Love under Fire

by Randall Parrish

  CHAPTER V

  ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS

  The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was inearnest. Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young womanwas an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state ofconstant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the nexthiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemedhelpless to penetrate. Yet this very changeableness was attractive,keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiarcharm. As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost inchallenge, which I met instantly.

  "Perhaps not--but I shall."

  "Oh, indeed! Is this conceit, or determination?"

  "The latter assuredly. Why is it not possible for one to know you?"

  "Really I cannot tell," not altogether displeased at my decision, "yetit would border upon a miracle, for I do not even know myself. Besides Idoubt your having the opportunity for sufficient study--that isJonesboro yonder."

  The road rounded the crest of a sharp hill, and, from off the summit, wecould look directly down into the river valley. Except for little grovesof scrub oak it was open country, the broad stream showing clearlybetween green banks, with few cultivated fields in sight. We had turnedtoward the north, and the straggling town lay directly in front twomiles away, so hidden behind trees the houses were scarcelydistinguishable; a quarter of a mile below was the bridge. I stood up,thrusting my head beyond the carriage cover, so as to see better. To thewest the woods concealed everything. It was somewhere in that directionBeauregard's troops were encamped, yet, even if they were alreadyadvancing to unite with Johnston, they would hardly cross the country sofar to the north. Knowing the situation as I did I felt little fear ofany encounter with Confederates. Our cavalry were patrolling all theroads across the river, and, as late as the previous day, were guardingthe Jonesboro bridge. I could see no signs of any such guard now,however, yet the trees were thick and obscured the view, and that heavydust cloud to the right was probably caused by the passing of a troop ofhorse. Convinced that this would prove to be either a cavalry vidette,or a Federal foraging party, it made me more anxious to get quicklydown into the town, hopeful they might have a spare horse with them, andI pointed out the dust spirals to my companion.

  "If you have friends in Jonesboro," I said, "I've also got some coming."

  "Who are they?" her eyes on the distant dust. "Yankees?"

  "Certainly; there are none of your people on that side of the river.Beauregard is out yonder in those hills. Let's drive on, the townlooks quiet."

  She leaned forward, holding to the edge of the carriage cover to keepher balance, her glance turning toward the southwest.

  "If those are your people they mustn't see me," she said quietly, alittle accent of pleading in her voice. "You promise that first?"

  "Of course," although surprised at her asking. "I know it is our ordersto intercept everything which can aid the enemy, but I don't feelinclined to prevent your taking quinine to the poor fellows in thehospital. War hasn't made me as inhuman as that. We can easily reach thetown ahead of that squad of cavalry, and if you have some safe placethere to go, and will only keep indoors, there is no danger ofdiscovery."

  "I have," eagerly, "Judge Moran's house; you can see its gable thereamong the trees. He is so old he has not even been conscripted." Shelaughed, flashing a look aside at me as she shook the reins and appliedthe whip. "I wonder what he will think when he sees me driving upalongside a Yankee. It will be like the end of the world. No, don't talkto me any more; I've got to conjure up a nice, respectable story totell him."

  She remained very quiet as we rattled down the hill, her foreheadpuckered, her gaze straight ahead. Suddenly she asked,

  "Do you sometimes tell falsehoods?"

  "Guilty."

  "Are they ever justified?"

  "Well, really I don't know; from the standpoint of the strict moralist Ipresume not; but it is my judgment the strict moralist wouldn't lastlong in time of war."

  I was amused at the earnestness with which she looked at me, apparentlyweighing my words as soberly as though they had important meaning.

  "What's the trouble? If there is any prevaricating to be done, turn itover to me--I have become an expert."

  "No doubt," her face brightening, "but I must attend to this casemyself. Judge Moran will have to suppose you a Confederate spy. No, nota word of protest will I listen to. If you go along with me, it must beexactly as I say; there is no other way, for otherwise he would neverreceive you into the house."

  "Oh, very well," I replied indifferently, my eyes marking the swiftapproach of that distant squad of cavalry. "The masquerade will beshort, and well worth while if it only earns me a breakfast with you."

  The toss of her head was hardly complimentary. We were in the tree-linedstreets by this time, and suddenly she wheeled the pony in through anopen gate-way. The house was large, painted white, of distinctlySouthern architecture, the broad stone steps surmounted by roundedpillars. On the porch a man sat smoking. He arose instantly, hat inhand, and came down to meet us. His was a tall, slender, slightlystooped figure, a finely chiselled face, the hair and beard white. Hiseyes, apparently as keen as ever, instantly recognized the girl, hisstern features relaxing into a smile of welcome.

  "I am surprised and pleased to greet you, Miss Willifred," cordiallybowing over her extended hand. "'Tis a long while since we have seenyou here."

  "Not from any doubt of your hospitality, Judge, but the armies have madetravelling unsafe."

  "True; we live in constant peril. The Yankees have driven off mynegroes, and also robbed me of every horse on the place. Your father,the major, is well?"

  "In most excellent health, thank you. He was wounded at Chattanooga, butsoon recovered. We had him at home with us for a month."

  "So I heard. A young Louisiana officer, a Captain Le Gaire, gave me newsof your family. He was through Jonesboro with a scouting party two daysago. He seemed very glad to talk about you, my dear."

  The girl's face flushed, as she withdrew her hand, attempting a laugh.

  "We are excellent friends, yet really it does not require any deepinterest to induce Captain Le Gaire to talk. That is one of hisspecialties."

  "I suspected as much, yet I found his conversation highly interesting.He is intelligent, and has travelled widely. But come, my dear, let mehelp you down. I am such an early bird I have breakfasted already, yetthere will be something ready for you, and your companion."

  His gaze surveyed me for the first time, and he stepped back, his eyesdarkening suspiciously.

  "But what have you here--a Yankee?"

  "So far as uniform goes, yes," she answered lightly, descending over thewheel, and adroitly dodging a direct reply. "But all things are not asthey seem, outwardly. Surely, Judge, you do not suppose I would everharbor one of the enemy? If I vouch for the gentleman it should besufficient."

  He took my hand cordially enough, yet with a question still in his keenold eyes.

  "I am glad to know you, sir. Any friend of Miss Willifred's is a friendof mine, but I'm damned if I like that color."

  "The nature of my mission makes it necessary," I explained.

  "Exactly, sir, exactly; I understand perfectly. Alight, and come in, butyou wear the first Yankee uniform ever welcomed to my house. Come rightalong, both of you. I've got one servant left, who will attendthe pony."

  Twenty minutes later we were breakfasting together in a cool, spaciousroom the windows of which opened upon the porch. The judge, aftersatisfying himself that we were being well served, had disappeared,leaving us alone. It was a beautiful morning, the birds singing outside,the sunlight sifting through the branches of the great oaks shading thewindows. Not a sound, other than the rustling of leaves, broke thesilence. My companion appeared disinclined to talk, her eyes turned awayfrom me. The constraint became so marked I endeavored to startconversation, but with poor result.

  "Our meeting has been an odd on
e," I began, "romantic enough to form abasis for fiction."

  Her glance shifted to my face.

  "Do you think so? I merely find it extremely embarrassing."

  "Then I will withdraw at once," I insisted, hurt by the indifference ofher voice. "I had supposed you wished me to remain until now--surelyyour words implied this."

  "Oh, yes! I did, and you are in no way to blame. It was an impulse, andI failed to realize that it would involve deceit to an old friend.Perhaps I am too easily hurt, but I am afraid Judge Moran half suspectsthe truth. Anyway you must go immediately."

  "We shall part as friends?"

  She hesitated, as though considering the full intent of my request.

  "Hardly that, Lieutenant Galesworth. The word 'friend' should mean much,and we are merely chance acquaintances--politically enemies."

  "I had hoped that difference--merely the accident of war--might havebeen swept aside. It has no personal weight with me, and I supposed youwere of broader mind."

  "I am," she responded earnestly. "Some of my best friends areNortherners, wearing that uniform, but, as it chances, we have met inwar, playing at cross-purposes. You are a Federal scout whom I haveunwittingly helped through the Confederate lines. Surely I have doneenough already to help you--perhaps to injure the cause I love--withoutbeing asked for more. Under other conditions we might continue friends,but not as matters stand."

  "Yet later--when the war ends?"

  "It is useless to discuss what may occur then. There is littlelikelihood we shall ever meet after to-day. Indeed, I have no wish thatwe should."

  It was a dismissal so clearly expressed I could only bow, wondering whatit was I saw in the depths of her eyes which seemed almost to contradictthe utterance of the lips.

  "You leave me no choice."

  "There is none. I have no desire to be considered an enemy, and there isno possibility for us to become friends. We are but the acquaintances ofa chance meeting." She held out her hand across the table, the impulsivemovement robbing her words of their sting. "You understand this is notindifference, but necessity."

  I clasped closely the white fingers extended toward me, my heartthrobbing, but my lips held prisoners by her eyes.

  "Yes, I understand perfectly, but I make no promise."

  "No promise! What do you mean?"

  "Only that to my mind this is no mere chance acquaintance, nor is itdestined to end here. Sometime I am going to know you, and we are goingto be friends."

  "Indeed!" her eyes dropped, the shadow of lashes on her cheeks. "You arevery audacious to say that."

  "Yet you are not altogether sorry to hear me say it."

  "Oh, I do not take your words seriously at all. They are mere Yankeeboasting--"

  She stopped suddenly, the slight flush fading from her cheeks as shearose to her feet, staring out through the open window. It was the soundof horses' hoofs on the gravel roadway, and I sprang up also,endeavoring to see. A squad of troopers was without, dusty, hard-ridingfellows, uniformed in Confederate gray.