Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/218

MY LADY OF THE SOUTH she stood before me, her face calm, but her eyes troubled. Scarcely knowing what to say, I hesitated, and she broke out with a swift question:

"What is it? What has happened? You have been fighting below?"

"Yes, Miss Denslow, but nothing which need alarm you. Affairs have changed very rapidly, but you can remain here in perfect safety. The Federal troop of cavalry which came to my assistance were suddenly fired on by parties concealed in the shrubbery. We lost a number of men, but the survivors succeeded in getting into the house, and have driven their assailants back. Just now it is quiet on both sides, but the truce is probably not lasting."

"What soldiers came to aid you?"

"A troop of Ohio Cavalry, under guidance of one of my scouts."

"Not—not Bill Daniels?" Her eyes were dark with horror, and for the first time I realized that she shared with me the belief that this man was responsible for the many horrors of the night.

"No, he was not with them," I assured her, clasping her hand in sudden desire to give comfort. "He is now in the Federal lines, and has not been here at all. Whoever the murderer may be, he is not Daniels."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely so; my other scout, O'Brien, who is on guard yonder, asserts that Daniels was never out of his sight until after they returned to camp. He is a simple-hearted Irish lad, and, I believe, speaks the truth." [ 204 ]