Love under Fire

failure in all my plans, and the knowledge that I would be received at headquarters in anything but honor, weighed heavily upon me, yet this depression did not seal my lips half a

eved to have me go. I was nothing to her; if ever remembered again it would be merely to laugh over my discomfiture in mistaking her for another. It hurt my pride to think this, to thus realize her complete indifference. She was a young woman, and I a young man, and nothing in my nature made surrender easy. I desired, at least, to leave behind me some different impression of my own personality. I was not a fool, nor a failure, and I could not bea

ventured desperately. "I wonder you

onse, rather indifferently uttered. "Meeting othe

ng; you cannot expect me t

face toward me, "neither can

ou could no

h, yes, you would, so I might just as well remain still. Besides it can make no difference anyway. When we reach Jonesboro this morning you will go back to your army, and I shall meet friends. T

are to kn

and I thought h

ave been very kind, and, perhaps, sometime

t Gale

hat r

nois Cavalry, but detai

I am rather gla

is confidence should be mutual. "May

e said quietly. "That is

my lips, but the words would not come. It was altogether new to me, this fear of offending a woman, so new it almost angered, and yet something

armies. Seeking safety the girl had chosen her course wisely--here was desolation so complete as to mock even at the ravages of war. The gray in the east changed to pink, delicately tinting the whole upper sky, objects taking clearer form, a light breeze rustling the long grass. Tirelessly the pony trotted, his head down, the lines lying loose. I turned to gaze at my companion, and our eyes met. Hers were either gray or blue; I could not be certain which, so quickly were they lowered, and so shadowed by long lashes. And they were merry eyes, smiling, and deep with secrets no man could hope to solve. Perhaps she deemed it only fair that I should look

Galesworth, have you

n confused me, bu

s I dare. You were

s my excuse. Would you like to

may not prove alt

that at the very start. All I shall say is you appear be

how? In

atement that you were a lieutenant made me su

twenty

ty. How did you ever gain a c

urt my pride, yet I mana

returned swiftly. "Of course I have been in battle, woun

shoulder straps. War makes men fast; I know that

in this ne

of where we are now. Shall I

although I had not been

w reward your remarkable patience with a full confession. I am going to take quinine back to our hospitals. I w

not; why

le consignment lost. He was my cousin; that is why I am trying what I can do--the boys need

exclaimed, stung by the wo

w you were clothed," and her eyes lost all gleam

jacket, buttoned tightly, and concealing my blue blouse. In swif

I explained hastily. "Don't condemn until you

into my face, with merely the s

attempt to get through your pickets, and this time I succeeded. I found myself in thick brush near a clu

t little catc

rter, heavier-set ma

sentences," she interrupted,

as to the beard I could not

e been Gener

ajor started off to complete arrangements. An aide, with the despatches, was to meet the messenger at the 'Three Corners,' where the little log church is, and then accompany him through the pickets. It was plainly enough my duty to intercept

terested, her lips parted, the quick brea

got to the 'Th

cket-post, but I believed I was there in plenty of time. Then you came rattling down the hill, with an off

r hands in expr

all that time--even befo

too. My limbs are black and blue. I never

humor of the situation appealed to her. No doubt the expression of my face did its part

eral. Well, I helped Billie Hardy out that time, did

y, "yet I cannot say

my earnestness. "I cannot understand t

surely regret my failure. But if I had inte

O

me to k

d the dimple in her cheek, the gray-

o," she retorted pleasantly, "for