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MY LADY OF THE NORTH

The Love Story of a Gray Jacket


By Randall Parrish




Contents

CHAPTER

        I.  A DESPATCH FOR LONGSTREET
       II.  THE NIGHT RIDE
      III.  AN UNWELCOME GUEST
       IV.  A WOMAN WITH A TEMPER
        V.  A DISASTER ON THE ROAD
       VI.  A STRUGGLE IN THE DARK
      VII.  A DISCIPLE OF SIR WALTER
     VIII.  MRS. BUNGAY DEFENDS HER HEARTHSTONE
       IX.  IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY
        X.  A WOMAN'S TENDERNESS
       XI.  IN THE PRESENCE OF SHERIDAN
      XII.  UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH
     XIII.  A STRANGE WAY OUT
      XIV.  I BECOME A COLONEL OF ARTILLERY
       XV.  AT THE STAFF OFFICERS' BALL
      XVI.  THE WOMAN I LOVED
     XVII.  THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY
    XVIII.  THE REPUTATION OF A WOMAN
      XIX.  THE CAVALRY OUTPOST
       XX.  A DEMON ON HORSEBACK
      XXI.  REINFORCEMENTS FOR EARLY
     XXII.  THE BATTLE IN THE SHENANDOAH
    XXIII.  FIELD HOSPITAL, SIXTH CORPS
     XXIV.  A NIGHT RIDE OF THE WOUNDED
      XXV.  A LOST REGIMENT
     XXVI.  THE SCOUTING DETAIL
    XXVII.  AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION
   XXVIII.  WE CAPTURE A COURIER
     XXIX.  A MISSION FOR BEELZEBUB
      XXX.  A UNION OF YANK AND REB
     XXXI.  A CONVERSATION IN THE DARK
    XXXII.  HAND TO HAND
   XXXIII.  A BELLIGERENT GERMAN
    XXXIV.  THE WORDS OF LOVE
     XXXV.  A PLAN MISCARRIED
    XXXVI.  THE LAST RESORT OF GENTLEMEN
   XXXVII.  THE LAST GOOD-BYE
  XXXVIII.  THE FURLING OF THE FLAGS
    XXXIX.  MY LADY OF THE NORTH




MY LADY OF THE NORTH

The Love Story of a Gray-Jacket



CHAPTER I

A DESPATCH FOR LONGSTREET


It was a bare, plain interior,--the low table at which he sat an
unplaned board, his seat a box, made softer by a folded blanket. His
only companions were two aides, standing silent beside the closed
entrance, anxious to anticipate his slightest need.

He will abide in my memory forever as I saw him then,--although we were
destined to meet often afterwards,--that old gray hero, whose masterly
strategy held at bay for so long those mighty forces hurled on our
constantly thinning lines of defence. To me the history of war has never
contained his equal, and while I live I shall love and revere him as I
can love and revere no other man.

"General Lee," said one of the aides, as I passed the single sentry and
drew aside the flap to step within, "this is Captain Wayne."

He deliberately pushed aside the mass of papers which had been engaging
him, and for an embarrassing moment fixed upon me a glance that seemed
to read me through and through. Then, with simple dignity, far more
impressive than I can picture it in words, he arose slowly and extended
his hand.

"Captain Wayne," he said gravely, yet retaining his grasp, and with his
eyes full upon mine, "you are a much younger man than I expected to see,
yet I have selected you upon the special recommendation of your brigade
commander for services of the utmost importance. I certainly do not hold
your youth to be against your success, but I feel unwilling to order you
to the performance of this duty, which, besides being beyond the regular
requirements of the service, involves unusual risks."

"Without inquiring its nature," I said hastily, "I freely offer myself
a volunteer for any service which may be required either by the army or
yourself."

The kindly face brightened instantly, almost into a smile, and a new
look of confidence swept into the keen gray eyes.

"I felt, even as I spoke," he said, with a dignified courtesy I have
never marked in any one else, "that I must be doing wrong to question
the willingness of an officer of your regiment, Captain Wayne, to make
personal sacrifice. From our first day of battle until now the South has
never once called upon them in vain. You are from the ranks, I believe?"

"I was a corporal at Manassas."

"Ah! then you have won your grade by hard service. You take with you one
man?"

"Sergeant Craig of my troop, sir, a good soldier, who knows the country
well."

He lowered his eyes to the numerous papers littering the table, and
then, leaning over, traced lightly with a  pencil a line across
an outspread map.

"You speak of his knowing the country well; are you aware, then, of your
destination?"

"I merely inferred from what Colonel Carter said that it was your desire
to re-establish communication with General Longstreet."

"That is true; but do you know where Longstreet is?"

"Only that we of the line suppose him to be somewhere west of the
mountains, sir. It is camp gossip that his present base of supplies is
at Minersville."

"Your conjecture is partly correct, although I have more reason to
believe that the head of his column has reached Bear Fork, or will by
to-morrow morning. Kindly step this way, Captain Wayne, and make note of
the blue lines I have traced across this map. Here, you will observe,
is Minersville, directly beyond the high ridge. You will notice that
the Federal lines extend north and south directly between us, with their
heavier bodies of infantry along the Wharton pike, and so disposed as
to shut off all communication between us and our left wing. Now, the
message I must get into Longstreet's hands is imperative; indeed, I will
say to you, the very safety of this army depends upon its reaching him
before his advance passes Bear Fork. There remains, therefore, no time
for any long detour; the messenger who bears it must take his life
in his hands and ride