Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

176 Then from out of the mist into the cloud of dust; from out of the dust into the light of day, emerged a section of cavalry, followed by one hundred men on foot. There came an order to halt. Weary and footsore they rested. As_ they looked toward the httle detachment, the little detachment, wild eyed and hag- gard, looked back at them. Speechless at first, then the men who had suffered a whole lifetime in that night, lifted up their voices as one man, in a great resounding cheer. Both wore the blue! From the head of the forces there rode forth a man—the commander. “Men of the American Army,” he said, and he held on high his sword, “men of Virginia, men who are fight- ing for liberty, raise your voices and give thanks to God—and to your fellow comrade who has brought this thing to pass!” speechless they stood as he rode back and returned to the clearing, lead- ing by the bridle a jet black, foam speckled horse, on which sat a man in civilian’s clothes, and whose soft felt hat concealed the upper part of the bowed head. Speechless they stood when he raised it and pushed back its covering. Before them was a tired, dust stained face, with weary, steadfast eyes; they looked, and as they looked they checred, until the woodlands resounded with the shout and the valleys and the streams and trees echoed and reéchoed the one word— “Vaughan!” x * * a Ravenscroft went forward to meet Vaughan, who stood a little apart and led him to where Lady Jean was sitting on the steps of the summer house. She held out both hands. “TI might go all the wide world over,” she said with infinite gentleness,“ and I could never tell you how much I honor you and thank you for your brave deed. Peyton has just told me how you risked THE ARGOSY. life and hmb in order that he might not be exposed to the perils that beset you on that fearful ride.” “Nay, you must not thank me so,” he answered, flushing and toying ner- vously with the faded plume in his hat, “no dangers were too great to encoun- ter for his sake.” “Ah! Vaughan,” Ravenscroft cried, stretching -out his hand, “ would to Heaven I were worthy of such love.”’ Vaughan grasped the hand and looked down upon it, smiling. “ You should not speak like this; you seem to forget that you were more than eager to take the ride yourself.” “ Aye, but with my impulsive spirit, methinks the mission would have failed. J never would have dreamed to doff my soldier’s garb and disguise myself in civilian’s dress.” “In your unseemly praise, you must remember that for one thing I crave for- giveness.” “ And that is—what?”’ “ All during that long ride, I knew the agony that you were enduring—the agony I caused. I saw no other way, and yet I crave your pardon for caus- ing you one pang.” Ravenscroft bowed his head in his hands. “ Oh, Vaughan!” he said. The voice went on: more mellow and more strong than of old. “T could not bear to see you risking death; you were my friend and kins- man and the little that I hazarded was done for you right gladly; for you ”— he paused and with his other hand drew Jean’s within its firm, strong grasp and brought them together—* for you, dear friend, and yours.” And then he left them and only shook his head in smiling protest when they begged him to remain, for one glance at their happy faces when he met them in the morning told him that Ravens- croft had redeemed his maiden’s pride. With unseeing eyes he walked past the rose bushes, on and on. Blindly he stretched out his hand. COM ElOOO CO