Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-23
much even when the young lady present

Smith. I thought from what Fred said
that you still wore it in q sling"
Who the deuce was Fred9 and how did
he know about the broken arm9 Was he
really in dream stillg or had he been
mistaken for somebody elseQ If the lat
ter was true, it was all very strange in
deed; and he could not regard it as moth
ing less than special providence ar
ranged for his miraculous deliverance
from rain and starvation. It was not for
him, mere lieutenant of infantry, to in
terfere with the wise designs of Omnis-
cience. If there was any mistake he
made up his mind that he would not i'm
mediately correct it. Nay: it was not
his duty to lend himself to the fraud9 He
would carry it out if possible, for few
hours, at least; then he would take
French leave, and sneak off early. He
must have supper, and a nights lodging,
somewhere.
So he finally mustered courage to look
at his companion. The hood of the
waterproof was thrown back now, reveal
ing bright piquant face under becom-
ing turban hat. She was not looking at
him. He had hardly spoken word since
they met; and she was good deal
puzzled, and not little disguised. Was
this tho friend Fred had gone into costa
cies over? and who had been such lion
at the the West Point balls last season9
She took heart, however, when at last he
began to talk little, although his con-
versation amounted to nothing more than
some passing object. When, presently,
she asked him something about Fred, he
froze up again, and replied in the blind
est kind of way.
The young lady's tongue was loosened
however; and, since the lieutenant would
not talk, she kept ur lively conversation
with the boy on the front seat,-evident-
ly her brother. From what was 8 id,
Lieutenant Smith concluded that these
two were children of wealthy mill own
er named Mortimer, whom he himself
knew by reputation; that Fred was an
older brother; that he himself was a re-
cent graduate of West Point, and par
ticular fred of Fred's and that Fred had
: telegraphed them to meet Mr.. Smith ii. e.
himself) at the afternoon train; and that
he hlmselfG. e., FredD could not come
down until the next day.
shall not have the pleasure of meeting
my friend Frederick,-since I shall strike
tents early in the morning for forced
march"
Presently they stopped at the head of
lane, and BERTHE got out.
II am going down to the works, Elsie, ~
said he. "I'll come up to tea when father
. does"
Then they drove on agsin, and shortly
entered carriage drive, through some
elegant grounds, hating in moment or
two before fine country-house. Lieu
tenant Smith got out, and assisted his
companion to the ground. He began to
feel very much like an ordinary inposter,
and did not know what to do or say.
; II must ask you to overlook my appar-
ent stupidity, Miss Mortimer" he finally
managed to blunder out, as he followed
. her into the hall. II was up nearly all
last night, and am really quite i'll to-
day"
Her sympathy was up and in her eyes
at once.
"Well, thought something was the
matter" she answered, with refreshing
frankness 81 am sorry you don't feei
we'll. You will want to 60 to your room
at at once, won't you2 And shall 1, send
you up some tea? or is there anything
else can do for you2 Will you care to
l come down to supper3"
, And the lieutenant seeing here tempo
rary relief from his embarrassing posi-
ton, said that he would like to GO ur
! stairs once; and if she weuld kindly senG
l him up bit of toast, he would not inf1ic1
y his stupid presence upon anybody again
that day. He hoped to be in better trim
!. in the morning.
So servant was called to conduct him
up stairs; and then, after a very delici
Gus little repast, which Miss Mortimer
i (Heaven bless herD had no doubt pre-
e pared with her own hands, he flung him.
, self on the bed, and fell asleep.
: The bedroom was front one, and ths
: windows were open. Our hero was
: awakened once, a long while after, by (
l. mans voice outside, and then he hearc
J Miss Mortimer say
"Why fatherl how late you are; anG
where is Bertie2"
l. And Mr.. Mortimer's reply
81 haven't seen him for some time.
thought he was home; he was down a
't the works with Harvey's boys at fv'
!, o'clock. He'll come along when he get
ready. reckon"
Then the young soldier fell asleep ono
3 more.
Il It must have been an hour or more af
ter this that he found himself suddenl,
/ wide awake again, with the impression
Il that there was something unusual goin,
on. Itwas quite dark in the room now
; There were hurried footsteps outside hi
door, and confused anxious voices below
He went to the door and asked wha
was the matter. A servant answered
s with quivering voice.
"The works is all a6re; and Maste
Bert he can't be found nowharsl"
He put on his coat, and went dow
r stairs. A carriage had just drove of, AM
there was no one there except two fright
e ened servants. Over the trees he coul,
% see glare and a smoke, and he hurrie
$, off down the path.
he Down at the Mortimer Works an ey
Is cited crowd OF men and women wer
y standing about, looking up at the dar
lie windows of the large mill. The door
n had been opened below, and an attemI
made to reach the uppermost story, wher
in the fire was; but no one could get abov
ne the third floor. The smoke drove ther
back.
"a Meanwhile, away up under the roof th
y flames were now showing themselves
a and then, at the window of the corne
room, Master BERTHE suddenly appeare
u at the window. and held his head far on
while the smoke, though as vet in n
IN great volume, was all about him.