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Show whatever color of cloth we wear those outlaw are our conuuon enemies, to be bunted down like wild beau. I bare seen specimens of their fiendish cruelty that make my blood run cold to remember. The very thought of those who are now exposed falling into such hands is enough to erase one: death would be preferable a thousand times, liow many fighting men have you?" Seven fit for duly." Will you ride forward, or go back with us" We must send word and the gat lant fellow's voice shook but Uod knows, Wayne. I want to go back. If we both live 1 am to marry Celia lazoar cmsa&iraucjvcausccscat story opens In a Confederate tent critical singe of the Civil War. Gen. parts to Capt. Wayne an Important to Uinsstreet. Accompanied by Jriergl. Craig. an old army scout. Wayne within etarlH on life mi union. They s the lines of the enemy and In the Wuyna ts taken for a Federal officer and a young lady on horseback Is given in his charge. 8he Is a northern girl and attempts to escape. One of tha horses succumbs and Craig goes through with the dispatches, while Warns and My of the North are left alone. They seek shelter In a hut and entering It In tin dark a hugs mastiff attacks The girl shoots the brute just InWayne time. The owner of the hut. Jed Bungay. and Ills wife n ea r and soon a parly of horsemen approach. They are led by a man claiming to be Red Iiwrie. blit who proves to lie MaJ. Brennan, a Federal officer whom the Union girl recognises, lie orders the arrest of Wayne na a spy and he Is brought before Sbeiwlan. who threatens him with death unless he reveals the secret message. Wayne believes Fdilh Brennan to be the wife of MaJ. Brennan. He Is rescued by Jed Bungay, who etarts to reach Gen. I.e, while Wayne In disguise penetrates to the ballroom beneath which he had been Im- lie Is Introduced to a Miss Srtsoned. barely escapes being unmasked. Edifh Brennan, recognising Wayne, will sava him. Securing a pass she jay turaugh the lines, they are confronted by Brennan, who Is knocked senseless. Then, adieu. Wayne makes a ii.diling i.inli for liberty. He encounters Bungay: reach the and are sent bey 1st vvi'h reinforcement toramp In the Join IcMiie of Shenandoah the Eurly. regiment la rwlielmed. and whllIn the Wayne. I is visited by Kdlth Brennan, ar.d simut-i"r Bungay are sent on a ''iiym defiil. and arriving at the Minor til.ice. Wayne meets Miss Minor and Mrs. iiimgay. and later Edith appears. Tli at a Ijom tn dark-new- - CHAPTER XXVI lie Continued. say. Cap." bn said. Jerking the nut to the mule's hard trot, and grasping bis saddle pommel despersorter reckon as how ther'll ately. I some fun back thar sfore long 'less ill y'gns fau" "Why?" I stared at him, now aroused to tbe thought that l:e had important news to communl-vai- e 1 tto-d- si 1 - tbor-cushl- "1 understand, I said gravely. "Ebers, who is your best rider? it vos dot funny leetle vellow Glen, Captain. Glen, come here. The trooper, a mere' boy, with freckled face and great honest gray eyes, but wiry and tough as aieel, pushed his way through tha group and fared me. Glen, I said, your Sergeant tella me you are the best rider in tbe troop. 1 am going to intruat you with the most Important duty of all. Tfie Uvea of every one of ua and of four helpless wouien depend entirely upon your riding. You take two horsea. kill both if necessary, but atop for nothing until your duty is done. You are to car? a note from me. and another from this gentleman, who la an officer in tbe Federal army, and deliver them both to the commandant of the Brat military post you find. Insist upon reaching him in person. It makes no difference which army the post belongs to, for this Is a matter of humanity. Tbe Federal outpost at McMillan Is the nearest to us; make for there. You understand? 'f The boy saluted gravely, all gone from his face. 1 But Id a darn do, sir," he said. sight rather stay here and fight.. "You will be back in plenty of time to take a hand, my lad. Now, men and I turned to the dark, expectant this Is no ordinary ring about me duty of your enlistment, and I wish no one to accompany me tonight who does not volunteer for the service. Seven Federal soldiers and four women, three of them Virginians, are attacked ut the house we hare Just left by a large party of bushwhacking guerillas, . the offscourings of belL Every one of you knows what that means. Will you go with me to their dosed down about us it proved to be an exceedingly black one, although the skies were clear. Sleep was an Impossibility for me. as my mind was la constant turmoil. Ebers was lying next me upon the grass, solemnly pulling at hia huge pipe, and I held my watch to tbe glow In ita bowl in order to see the time. It was nearly midnight Those fellows ought to be at It before this." I said to him. If they intend to accomplish anything tonight." I dink so too, he answered slowty. I vlll see dot der guard is all right, an den Till get some sleep, for I am pretty moch done op already. He arose ponderously to bis feet and stretched out his short arms in a prodigious yawn. As he stood there, his pudgy figure outlined against the sky, there was borne to our ear tbe sound of a furious struggle on hilltop to tbe south a shout, blows, a volley of cursing, then silence. An instant later we were both running through tbe darkness toward the scene of trouble. What is It, Bands? I questioned breathlessly, as I came suddenly upon the Hi tie group. A fellar on hossback, was the answer. lie come up on us like a strenk out o thet black hollor, an hed 1 a sure got away ef Mason heiln't clubbed him with his gun. I've got the rusa safe collared now. Who are you?" I asked sternly, striving in vain to see something of him through the darkness. Wheie were you riding?" I had scarcely spoken when our prisoner thrust Sands rofthly aside and took one hasty step toward me. My Ood, Wayne! Is it possible this Is you?" he cried excitedly. "Caton? 1 exclaimed, as surprised Caton? What is it? as himself. What Is wrong. Are you from the Minor bouse? Has It been nttnexed? "Yes, be answered, panting yet from his exertion and excitement. "We were to start North with tbe ladies at nine oclock, but the bouse SYNOPSIS. at Minor. y Wal. he explained slowly, whin ye wlnt off, I sorter tuk a notion ter look "hoii t a bit. Used ter he an ol' si 'impin' ground o' mine. So Dutchy on' me dumb thet big hill back o whar we halted, and' by gum, down thar In ther gully on other side t bar's a dunied big camp o fellers." I reined up short, and with uplifted timid signalled the men behind to f . mla-chli- reBcne? No one seemed anxious to be first to speak. I could see them look aside uneasily at one another. Bungay," I said, I feel sure you will go, for your wife Is there. "Marlar?" Yes; Miss Minor told me this after- . halt. Why didn't you tell me this 1 liow questioned sternly, many were there? and what did they look like?" Hu scratched tbe back of his bead HiciK'titfully, and answered with careful deliberation. Dura It, I didn't jli.e ye till after yd started, an' reckon as how It took me all o' tew mile ler git this yere blame muel up whar I cud talk. Thar's quite a ciinart bunch, but they had some picket out, an I cudnt git close nougb ter I ell zackly. Dutchy thought thar wus nigh onier two hundred o 'em, but I Jlst don't know. They wusn't Jresaed like sojera o' either army, an' :! reckon they're out o' ther hills. J glanced at my little handful at men. scarcely knowing what decision If might be wise to make. Undoubtedly i hey would fight If occasion arose. but the odila were terribly teavy; besld-- s. if Brennan came, and his party gol away that same even ivg. as was planned for them to do. 'l eu It might mil be necessary for us o strike a blow. I was certainly in 'n mood to expose my small command Merely to save the empty house rrom ilea! ruction "Kbers." I said, turning toward the who sal his horse with ex! i ess.onN'Ss !aec. "you were with the .:'i!df when lie dlsrovered this camp. many do you think ii coniaim-di'i who were they?" 'VI. here vu more as two gone e.M.ifa. i 'n it:iin, uud dere vos some: In.-leu dey vim dressed vot you ot:er not ncr same. loila i7--a- ll "Nut in uniiorm?" "Dot .us It " "Il.i'e any of ihe r st of you seen i:f:yi!iuig that locked suspicious?" I iisfic-'J- , glancing around Into the dif- - 1 1 t dle?" It ? 1 i : ! r lues. did." answered one of the As we rode up troupers mimed Karl Cie fiihl hill after leaving the bouse my horse picked up a stone, and I had io slop awl gei It out. I reckon I tell l.ehiud a quarter .of a mile or more, mil just un I started I looked back, and a party of ten or twelve fellows was just riding in through them big onto the front lawn. Hut them gaic-fellows was soldiers for sure; they lode like, and all of them 'wore ;im Ii was so far off I couldn't 'tell tbe color of their clothes, but thorn caps made me think lliey was 'Maybe I Feds." chose my course at once. - This undoubtedly must havo been Brennan 1 party. "Thank you. iny man; It would have been better if you had reported that to me at once. I said However, I understand the altuatlon much better now. Sergeant, we will go Into camp here. Post pickets In both directions, but put your most curcful men on that hill yonder. Let them report promptly any signs of fire to tbe southeast, or any sound of guns. We completed all our cooking be fcr e dark, aud when the night finally , Is no good. he protested ve- It vos for der rain come." "AH right; hand it over to the Lieutenant here. Caton, throw that uniform roat of yours into the ditch and don honest gray for once. Bands, come here. Take your knife and cut away every symbol of rank on my Jacket; tear it off, any way you can. In another moment these necessary changes had been accomplished. Now, 1 ordered, pile your sabers there with mine heside the road; then hobble your horses, all but the mule; I shall want him." Does we go der rest of der vay on root? questioned the Sergeant, anxiously. Certainly; and I desire you to remember one Important thing: let me do the talking, but If any or you arc asked questions, we are deserters from Hills corps, tired of the war." Mein Gott!" muttered the German, I hope It vos not long disconsolately. off, Captain; I am no good on foot in der dark, by Chimlny. You had better manage to keep up tonight, unless you are seeking to commit suicide. Now. men, mark me l.oad yotir carbines. Are carefully! all Sergeant, see that each ready? you man has hla gun prnperly charged and capped. You are to carry your arms ns thoroughly concealed as possible; keep close to me always; obey my orders Instantly, and to the letter vc are but twenty men pitted against over two hundred, remember, and when we strike, it must be both quick and hard." 1 mounted the mute, counted the dim figures In the darkness, and then gave the order to march As we moved slowly down Ihe hill I was aware that Caton walked upon one side of me. while Bungay plodded along upon the oilier; hut my iniml was so filled with the exriteiuent or our adventure and all that dc;u,iMl upon its successful culiuluniiori. us scarcely to renlize anything oilier than the part I must personally play Good lortune and omlaclfy alone could cou- hlne to win ihe game we were now engeged upon. A tall heavily hen red mountaineer stood squarely In the middle of tne lire road to the north ol tinhemently. - teri-n- situation before us. My own knowledge of 'he environments of the Minor house helped me greatl.v to appreciate lie the difficulties to be surmounted, had succeeded in his escape by dodging among tbe negro cabins w here tbe attacking line appeared weakest, but expressed the conviction that even this slight gap would be securely closed long before we reached there. Have they sufficient men, then, to cover thoroughly all four sides? 1 asked. To tbe best of my judgment, there must be fully two hundred and fifty In the gang, and apparently they operate under strict military discipline, it la a revelation to ine. Wayne, of the growing power of these desperate felI knew they were becoming lows. numerous and bold, but this surpasses anything I could imagine. More, ther are being constantly recruited by new arrivals. A party of at least a dozen came In while I was hiding behind the stables. I heard them asking for tbe leader. What did they call him? Lory, or Laurie, or something like that. They claimed to be deserters from Ives's army, but two or three of them wore our uniforms. Its Red Lowrie. I said gravely, more impressed than ever with the 1 beard seriousness of the situation. of him two years ago he killed a man in the Sixth North Carolina, and took to the hills. 81nce then he has developed into quite a leader for such scum, and has proven himself a merciless monster. You have no suggestion to offer as to how we bad better attempt to get in?" He shook bis head despondingly. What station does Brennan defend?" 1 asked. The front of the house; the main point of attack has been there." We could distinguish the sound of firing by this time, and Its continuous volume convinced me that Caton'a estimate of the number engaged was not greatly overdrawn. As we topped the summit of the hill a great burst of red fire leaped suddenly high Into the sky. Great God, Wayne! we are too late! he cried widly. Those devils have fired the house. With fiercely throbbing heart I gazed down at the flames far below In the black valley. It Is No. I said with eager relief. the stable which Is ablaze. Bee. the light falls full upon the while side of the house. Thank Heaven, we are not too late. As I sat my horse there, gazing down upon that scene of black rapine, unwilling to venture into its midst until I could formulate some definite plan o' action, fully a dozen wild schemes thronged into my brain, only to be cast aside, one after another, as thoroughly impracticable. We shall have to make a dash (or it and trust In God, said Caton, guessing at my dilemma. No," I answered firmly, there w'ould be no possibility of success in such a course. Those fellows are old hands, and have pickets out See. Caton, that Is certainly a picket-1yonder where the road dips. Evei man of us would be shot down before we penetrated those guard lines and attained the house. We have got to reach their Inner line some way through strategy, and even then must risk being fired upon by our own people before we get within cover. Even as I was speaking I evolved a plan of action desperate it certainly was, yet nothing better occurred to roe. and time was golden. "Ebers, I said, "didn't I see an extra Jacket strapped back of your sad- ls It Possible This Is You? He Cried Excitedly. was surrounded as soon as It became dark. Tbose devils supposed It to be unguarded, and advanced without precautions. We fired and drove them back, lie bad repulsed three attacks when I left at eleven, but three of our men were already bit. "You were after aid? I was striving to reach our adIt vermeil vance pickets at McMillan tbe only possible chance, and none of the men would volunteer to make the ride. One was killed trying It started. God known how 1 hated to leave them, hut It had to be done. How many have you?" Only twenty; but if we could once get inside along with your feliows, we might hold the house until reinforcements eaine. "Tha ns Clod! I knew you won hi!" lie cried joyfully, grasping mo again You are not fervently by the hand. one to hesitate over the color or a uniiorm Hi such a time ns this. Only, Wayne, and he hesitated an Instant, it in right I should tell you that Bren-naIs there, und In command." 1 know It, but those women must be saved nevertheless. answered This Is no firmly, my mind settled. time for personal and quarreling, I I i j rioou, but I had forgotten It." to mention The little man sprang Into the air aud came down with a whoop. "The bloody devils! he cried Ye bet I'll go." "Come. Sergeant, speak up; what do you men say?" "I like not to fight ndt tier Yan-- . kees. he admitted cundidly, "but der voincns. py Chimlny, dot vos minder ting. I vlll go, UapiRin: mein (loti, yaw." 1 ; ' ; "We're with you. sir," siwko voice all it voice gravely around the dark circle, and then Banda added: We'll show them thar Yanks how theJohn-- i ny llebs kin fight, sir. Ten minutes later Glen, hearing Ins two messages to Ihe Blue and Gray, was spccdingly recklessly ihrough the black night northward, while my little squad was moving cautiously back over the road we had so laicly traversed. CHAPTER XXIX. - A Mission for Beelzebub. As we picked our way slowly tor-- ; ward through the gloom I gleaned 1 : Irom Caton all he knew rcgii'-'l'ii- me - ph-kn- i could make out but little of Him as When you are offered anything free the light shone, excepting that he look for the string. wore a high coonskln cap and bore a I long rifle. Stop right thar! out he called Gsrdi-l- d Ti-- s in bully of a Has Isiktiv being herbs. purs, hosllb-giviu- eom-puH- -d Who are hoarsely, upon bearing us. It makes a girl awfully ashamed to you uns? As he challenged, a dozen others let a man kfss her without first putting sprang up from about the flame and. up some sort of a bluff. guns in hand, came toward us on a Is Invaluable for all irrrgulsrt-tlc- f run. Garfield of III liter, kidneys aud bowrls. it Is We uns are doggoned tired o solmade from pure suit wbulukuais herbs. dierin', an' a giltin nuthln' fer it. I an said la the slow Southern drawl, The Worrier. wanter jine yer gang, pervldin' tbar's Knlcker Does Jack worry? any shew fer it. Mocker Yes; he wants to pasteurHow many are ye? asked oue nf ize spilt milk. Judge. the newcomers, striding forward us and the sentry. A better thing than tooth powder to A right smart heap o a bunch; bln cleanse and whiten the teeth, remove a pickin' o' 'em up ever since we left tartar and prevent decay Is a prepara-lio- n I Charlotte. returned evasively. called Paxtlne Antiseptic. At They be dandles ter fight, an' I druggists, 25c a box or sent postpaid reckon as bow ye kin use 'em, cant on receipt of price by The Paxton Toilet Co., Boston, Mass. ye? Maybe; who did ye want ter see? Nothin' In It. Wal, they sed as how a feller Teacher of infant geography class named Lowrie wus a runnln' this yere gang, an if thets ther way o' it, 1 John Mace may tell us what a strait reckon as how It's Lowrie we're after. la. John Mace It's Jus th' plain stuff, Be you Lowrie? ' 'thout nothin' in It Judge. Naw. The answer was so gruff and short, and the fellow hesitated so long in Important to Mothersbuttle of Examine every adding anything to it, I began to think CASTOIMA, carefully a safe end sure remedy for it was all off. infanta and children, and see that it Wal," he consented to say at last, Bears the ungraciously. thaFs a blame pile o Signature of ( In Use For Over 30 Years. Children Crv for Fletchers Castoria Ti-- s n Seemed Like More. The Professor In 140 wasps' nevta there are an average of 25,000 Insects. The Student Why, professor, I disturbed just one nest one duy, aud I'll lid there were more than 25,000 in that oue! True to Hie Trust. "Father," asked the beautiful girl, did you bring home that material for iny new skirt?" Yes." Where is it? Imt me tee? Wait now. Don't be 1 didn't forget It. Im impatient! sure I've got it in one of iny pockets, somewhere." Mixture of Caution and Economy. At the Union depot a few evenings That Feller Thar Is Captain Wayne, ago a mother who had gone to see her o My 01 Reg'ment. daughter, a miss of about 18 years, was heard ye kim in lately, an I calcalate we got safely sinned on a journey, 'bout 'nough fer our business, but I to give the young lady the following reckon as bow Red will use ye some- words of advice just before the train Now, good-by- , my dear. what1. Anyhow you uns kin come started. and recare Take of good yourself me with find an' out. but 'long ye'll with member not to too free be strangdiskiver him 'bout ther ornerest man on the train. But If a nice looking ers now run ever He's ye up again. jlst man should speak to yon be polite to plum mad. Red la, fer sartain." He turned and strode off. without so him he may buy your supper for much as giving us a backward glance, you." Kansas City Star. and. with a hearty congratulatory kick Simple Explanation to the inule. i and my company folTo illustrate a point that ha was lowed him. A hundred yards further in we passed through the fringe of making that his was the race with a trees and emerged into an open space futufe and not a race with a past from whence we could see plainly tbe Booker T. Washington told this little the other day. great white house still Illumined by story was standing by his door one He conwhich flames the continued to sume the stables. Shots were flash- morning when old Aunt Caroline went ing like fireflies out of the darkness by. Good morning. Aunt Caroline, he on every side of us, the smell of burnmorning powder scented the air, and 1 said. Where are you going this ing?" could distinguish the black forme of she Lawzee, Mista Wash'ton, men lying prone on the grass In someI'so what been 'Tse done replied. a line. skirmish thing resembling Kansas City Star. Makln a fight o It. ain't iheyr I gwlne. asked of our taciturn guide, as we picked our way carefully among tbe Deliberating. The Rev. James Hamilton, minister recumbent forms. Damn em, yes. a bell o' a fight. of Liverpool, while on holiday in Scothe admitted bitterly. land, had a narrow escape from from the drowning. Accompanied by a boy, Mr. Just beyond musket-sho- t house, and nearly ;opposite the front Hamilton was fishing for sea-troentrance, quite a group of men were when he slipped on a stone, lost his balwith standing beneath the black shadows of ance, and being encumbered a grove of trees. In spite of the gleam heavy wading boots, had great diffifrom the fire I could make little of culty in keeping hia head shove water. them, but as we approached from tbe Finally he managed to get back to the direction of the rear, oue of them ex- shore, although In a very exhausted claimed suddenly: state, and said to the boy: I noticed Who comes thar? What body o' that you never tried to help me." Na, men is thet?" was the deliberate response, but 1 It's 'nother party o' deserters, as was tblnkln ot." wants ter Jlue us," said the guide, SALLOW FACES They's Johnnies from sourly. army." Caused Often by Tea- and Coffeo Oh. they dew, dew they? Who's Drinking. ther boss o this yere crowd?" I swung down from my seat on the How many persons realize that tea mule's Lack, and stood facing him. as coffee so disturb digestion that and he advanced com"We uns halnt got no boss." I an- they produce a muddy, yelluw plexion? In ahlnd swered. but they sorter fell A ten days' trial of Postum has o' me 'cause I wus astraddle o' this a means, in thousands of cases, proven named Lowne?" muel. He you bad complexion. I reckon; I'm Red proud- of clearing up a A Washn. young lady tells her exheerd tell 'Siiect. maybe, ye've ly o' ine. an If ye hev. ye know ye've got perience: All of us father, mother, sister and ter step damn lively whin I howl. had used tea and Co Hue for brother in ther army?" Whin wus ye many years until finally we all had Corporal." Tbe flames of the burning barn stomach troubles, more or less. We all were sallow and troubled leaped suddenly upward, as if fed by with pimples, bad breath, disagreeable a and Trash flung combustion, some rough races taste in the mouth, and all of us simply brighter glare over the o many bundles of nerves. clustered about us. I saw Red LowWe didn't realize that tea and cofas be peered rie plainly' enough now, fee caused the trouble until one day a scan to face, forward my eagerly coarse-featureman, wlih we ran out of ooffec and went to borheavy-set- , row some from a neighbor. Sim g ive prominent nose, and thick, matted red us some Postum and told us to try soft tieard. lie wore a army bat. under which his eyes shone that. All hough we' started lo make it, maliciously. and he grasped a long I ull fi ll sure that we would be sick we Ae hand. one In big. hairy rifle If we missed our strong coffee, but we gazed at him curiously, some one hastily pushed a way through the tried Postum and were surprised to group at hla back, and the next In-1 Bud It delicious. Wo read the statements on the pkg., stant a i all figure stood at his side. more and In a mouth and a half a newcomer at got single recognized the und for the moment my heart you wouldu't have known us. We nil glance, ' were able to digest our food without fairly choked me II was Craig. "iztwrie." he said, pointing straight any trouble, each one's skin becamo at me. "thaFs somethin' wrong yere. :kar, tongues cleared off, and nerves That Teller thar Is Captain Wayne, o' in fine conuliion. We never use anything now hut postum. There is nothtny oi' reg'ment. (To BI-- : t'ONTINCKU.) ing like It." Name given by Postum Co., I1.it lo Creek, Mich. Rhode Isl.ind's Smi.il Vote. There's a reason.'' and It is exii'H Mu- - Iri.fidcniT I!:, nl. in tho little book, 'Ihe Uoal plained i .luiirunl. eavn a n:.!lir iic. :o Weliville," In pkgs. i m . !v to Ps i Kvee rrsd the kiwi lei I ref A ae ;ilrnni (rum time lu ilnir. Ttrs i.i.GiiJ r i.::j idu are genuine, full uf humus true, " - d wide-brimme- i IM-in- in-n- : ''-r-- ut kn |
