Adventure Magazine Cover, June 18, 1921 — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

132 every thought you’ve had concerning Ellis Ambros. He has been my most successful spy. The news I’ve received so promptly was furnished by him and sent to Elsie Mac- son, who relayed it tomy camp. This mis- adventure spoils his usefulness. But let it be remembered that no stancher patriot lives in South Carolina, or in any of. these United States.” CHAPTER XIII PICTURES E WERE at Snow’s Island—Elsie, her two brothers and myself, and Captain Posby had formally settled the matter of his parole and was about to leave us. We were indulging in light talk to hide our true feelings and I said— “Captain, you will remember your prom- ise to tweak a certain individual’s nose?” “Gad! I do. And [ll keep my word.” “T told you I would give you the oppor- tunity.” “Let it pass, old Jim. I’ve lost heart a bit for everything. It must be the cursed water we drink or the general’s vinegar he asked me to try. It was no promise you made,” he morosely answered. “T consider it a promise. Behold my wife to be, Elsie Macson.”’ “Haven’t you driven me crazy with envy already?” he complained as he bowed deeply to the blushing Elsie. “In looking at her you also behold the first Lieutenant Drance to enter Charles- ton.” “Eh? Ha, ha! One of your beastly clever jokes, I take it. Mistress Elsie the bogus Drance! Clever, Ill swear! And yet, what’s so infernally funny about such a grotesque conceit? No, Jim! The more I think of it the less I care for the associa- tion.” “IT was the make-believe Lieutenant Drance, Captain Posby,” she gravely as- sured him. And her countenance’ was so sober of expression I wondered if she was again seeing the city-gate in the torchlight or hearing the tramp of Wemyss’ horsemen. Posby was much upset by this revelation and for some time could say nothing. Then he began muttering: Adventure “Lieutenant Drance, ruffler and gay blade, and Mistress Elsie Macson, thor- oughly womanly, exquisitely charming— one and the same! God bless us, Jim! My reason’s going.” Then his dignity came back to him and bending low over her small brown hand he kissed it and straightening, solemnly de- clared: “One of his Majesty’s officers must break his word. It’s time I was going home.” That little picture remains more clear to me than many of the stirring events which followed. There were the local yet pivotal affairs of the Cowpens, Guilford Court House, Hobkirk’s Hill, and Eutaw Springs, through which I passed with excellent for- tune, and of which I recall but few details, for my heart was back with my girl wife. There was Cornwallis’ withdrawal into the Virginia trap, driven there by the brilliant Greene, whose maneuvering of a smal] army places his technique at the head of all similar military achievements. And so on through the rest of the war. There was that proud] day in December when we marched into Charleston and were tearfully greeted from windows and doors, from balconies and roofs, with the heartfelt, “‘God bless you, gentlemen!” and ‘‘You are welcome, gentlemen!” There was Uncle David, sturdiest of patriots now, making much ado about our entry. How delighted the old gentleman was to see me! How pleased and proud he was to have had Elsie with him while waiting for our coming! What toasts we drank to these United States, and how gleefully my uncle insisted that he knew all along how it would g]l end, and that his Toryism was simply a subterfuge to confound the enemy! And how oblivious I was to all those details because of my great joy in beholding her again! But if war memories are blurred and I find myself failing to recall much that was in each picture, there is one golden thread I can trace throughout all the years, the memory of that gallant soldier and good friend, Beau Posby, Captain Posby, an ornament and pillar of his Majesty’s army until the fate of his calling overtook him. God rest his generous soul and the soul of all others like him. THE END COMmicloo oN ) CO