Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1912 — My Lady of the North [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

My Lady of the North

RfILOVE STORY OF A GRAY JACKET

by RANDALL PARRISH

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BYNOPSIB. V'J 11 ® Btory open* te a Confederate army at a critical f!£f® of the Civil War. Gen. Lee , to T Captain Wayne a secret message toLongstreet, upon the delivery d^Pen(l great issues. Accomby Sergeant Craig, an old army mission^** 116 s^ar^a ou t on his dangerous J5J*L e oi w l< J squads of soldiers, almost lose their bearings and finally are within the lines of the enemy, havn S penetrated the cordon of pickets unmolested. HL—Encountering a small party of soldiers In the darkness, Wayne Is taken for a federal officer who came to keep an appointment, is accepted as his representauve, and a young lady on horseback is given In his charge. IV.—The female companion ■of the two southern scouts Is & northern J!_L 0 ’ Yi 1 .? n .. she becomes aware of af< tl la tions, slashes Wayne with but fail?* whip and attempts to escape CHAPTER V.—One of the horses giving out, Wayne orders Craig to get through with the dispatches to Long*£*9*- He and My Lady of the North •re left alone near a rocky gorge. YL—The Confederate officer the Union girl thread the mazes of the woods. He discovers a lonely hut. ft*? tlit attacks him. The girl shoots the brute just In time. CHAPTER Vll.—The owner of the hut. one Jed Bungay, appears and he and his Wife give the captain a welcome. Suddenly a party of horsemen are observed coming down the road. CHAPTER Vlll.—They are led by a man claiming to be Red Lowrle. who ordera Mrs. Bungay to give them food, and her husband to act as a guide. The woman discovers the man to be a disguised impostor, attacks the Intruder and there is a general melee. CHAPTER IX.—The disguised leader proves to be Major Brennan, a Federal officer whom the Union girl recognizes. S® orders the arrest of Wayne as a spy. The girl protests and says she will appeal to General Sheridan. CHAPTER X,—Wayne held prisoner In a copse, sees files of Confederates pass the road at a distance and knows that Craig has delivered the message. XL—The captive is brought Ceneral Sheridan who refuses to set him free unless he reveals the secret message. . Xll.—Captain Wayne is led J° HP£? r8 t and that the woman he admires Is Edith Brennan, wife of the Federal officer, who hates him. He is given the choice of revealing the Lee message or of being shot as a spy. CHAPTER Xlll.—Wayne Is rescued from his prison by Jed Bungay. One of them must get a quick report through the lines to General Lee and Jed starts on the mission. CHAPTER XlV.—Finding the garb of an absent officer of the Union artillery. Wayne penetrates to the ballroom, where a social army function is in progress, and pretends to be CoL Curran of Ohio. CHAPTER XV.—The disguised scout is Introduced to a Miss Miner. She knows the Curran family and Wayne barely escapes being unmasked. Edith Brennan appears on the scene. CHAPTER XVl.—Mrs. Brennan recognizes Wayne. She having been led to believe that he had been sent away, learns of the treachery of Maj. Brennan and says she will save him. CHAPTER XVII.—Mrs Brennan secures a pass through the Inner lines and goes part way with Wayne when they are suddenly confronted by Brennan. CHAPTER XVlll.—Brennan attempts to shoot Wayne, but the latter throws his enemy to the ground senseless. CHAPTER XlX.—Bidding My Lady of the North adieu, Wayne starts alone on a wild dash for liberty. Encountering a man in a lieutenant’s uniform, he compels him to accompany him. CHAPTER XX.—His companion turns out to be Jed Bungay In disguise. They clear the Union lines and face towards the Confederate camp. CHAPTER XXl.—Captain Wayne and the faithful Jed reach the Lee camp in safety and are sent away to accompany reinforcements to General Early. CHAPTER XXll.—Wayne and his regiment are sent to save the Confederate army In the battle of Shenandoah. Here a solid wall of blue overwhelms them and the regiment is lost.

CHAPTER XXIII. Field Hospital, Sixth Corps. My head ached so abominably when I first opened my eyes that I was compelled to close them again, merely realizing dimly that I looked up at something white above me, which appeared to sway as though blown gently by the wind. My groping hand, the only one I appeared able to move, told me I was lying upon a camp-cot, with soft sheets abeut me, and that my head rested upon a pillow. Then I passed once more into unconsciousness, but this time it was asleep F When I once more awakened the throbbing pain had largely left my hot temples, and I saw that the swaying white canopy composed the roof of a large tent, upon which the golden sunlight now lay in checkered masses, telling me the canvas had been erected among trees. A faint moan caused me to move my head slightly on the gratefully soft pillow, and I could perceive a long row of cots, exactly similar to the one I occupied, each apparently filled, stretching away toward an opening that looked forth into the open air. A man was moving slowly down the narrow aisle toward me, stopping here and there to bend over some sufferer with medicine or a cheery word. He wore a short white Jacket, and was without a cap, his head of heavy red hair a most conspicuous object. As he approached I endeavored to speak, but for the moment ,my throat refused response to the es-

fort. Then I managed to ask feebly: “Where am I?” The blue eyes in the freckled, boyish face danced good-humoredly, and he laid a big red hand gently upon my forehead. “Field hospital, Sixth Corps,” he said, with a strong Hibernian accent. “An’ how de ye loike It, Johnny?” “Better than some others I’ve seen,” I managed to articulate faintly. “Who won?” “Divil a wan of us knows,” he admitted frankly, “but your fellows did the retratin’.” It was an old, old story to all of us by that time, and I closed my eyes wearily, content to ask no more. I have no way of knowing how long I rested there motionless although awake, my eyes closed to keep out the painful glare, my sad thoughts busied with memory of those men whom I had seen reel and fall upon that stricken field we had battled so vainly to save. Once I wondered, with sudden start of fear, If I had lost a limb* if I was to be crippled for life, the one thing I dreaded above all else. Feeling feebly beneath my bed-cloth-ing I tested, as best I could, each limb. All were apparently intact, although my left arm seemed useless and devoid of feeling, broken no doubt, and I heaved a sigh of genuine relief. Then I became partially aroused to my surroundings by a voice speaking from the cot next mine. “You lazy Irish marine!” it cried petulantly, “that beef stew was to have been given me an hour ago.” “Sure, sor,” was the soothing reply, “it wasn’t to be given yer honor till two o’clock.” “Well, it’s all of three now.” "Wan-thirty, on me sowl, sor.” That first voice sounded oddly familiar, and I turned my face that way, but was unable to perceive the speaker. “Is that Lieutenant Caton?” I asked doubtfully. “Most assuredly it is,” quickly. “And who are you?” “Coptain Wayne, of the Confederate Army.” ‘ “Oh, Wayne? Glad you spoke, but extremely sorry to have you here. Badly hurt?” “Not seriously, I think. No limbs missing, anyhow, but exceedingly weak. Where did they get you?” "In the side, a musket ball, but extracted. I would be all right if that

lazy Irish scamp would only give me half enough to eat. By the way, Wayne, of course I never got the straight of it, for there are half-a-dozen stories about the affair flying around, and those most interested will not talk, but one of your special friends, and to my notion a most charming young woman, Will be in here to see me sometime this afternoon. She will be delighted to meet you again, I’m sure.” “One of my friends?” I questioned incredulously, yet instantly thinking ing of Edith Brennan. “A young woman?” “Sure; at least she has confessed enough to me regarding that night’s Work to make me strongly suspicious that Captain Wayne, of the Confederate Army, and Colonel Curran, late of Major-General Halleck’s staff, are one and the same person. A mighty neat trick, by Jove, and It would have done you good to see Sheridan’s face when they told him. But about the young lady—she claims great friendship with the gallant Colonel or light artillery and her description of his appearance pt the ball is assuredly a masterpiece of romantic fiction. Come, Captain, surely you are not the kind of man to forget a pretty face like that? I can assure you, you made a deep impression. There are times when I am almost jealous of you.” “But,” I protested, my heart beating rapidly, “I met several that evening, and you have mentioned no name.” “Well, to me it chances there is but one worthy of mention,” he said earnestly, “and that one is Celia

Minor.” “Miss Minor!” I felt a strange sense of disappointment “Does she come alone?” 4 "Most certainly; do you suppose she would expose me in my present weak state to the fascinations of any one else?” “Oh, so the wind lies in that quarter, does it, old fellow? I congratulate you, I’m sure.” My recollection of Miss Minor was certainly a most pleasant one, and I recalled to memory the attractive picture of her glossy black hair and flashing brown eyes, yet I felt exceedingly small interest in again meeting her. Indeed I was asleep when she finally entered, and it was the sound of Caton’s voice that aroused me and made me conscious of the presence of others. “I shall share these grapes with my cot-mate over yonder,” he said laughingly. “By the way, Celia, his voice sounded strangely familiar to me a short time ago. Just glance over there and see if he is any one you know.” I heard the soft rustle of skirts, and, without a smile, looked up into her dark eyes. There was a sudden start of pleased surprise. “Why,” she exclaimed eagerly, "it is Colonel Curran! Edith, dear, here is the Rebel who pretended to be Myrtle Currah’s brother.” How the hot blood leaped within my veins at mention of that name; but before I could lift my head she had swept across the narrow aisle, and was standing beside me. Wife, or what, there was that within her eyes which told me a wondrous story. For the instant, in her surprise and agitation, she forgot herself, and lost that marvellous self-restraint which had held us so far apart. “Captain Wayne!” she cried, and her gloved hands fell instantly upon my own, where it rested without the coverlet “You here, and wounded?” I smiled up at her, feeling now that my injuries were indeed trivial. “Somewhat weakened by loss of blood, Mrs. Brennan, but not dangerously hurt.” Then I could not forbear asking softly, “Is It possible you can feel regret over injuries inflicted upon a Rebel?” Her cheeks flamed, and the audacious words served to recall her to our surroundings. “Even although I love my country, and sincerely hope for the downfall of her enemies,” she answered soberly, “I do not delight in suffering. Were you in that terrible cavalry charge? They tell me scarcely a man among them survived.” “I_ rode with my regiment.” “I knew it was your regiment—the name was upon every lip, and even our own men unite in declaring it a magnificent sacrifice, a most gallant deed. You must know I thought instantly of you when I was told it was the act of the —th Virginia.” There were teailPin my eyes, I know, as I listened to her, and my heart warmed at this frank confession of her remembrance. “I am glad you cared sufficiently for me,” I said gravely, “to hold me in your thought at such a time. Our command merely performed the work given it, but the necessity has cost us dearly. You are yet at General Sheridan’s headquarters?”’" “Only temporarily, and simply because there has been no opportunity to get away, the movements of the army have been so hurried and uncertain. Since the battle Miss Minor has desired to remain until assured of Lieutenant Caton’s permanent recovery. He was most severely wounded, and of course 1 1 could not well leave her here alone. Indeed I am her guest, as we depart tomorrow for her home, to remain indefinitely.” "But Miss Minor is, I understand, a native of this State?” “Her home is in the foot-hills of the Blue Ridge, along tie valley of the Cowskin,—a most delightful old Southern mansion. I passed the summer there when a mere girl, previous to the war.” “But will It prove safe for you now?”

“Oh, indeed, yes; everybody says so. It is entirely out of the track of both armies, and has completely escaped despoliation. But you, Captain Wayne; surely you have already risked enough ?” “There is much suffering upon both sides, but surely even you would not wish me to be other than true to what I look upon as a duty?” “No; I—l think I —l respect you the inore.” I clasped her hand close within my own. “Your words encourage me greatly,” I said earnestly. “I have done so much to bring you trouble and sorrow that I have fearful lest it had cost me what I value more highly than you can ever know.” These words were unfortunate, and instantly brought back to her a memory which seemed a barrier between us. I read the change in her averted face. _ "That can never be, Captain Wayne,” she returned calmly, yet rising even as she spoke. "You have come into my life under circumstances so peculiar as to make me always your friend. Celia,” and she turned the others, “is it not time we were going? I am very sure the doctor said you were to remain with Lieutenant Caton but a brief time.” “Why, Edith,” retorted the other, gayly, "I have been ready for half an hour —haven’t I, Arthur?—but you were so deeply engrossed with your Rebel I hadn’t the heart to interrupt.” I could see the quick color as it mounted over Mrs Brennan’s, throat.

"Nonsense,” she answered; "wbhave not been here that length of time.” “Did the Major emerge froir out the late entanglement unhurt?” It was Caton’s voice that spoke. Much to his regret, I believe, he was not even under fire.” The tone was cool and collected again. “I will say good-bye, Lieutenant; doubtless shall see you at Mountain View so soon as you are able to take the Journey. And, Captain Wayne, I trust I shall soon learn of your complete recovery." My eyes followed them down the long aisle. At the entrance she glanced back, and I lifted my hand. Whether she marked the gesture I do not for the next instant both ladies had disappeared without. The night drew slowly down, and as It darkened, only one miserable lamp shed its dim days throughout the great tent; nurses moved noislessly from cot to cot, and I learned something of the nature of my own Injuries from the gruff old sujgeon who dressed the wound in my chest and refastened the splints along my arm. It must have been midnight, possibly even later, when a number of rapid shots fired outside the tent aroused me, and I heard many voices shouting, mingled with the tread of horses’ feet. The night-watch had already disappeared, and the startled inmates of the tent were In a state of intense confusion. As I lifted myself slightly, dazed by the sudden uproar and eager to learn its cause, the tentflap, which had been lowered to exclude the cold night air, was hdßtily jerked aside, and a man stepped within, casting one rapid glance about that dim interior. The flaring lamp ovjrhead revealed to me a short, heavy-set figure, clad In a gray uniform.

‘No one here need feel alarm,” he said quietly. “We are not rhaking war upon the wounded. Are there any Confederates present able to travel?" A dozen eager voices answered him, and men began to crdwl out of their cots onto the floor. "We can be burdened with no helpless or badly wounded men,” he said sterply. "Only those able to ride. No, my man, you are in too bad shape to travel. Very sorry, my boy, but it can’t be done. Only your left arm, you say? Very well, move out in front there. No, lad, it would be the death of you, for we must ride fast and hard.” He came to a pause a half-dozen cots away from me, and seemed about to retrace his steps. Dim as the light was, I felt convinced I had formerly seen that short figure and stern face with its closely cropped beard. “Mosby,” I called out, resolved to risk his remembrance, “Colonel Moaby, isn’t it possible to take me?” “Who are you?” he questioned sharply, turning in the direction of

my voice. ‘‘Wayne,” I answered eagerly, “Wayne, of the —th Virginia." In an Instant he was standing beside my cot, hls eyes filled with anxious interest. “Phil Wayne, of Charlottesville? You here? Not badly hurt, my boy?” “Shot and bruised, Colonel, but I’4 stand a good deal to get out of this]” “And, by the Eternal, you shall; that Is, If you can travel In a wagon. Here, Sims, Thomas; two of you carry this officer out. Take be ..-clothes and all—easy now.” The fellows picked me up tenderly, and bore me slowly do„n the central aisle. Mosby walked beside us as far as the outer opening. “Put him down there by the fire,” he ordered, “until I look over the rest of these chaps and divide the wheat from the chaff.” (To be continued)

“Captain Wayne!” She Cried.