A Little Union Scout

e veins on his neck and forehead were swollen with indignation. Before he could say anything Jasper Goodrum inter

"it is not your affair. How ca

better not bother the countryman

n't git out without wettin' his feet." Then he turned to me, his eyes full of venomous

in, but he never reached me, for Whistling Jim ran into him head down like a bull. The result was a collision that put the man out of business and knocked all the fight out of him. He lay on the floo

n into him head

was holding me by the sleeve of my coat. I turned to him, and I was more certain than ever that he was either Jane Ryder or her brother. But it was only when she spoke again that I was sure-for not even a twin

no more trouble here,

f I were sure of t

e to take you to your friends, if you have any in the neighborhood; otherwise yo

k you for the unnecessary protection you have given

ain in this house to-night. That is settled." She made a birdlike movement with her head and shoulder

ll I go?"

man on the floor. He had raised himself to a sitting posture, and was rocking

here good-night-the lady you spoke with." She ran into the inner room, and then I heard her going lightly upstairs. She came down in a moment with color in her face and with some agitat

r spurs. But she declared that her horse was well enou

for the moment that I was dealing with a woman, and I threw my arm li

dare to touch me!" For an instant I knew not what to do or say, and then it suddenly occurred to me that it would be well to hide from her the fact that I knew who sh

o-night? But for you--" she paused and glanced up into my face, and placed her hand on mine. And then I would have known if I had not known before that she was no other than Jane Ry

d to her. Instinctively she seized it and clung to it a

she was saying, but of the warm little hand that nestled so confidingly in mine. I knew then, or thought I knew, that this little hand so soft and white, nestling in my big pa

mpostor. I think he is the scout they call Leroy." Whereupon she gave utterance to a laugh so merry that it sounded out of place in the gloomy woods. It

rfectly safe there. You have been very kind to me-kinder than you know. We have both seen eac

altogether a woman. I do not remember all that was said, but I tried as hard as I could to conceal from her the fact that I had discovered her sex and her identity; I

o in," I said. "The ni

s the best friend I have in the world except my mother. Good-night!" She held out her hand, and again it nestled, white and soft and warm, in m

er who was wounded some time ago. He has been in a very bad way, but he is better now. While he was at the worst of his illness he was constantly calling the names of some

replied. "Shannon I have never met

l on the wounded man it would do him good-though I am astonished that he should desire to see rebel

ure she believed what she said for the moment. "I shall take pleasure in informing

"I met him once, and it needed onl

was he?" I

more the little fluttering hand touched mine, and away she marched into the darkness. At the steps she turned and listened

you safe in the

"You must think me a child or a woman." With that she slipped throug