The daily Panola star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1871-1872, 1871-10-31

scriptive powers" 7" to use his own words,
"or Id tell you how she looked !. .but
I'm tirst-rate Judge ov beauty, and
will pledge you my faith that she was
regular stunnin'. That old Scotchman,
standin' or sittin' In front OF that gate all
the time, had aroused my curiosity, and
Taxed a good many questions, trying to
find out what 1t all meant, but could get
from him only sshruggofs his shoulders,
and . peculiar grimaee which meant
very little, or, good deal, Just as 1t hap
| finally made beid-enough to ask the
old Scot, but got from him only surly,
growing mtfmation that l had better
mind nv own business, and not NEEDLE
with the concerns OF others. Shortly af-
terward was called into the store by
the factor, cautioAed against pursuing
my Investigations, and dismissed with q
warning.
The evident desire to keep the secret
Of that cottage was sore temptation to
me, and determined to risk everything
to solve the mystery, but was compelled
to btde my time and opportunity. My
rashness had caused me to be watched,
and it was not until all suspicion had
been allayed that could, with safety,
make another effort. Ee 3ai I s-''e n
! One day was returning from an ex-
cursion up the Payululp river, and was
leisurely walking across one Of those
beautiful prairies which abound IN this
region. Now these prairies are about as
pretty pictures as one can see In days
walk, but they saint worth shucks for
farmin' purposes The soil is hard and
unyielding. the herbage meager, sour,
and fit only for sheep ;seven the deerare-
/ fuse to, o,browse upon it. A wagon or ve-
hicle could travel over it as lightly as
upon a be aten road, while the h0ofs OF
animals hardly more than bruise the
grass; but as they fell upon the ground
/ thew made a noise that could be heard a
long distance. Stopping for moment
under the shade OF a solitary tree 10 en-
ioy the beauty of the scene, my ears
caught the sound Of approaching horses.
Looking in the direction whence the
sound came, saw that one OF them was
ridden by a woman OF not more than six
and twenty years OF age. Her hair was
about the color of cOrn-silk in August,
while her features, notwithstanding they
4 showed traces of sorrow, were very
4 beautiful. The other animal, which was
4 fully two hundred yards In the rear, was
ridden BY the Scottish guard of the cot
tage. Instantly surmised that the beau
\ tifnI female was the prisoner, anC
Stepped out for the purpose Of attract
ing her attention, and giving her an op
portunity to address me- The wOmal
10 sooner caught sight Of me than sh'
turned her horses head toward the spo
where / was standing. The, movemen
was observed by the Scot, who, sinking
his heavy spurs into his horses sides
urged him forward at the top Of hi
, | speed, at the same time shouting;
"Dinna We spake to her eff ye valu
yer life J"
| The lady had the advantage Of be
guard, and was soon beside INC but di
not stop to speak. As she passed, sh
/. gave me a look full of meaning, an
which seemed to say: ~ would CIV
!. worlds for a half hours conversatio
with you, but | will have to postpone
till some other occasion"
] AS the Scot rode past he said; :" \
4 did weel to keep yer tongue within you
mouth.
Thislittle Incident increased my desll
: to know more about the fair prisoner, b.
my Judgment told me that If woul
oSlearn must, use strategy. 4 could NJ
4 understand why the girl should be qua
!. ded so closely, nor why she had pee
: sent TO this ar-out-0f-the-way place 4
: imprisonment. After this quite fr
. auentlyseaughtsight of the prisoner. hi
3 she was always attended by the SEQ
\ who, never, for single instant, relaxt
!, his vigilance, or gave her an opportunil
4 4 to speak to single SOU. Many anigl
d have l lain awake, puzzling my bra
Of over the matter, and wondering II y
mystery would ever be revealed.
IA A year had passed away since my |.
20 20 rival at the fort, aud sill me Yeun9 q
e a. was held prisonefs HI keepers, hoy
3 q ever, had long ceased t0exefclse an
- : pionage upon my actions and NOV
II ments, because had taken pains to
If If Law their suspicious. At length, findil
y that could move about the fort witho
~ having an Indian at my heels, col
~ nienced making preparations for an
81 teryiew with the fair prisoner. It's q
~ ~ necessary for the understanding Of =
~ ~ story that should weary you with 9
"a y planning how 1 laid my plans, constru
s'st Ing scaling ladders from rope made
NJ m bark; how, upon ono dark night. wh
- the rain was pouring down In torren
!, anlthe wind sighed m0urnfhlly thr0u
N; the trees. [ stole forth from my cal
IN IN and soon found myself within the inc
~. sure ana beside the cottage, gazing Ii
,at the room occupied BY her.