an Important message to Longstreet. Accompanied by lergl Oral*, an old army scoul. Wayne ttarts on his mission. They fret within Jie lines of the enemy and In the dark teas Wayne Is taken for a. Federal of leer and a young lady on horseback Is Itven In his charge. She Is a northern rlrl and attempts to escape. One of the torses succumbs and Craig gpes through rlth the dispatches, while Wayne and My -ady of the North are left alone. They ••ek shelter tn a but and entering It in lie dark a huge mastiff attacka Wayne. The girl shoots the brute Just In time. Phe owner of the hut. Jed Bungay, and Us w»fe appear and soon a party of HNfemen approach. They are led by a nan claiming to be Red but who jrovea to be Maj Brennan, a Federal >ffloer whom the Union girl recognises. Se orders the arrest of Wayne as a spy ind he Is brought before Bherif)an. who :hreatens him with death unless he re reals the secret message. Wayne believes Bdlth Brennan to be the wife of Maj Brennan. He la rescued by Jed Bungay, who starts to reach Oen. L.ee. while Wayne In disguise penetrates to the balU room, beneath which he had been Im iruoneti. CHAPTER XV.—Continued. For a moment, as I responded to the hearty cordiality of his welcome, I was enabled to take my first glance at the ballroom, and found it to my unaccustomed soldier eyes an inspir ing spectacle. The room was magnifl rently large,—a surprising apartment. Indeed, even In so superb a Southern home as this had evidently been, and Ith nroportions were magnified by numorous mirrors extending from floor to celling, ca.ising the more distant dancers to appear circling in space Brilliantly illumined by means of hanging chandeliers that oscillated /lightly to the merry feet; decorated lavishly everywhere with festooned flags and tastefully arranged muni tions of war; gay with the dress uni forms of the men and the handsome gowns of the women, it composed a scene so different from any I hat! looked upon In years as to hold me fascinated. The constant clatter of tongues, the laughter, the flash ing of bright eyes, and the gleam of snowy shoulders, the good-humored repartees caught as the various couples circle swiftly past, the quick, musical gliding of flying feet over the waxen floor, the continuous whirl of t».i Intoxicating waltz, and over all the Inspiring strains of Strauss, caused my heart to bound, and brought with it an insane desire to participate. Yet gazing, entranced, upon the ani mated scene, and feeling deeply the Intoxication of the moment, my eyes were eagerly searching that happy throng for sight of one fair woman's face. Strange as It must seem to oth ers. In spite of the fact that to meet her might mean betrayal and death ay! might even result In the destruc tion of an army—in my weakness I secretly longed for Just such a hap pening; felt, Indeed, that I must again see her, have speech with her, before I went forth alone Into the manifold dangers of the night. It was fool hardlncss,—insanity in very truth, — yet sucu was the secret yearning of ray heart. If I could only once know from her own truthful lips, that she already belonged to another, I could, I believe, tear her image from my memory; but while I yet doubted (and in spite of all I had heard 1 doubted still), no desperate case chouid ever prevent my seeking her •with all the mad ardor of love, no faintness of heart should intervene between us. That she was present I knew from those chance words over heard In the chimney, and my one deep hope ever since I donned that Federal uniform and ventured down the stairs (a hope most oddly mingled wlih dread) was that we might In some manner be brought together. I was yet vainly seeking a glimpse of her among the many who circled past when 1 was suddenly recalled to the extreme delicacy of my situation by 11 the deep voice o( the Major asking me indirect question: "Do you ever dance, Co'onel?" Exactly what I may have replied I know not but It was evidently trans lated as an affirmative, for in another moment I was being piloted down the a'.dc of the long room, while he gos siped in my rather Inattentive ear, "A3 you have doubtless remarked, Colonel, we are extremely fortunate IT our ladles to-night By Jove, they would grace an inauguration ball at Washington. So many officers' wives havo Joined us lately, supposing we would make permanent camp here, acc besides there are more loyal fam ilies in this neighborhood than we rind usually. At least their loyalty Is quite apparent while we remsln. Then the General Hospital nurses are not especially busy,—no battle lately, yon know, —and there are some deuced pretty girls among them. Ball room looks nice, don't you think V "Extremely well; the decorations are tn most excellent taste." "Entirely the work of the staff. Great pity so many were compelled to ba, absent, but-a soldier can never tell Here upon special duty, Colonel?" 1 brought despatches from the I President to General Sheridan." "Wish you might remain with us aermancclly. Tour command, 1' be- Here, Is not connected with our East earn; army?" "No, with Thomas In the Cumber land." "Ah, yes; had some very pretty fighting out there, I understand —oh. pardon me. Miss Minor, permit me to present to you Colonel Cur ran, of General Halleck's staff. The Colonel, I believe. If as able a dancer as he is a soldier, and no ntgber compliment to bis abilities coula possibly be paid. Miss Minor, Colonel, Is a native Vir ginian, who Is present under protest, hoping doubtless to capture some young officer, and thus weaken the enemy." I bowed pleasantly to the bright eyed young woman facing me. and not sorry to escape the Major's Inqulsi-, tireness, at once begged for the re mainder of'the waits. The request was laughingly granted, and In anoth er moment we were threading our way amid the numerous couples upon the floor. She proved BO delightful a dancer t*"»' ' simply yielded myself up to full enjoyment of the measure, and conversation lapsed, until a sud den cessation of the music left us stranded so close to the fireplace that the very sight of It brought a vivid realization of my perilous position. If It had not, my companion's chance remark most assuredly would. "How easily you wait*!" she said enthusiastically, her sparkling eyes and flushed cheeks testifying to her keen enjoyment "So many find me difficult to keep step with that 1 have become fearful of venturing upon the floor with a stranger. However. I shall always be glad to give you a character to any Ci my friends." "I sincerely thank you," I returned in the same spirit, "and I can cer tainly return the compliment most heartily. It Is so long since 1 was privileged to dance with a lady that I confess to having felt decidedly awkward at the start, but your step proved so accommodating that I be came at once at home, and enjoyed the waltz immensely. ' fail to dis cover any seats In the room, or I should undeavor to find one vacant for you." "Oh, I am not in the least tired." She was looking at-roe with so deep an expression of i itereßt in her eyes that I dimly wondered at it. "Did I understand rightly," she asked, playing idly with her fan, "that Major Monsoon Introduced you to me as Colonel Curran of General Halleck's staff?" What the deuce am I up against now? I thought, and my heart beat quickly. Yet retreat was impossible, and I n"r.wered witL assumed care lessness : "I am, most assuredly, Colonel Cur ran." "From Ohio?" This was certainly coming after me with a vengeance, and I stole one quick glance at the girl's face. It was devoid of suspicion, merely evinc ing a polite Interest. "I have the honor of commanding t..v Sixth Artillery Regiment from that State." "You must pardon me. Colonel, for my seeming inqulsitlveness," and her eyes sparkled with demure mischief. "Yet I cannot quite understand. I was at school in Connecticut with a Miss Curran whose father was an officer of artillery from Ohio, and, naturally, I at onco thought of her when the Major pronounced your name; yet it certainly cannot b© you—you are al together too young, for Myrtle must be eighteen." I laughed, decidedly icl' ved from what I feared might prove a most awkward situation. "Well, yes, Miss Minor, I am In deed somewhat youthful to be Myrtle's father," I said at a /vepture, "but I might serve as her" brother, you know, and not stretch the point of age over-much." She clasped her hands on my arm with a gesture of delight "Oh, I am so glad; I knew Myrtle bad a brother, but never heard he UIBO was in the army. Did you know. Colonel, she was Intending to come down here with me when I returned South, at the close of our school year, but from some cause was dis appointed. How delighted she would have been to meet you! I shall cer tainly write and tell her what a splendidly romantic time we bad to gether. You look so much like Myrtle I wonder I failed to recognize you at once." Mhe was rattling on without afford ing me the slightest opportunity to slip in a word explanatory, when her glance chanced to tali upon some one who was approaching us through the throng. "Oh, by the way, Colonel, there is another of Myrtle'a old schoolmates present to-night—a most Intimate friend, indeed, who would never for give me If I permitted you to go without meeting her." She drew me back hastily. "Edith," she said, touching the sleeve of a young woman who was slowly passing. "Edith, wait just a mo ment, dear; this ia Colonel Curran— Myrtle Curran'a brother, you know. Colone* Curran, Mrs. Brennan." CHAPTER XVI. The Woman I Loved. The crucial moment had arrived, and I think my heart actually stop ped beating as 1 stood gazing helpless ly into her face. I saw her eyes open wide In astonished recognition, and then a deep flush swept over throat and cheek. For the Instant I believed she would not speak, or that she would give way to her excitement and betray everything. I durst give no signal of warning, for there ex isted no tie between us to warrant my expecting any consideration from her. It was an Instant so tense that her silence seemed like a blow. Yet It was only an Instant. Then ber eyes smiled Into mine most frankly, and her hand was extended. "I am more than delighted to meet you. Colonel Curran," she said calmly, although 1 could reel her lips tremble to the words, while the fingers I held v ere like Ice. "Myrtle was one of my dearest friends, and she chanced to be In my mind even ns we met. "At "l Am, Most Assuredly, Colonel Curran." That was why," she added, turning toward Miss Minor, as though she felt her momentary agitation had not passed unobserved, "I was so sur prised when you first' presented Colonel Curran." "I confess to having felt strangely myself," returned the other, archly, "although I believe I concealed xny feellngb far better than you did, Kdith. Keally, I thought you were going to faint, it must be that Colonel Curran exercises some strange occult Influ ence ove.- the weaker sex. Perhaps hj Is the seventh son of a seventh son; are you, Colonel? However, dear, I am safe for the present from his mysterious spell, and you will be compelled to face the danger alone, as here comes Lieutenant Hammersmith to claim the dance I've promised him." Hefore Mrs. Hrennan could Inter fere. the laughing girl had placed her hand on the Lieutenant's blue sleeve, and. with a mocking good-bye flung b .ckward over her shoulder, vanished In the crowd, leaving us standing there alone. The lady waited In much apparent in difference, gently tapping the floor with her neatly shod foot. "Would you be exceedingly angry If I were to ask you to dance?" I questioned, stealing surreptitiously a glance at her proudly averted face. "Angry? Most assuredly not," In apparent surprise. "Vet I trust you will not ask me. 1 have been upon thfc floor only once to-night. 1 am not at all in the mood." "If there were chairs here I should venture to ask'even a greater favor that you would consent to sit out this get with me." She turned slightly, lifted her eyes inquirtngly to mine, and ber face lightened. "No doubt we might discover seats without difficulty In the anteroom," she answered, indicating the direction by a glance. "There do not appear to be many 'sitters' at this ball, and th 3 few who do arc not crowded." The apartment contained., as she prophesied, but few occupants, and I conducted ber to the farther end of it, where we found a comfortable divan and no troublesome neighbors. Aa I glanced at ber now, I marked • distinct change In bar face. The old Indifference. so wall assumed while we were la the presence of others, had utterly vanished as by magic, and she sat looking at me in anxious yet impetuous questioning. "Captain Wayne," she exclsimed, her eyes never once leaving my face, "what does this mean? this masquer ade? this wearing of the Federal uni form? tuis taking of another's name? this being here at all?" "If I should say that I came hoping to see you again," I answered, scarce knowing bow best to proceed or how far to put confidence in her, "what would you think?" "If that is true, that you were ex tremely foolish to take such a risk for ,so small a reward," ehe returned calm ly. "Nor, under these circumstances, would I remain here so mucfc as a moment to encoursge you. But ft is not true. This Is no light act; »our very life must lie In the balance, or you could never assume such risk." "I would trust you gladly with my life or my honor," I replied soberly. "1$ I had less faith In you I should not be here now. I understand that I am condemned to be shot as a spy at daybreak." "Shot? On what authority? Who told you?" "On the order of General Sheridan. My Informant was Lieutenant Caton, of his staff." "8hot? As a spy? Why, It surely cannot be! Frank said —■ Captain Wayne, believe me, I knew abtolute 1y nothing of all this. I>o you think I should ever have rested If I had dreamed that you were held under so false a charge? I promised you 1 would see General Sheridan on your behalf. Frank —" she bit her lip im- patiently—"l was told, that Ib, I was led to believe that you were—had been Hent North as a prisoner of war late last night. Otherwise 1 should have Insisted upon seeing you—on plead ing your cause with the General him self. The major and I breakfasted with him this morning, but your name was not mentioned, for I believed you safe." Blie did not appear to realize, so deep was her present indignation and regret, that my hand had found a, rest-' ing place upon her own. "You must believe me, Captain Wayne; I could rot. bear to have you feel that I could prove such an in grate " "You need never suppose I should think that," I replied, with an earnest ness of manner that caused her to glance at me In surprise. "I con lldently expected to hear from you all day, and finally when no word came I became convinced »». ne such mis conception as you have mentioned must have occurred. Then it became my turn to act upon my own behalf If I would preserve my life; yet never fo.- one moment have I doubted you or the sincerity of your pledge to me." She waited quietly while a couple passed us and sought seats nearer the door. , "Tell me the entire story," she said gently. As quickly as possible I reviewed the salient events which had occurred since our last meeting. Without deny ing the presence of Major Brennan during my stormy meeting with Gen eral Sheridan, I did not dwell upon it, nor mention the personal affray that had occurred between us. Even had I not supposed the man to be her husband 1 should never have taken advantage of his treachery to advance my own cause. As 1 'concluded there waa tear glistening on her long laahes, but she seemed unconscious of It, and made no attempt to dash It away "You have not t6ld me all," she commented quietly. "But I can under stand &nd Appreciate the reason for your ailei.ee. I l.now Prank's Impetu osity, and you are very kind, Captain W?vne. to spare my feelings, but you muat not remain here; every moment of delay increases your danger. Sber- ldan arfti those of his staff who would surely recognise you wer« expected back before this, and may appear at any moment—yet how can you get away? how is it poiriblo for me to assist you?" There was an eager anxiety in ber face that pierced roe. Like most lovers I chose to give it a wrong interpre tation. "You are anxious to be rid of me?" I asked, ashamed of the words even as I uttered them. "That remark is unworthy of you," snd she arose to her feet almost haughtily. "My sole thought in this Ic the terrible risk you incur In re maining here." "Your interest then Is personal to me, may I believe?" "I am a loyal woman," proudly, "and would do nothing whatever to Imperil the cause of by country; but your condemnation Is unjust, and 1 am, in a measure, responsible for it. 1 assist you. Captain Wayne, for your own a&ka, and In response to my In dividual sense of honor." "Have you formulated any plan?* she asked quickly, and her rising color made me feel that she had deciphered my struggle in my eyes. "Only to walk out under protec tion of this uniform, and when once safe in the open to trust that same good fortune which has thus far bo friended me." " She shook her head doubtfully, and stood a moment In silence, looking thoughtfully at the moving figures in the room beyond. "I fear it cannot be done without arousing suspicion," sho said at last, slowly. "I chance to know there are unusual precautions being taken to night, and the entire camp is doubly patrolled. Even this house has a cordon of guards about It, but for what reason I have not learned. No," she spoke decisively, "there is no oth er way. Captain Wayne, I am going t. try to save you tonight, but In doing so I must trust my reputation in your keeping." "I will protect it with my life." "Protect it with your silence, rather. I know you to be a gentleman, or I should never attempt to carfy out the only means of escape which seems at all feasible. Discovery would place mo In an extremely embarrassing posi tion, and J must rely upon you to pro tect me from such a possibility." "I beg you," I began, "do not com promise yourself in any way for my sake." "But I am myself already deeply In volved In this," she interrupted, "and I could retain no peace of mind were Ito do otherwise. Now listen. Make your way back to the ballroom, and In fifteen minutes from now be en gaged in conversation with General Carlton near the main entrance. I shall Join you there, and you will take your cue from me. You understand? 1 ' "Perfectly, but—" "Th«re Is no 'but,' Captain Wayne, only do not fail me." Our eyes mot for an Instant; what she read In mine God knows—ln hers was determination, with a daring strange to woman. The next moment she had vanished through a side door, and 1 was alone. CHAPTER XVII. Through the Carrp of the Enemy. A glance at my watch told me that It was already within a few momenta of midnight. There was, however, no diminution In the festivities, and 1 waited In silence until 1 hoard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back Into the noisy, crowded ballrooia. was stopped twice by well-m«anlng officers whom I had met earlier In the evening, but breaking away Irom them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as di'ectly as possible to ward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of cere monies. We had been ronversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Bren nan appeared. Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and note« that Bhe wore her hat, and had a light walklng-cloak thrown over her shoulders. My heart beat faster as I realized for the first time that s) e Intended to be my companion. "Oh, General, I am exceedingly glad to find you yet here* she exclaimed as she came up, »nd extended a neat ly gloved hand to him. "I have a favor to ask which I am told you alone have the authority to grant." He bowed gallantly "1 am very suie,' he returned smil ingly, "that Mrs. Brennan will nevel' request anything which I would not gladly yield." She flashed hi r eyes brightly into his face. "Most assuredly not. The fact is, General, Colonel Curran, with whom I see you are alnady acquainted, was to pass the nlghl at the Major's quar ters, and as he l as not yet returned, the duty has nat«rally devolved upon me to see our giest safely deposited. We are at the Mitchell House, you remember, which is beyond the inner lines; and whil«>, of course. I have been furnished with a pari " she held up the paper for his Inspection, "and have bee also instructed as to th« countersign, I fe*r this will scarcely suffice for the tafe passage of ih« Colonel." The General la ughed good-humored ly, evidently plea led wi, i her assump tlon of military lnowledge. (TO BE CONTINUED.) • r Passing » Q"»d Thing Along. Bessie —Harry s gold watch must be a tort of a U mlly watch. Jessie —Why? Bessie—First V -J has It, and thM his undo has It 1 - The Sb* aad| Substance of being a subscriber to this paper tat thaet yan-mA yoar .fcnrily become attached to it The paper becomes a . member of the finally and its comiqg each weekwtil ' be aa welcome aa the ar rival at anyone thafa dear. It s»ill top 7N |n«n. M .a on the Mn|»o(tii* coismnwhy—l tbs bvptto of the marchanta isaulaiiy sdva*tlasd wfll enable 7* to mtptay timca the coat alt ha HM^Nlan. t—ammmamm* 8 We're Opposed | to H Mail Order Concerns Because— They have never contributed • cent to furthering the intereatt of out towa — Every cant received by thaaa from thu comavKUty if a direct lota to our merchant!— In almoat every cue thai* Ipncaa can ba mat hen, without delay in receiving goad* U and the poaaability of malakei I in filling ordart. j: But- Tha natural human trait li to buy where goodt are die*put. Local pride it uaually arcood ary in the game of life aa played today. Therefore Mr. Merchant and But: mm H Man, meet your competitor* ■ with their own weapont — M adverti>ing. Advertise! The local field i* yourt. All you ooed do it to avail your aelf of the opportunities onered. An aefvertiaefaent in thia paper will carry your iota huixjredt of hornet in thle com munity. It it thaiureat medium of ktßiag your graataat com petitor. A tpaca that aba I was I coat ma Ml. Coma in 1 and tea ua about it, #T^couHTf iHt> CTOE twi LUNCB w,th Br. King's New Bteeowry POBS8 18 *gp&. IAMO utx WWOAT urn umo*iyflwLg> sx:nqi&oToir« laaitcgrgr RCPP^PSP. DO YOU know of anyone who is old enough to read, who has not seen that sign at a railroad crossing? If everyone haa seen It aJLaooa time or other, then why tfoean"* the r«ilro*4 let the aifn |et away? Whfdoea the'rrfUroad company con tin u e to keep those s%ns at every crosstitf t Maybe you think, Mr. Merchant W "Moat everybody knojvi ny I store, I don't have to ad veHial" fij Your atora and need tnofa advertising than the rail. I roada Bead 4a to warn p«qju I to "LOOK Out for the Out* Nothing la ever completed in (ha advertising world. M The Department Stores .as a I j ffl good buafaeas.
The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.)
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Feb. 2, 1912, edition 1
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