Jackson County, Georgia - Chapter 3 (5 of 5 so headed), 1914

It was sunrise, that glad transition from the gloom of a dreadful night to the golden light of a balmy summer morning. Some distance beyond the river, further than the shouts of the preceeding night, the Federal bands struck up a lively air, and now and then the neighing of horses mingled with the morning revielle. These were the only sounds that greeted the ears of the weary pickets just off duty, except Jim Warren and Loyd King who asked and received permission to remain at Post No. 1 "until" as the latter expressed it, "the crack of doom if necessary. ' '

Near by was a deep hole apparently made by high water. In this the body of Capt. Phil Dimple, wrapped in his make-believe blanket was placed, and, when covered with several feet of sand, was left to his fate. There, unless molested by the same agency that dug his rude grave, his dust still sleeps.

"Jim," said Loyd, in a perplexed manner, "I just now took a peep into the hollow tree, and that little angel of some sort is sleeping like a kitten on a hearth rug. I'll swear by all the moons of Jupiter she'll pass for your sister Mary, anywhere. She's as pretty as a rosebud in a sugar loaf, and looks ten thousand pounds sweeter. You know I thought her beautiful from the start ; but the great scott ! I did not think such a scrap of mortality could look so ethereal and divine in open daylight, that is, if she be mortal."

"Well, now that I think of it, I understand the whole matter. This is a fairy island, and the queen of the whole troop is at this moment sleeping in her palace. Invisible to us millions of them are hovering around us now. It may be that Mary Warren is a fairy, too, gone to live with you, because you are a clever fel-

Jim went to the tree and cautiously looked in. A bewildered expression passed over his features, he crossed his arms behind him, and gazing intently, he remained motionless for several minutes. Finally his arms fell limp at his side and he slowly walked away. Though strong among the strongest men, he wept like a child.

"Yes, my friend, much that you said is true. Perhaps you think it unmanly of me to weep ; but as I think of the stormy sea over which that little creature has just been tossed, and of her condition now, I am too manly not to weep. Sure enough she is as much like sister Mary as two peas in a hull. This, coming to our knowledge as it was, is very strange indeed; but when I tell you that her name is Warren - Nellie Warren - and that the blood which flows through her veins flows through mine also, the whole matter presents a chapter of romance in real life that overcomes me as I attempt to read it.

"Even now," the speaker continued, "the position of her silent weapon shows how faithfully the Warren blood has been transmitted down to this sleeping child of a distant generation. An arrow is in place, and I judge when she fell asleep her bow was ready for immediate action. Both bow and arrows appear to be of steel, and the string of fine copper wire, all in keeping with the classically turned little hands which, even in sleep, seem to grasp them firmly."

Thought took the place of speech and the two soldiers sat in silent meditation. While thus engaged the "fairy queen" awoke and came out of her "palace" with bow and arrows in her hands. She was radiantly beautiful, and advanced to meet them with a smile "so sweet," Loyd King said, "that it melted his body off of his legs."

" 0 no ! " said Jim. "To you sleep was of first importance. To us it was a pleasure to watch and wait while you took the rest so much needed. This, Miss Warren," he continued, pointing to Loyd, "is Mr. King, my lifelong friend."

"My own cousin Nellie, for by this endearing title I may now call you," said Jim, as Loyd went away, "tell me where you left your boat last night? I'll need one this evening."

"I hid it among the brush at the top of the tree, because its presence at or near the clay-root might have betrayed my presence, also. If this little ruse failed, I expected this bow to be my next best friend."

She did not answer immediately nor withdraw her hand; but finally turning her large blue eyes, which were as soft and liquid as those of a gazelle, full upon him, and placing her free hand on his shoulder, said:

The soldier felt a little reproved for using the word "stars;" but as Capt. Atwater was seen coming across the island the conversation was dropped.

With a smile of gladness on his handsome face, the Captain approached and gave the anxious soldier a paper which gave "private James Warren of the C. S. A., leave of absence for five days," and stipulated that "if said Warren did not report to his command within said time, judgment is to be suspended for five additional days."