Mechanically she obeyed, saying, "No, mars'r, but dat squinch-owl
des shook me like a ghos'."

Before she knew it he was beside her, his eyes shining with
excitement. "There," he said, putting into the hand he pressed a
ten-dollar bill, "I'll see you again, and you won't be sorry. Good-
by," and with a swift glance around he strode away toward the run. A
moment or two later he was mounted on the bare back of Mad Whately's
horse, following Chunk down the stream so that the flowing water
might obliterate the hoof-prints. They soon left the water and put
their horses to a gallop toward the forest, within whose shades they
disappeared. Both had deemed best not to tell Aun' Jinkey of their
departure, so that she might honestly plead ignorance.

With the unerring instinct of a scout the soldier led the way hour
after hour toward the point where he expected to find the Union
cavalry force. On the way he and Chunk compared notes, and thus
Scoville more truly understood Miss Lou's position. "We must be back
to-morrow afternoon," he said, "in time to prevent this marriage.
So, Chunk, be careful. You must not get sleepy or let your horse
stumble."

Leaving them to pursue their way to the northwest, we can return to
The Oaks. Miss Lou followed her aunt into the house, burdened for
the moment with a new and pressing anxiety. Did the resolute old
lady suspect that one of the class which she most detested had been
concealed within earshot of her voice, and would a search be
instituted? The girl's sympathies had gone out to the stranger, and
the fact that he so trusted her appealed strongly to her woman's
nature. In her alienation from her relatives she was peculiarly