Then as the
carriage stopped, and she sprang quickly to the ground, the man in gray
came out upon the portico, and she saw that it was Jack Morson.
"I've come for Virginia, Betty," he began impulsively, as he took her hand,
"and she promises to marry me before the battle."
Betty laughed with trembling lips. "And here is the dress," she said gayly,
holding out the yellowed silk.
VI
ON THE ROAD TO ROMNEY
After a peaceful Christmas, New Year's Day rose bright and mild, and Dan as
he started from Winchester with the column felt that he was escaping to
freedom from the tedious duties of camp life.
"Thank God we're on the war-path again," he remarked to Pinetop, who was
stalking at his side. The two had become close friends during the dull
weeks after their first battle, and Bland, who had brought a taste for the
classics from the lecture-room, had already referred to them in pointless
jokes as "Pylades and Orestes."
"It looks mighty like summer," responded Pinetop cheerfully. He threw a
keen glance up into the blue clouds, and then sniffed suspiciously at the
dust that rose high in the road. "But I ain't one to put much faith in
looks," he added with his usual caution, as he shifted the knapsack upon
his shoulders.
Dan laughed easily. "Well, I'm heartily glad I left my overcoat behind me,"
he said, breathing hard as he climbed the mountain road, where the red clay
had stiffened into channels.
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