The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-08-07


In some mysterious way Dave and Nannie's
chairs got together nc one end of the porch,
while Wits and James were so close together
al the other end that sheet of paper between
them would have been rubbed and rnmpsed.
Doubtless this phenomena was due to some
manifestation Of the queer forces of attraction
and repnsien which have non been sufficiently
Studied as yet by the scientists TO enable me TO
give any explanation Of them.
Even the length Of the porch did not seem TO
be a far enough separation for the two cousins
and the two chums for finally VIII developed
q keen Interest in the fruit of an apple tree on
the other SIDE OF the honse Of which Jane had
been telling him. and he would not be satisfied
until she had taken him around there and
Showed il TO him. As soon as they were out OF
ear.shot Mamie spoke up:
20. expect that probably you are little
attracted toward me"
ITS more than that broke in Dave ear
nesfly. = tell you, trnes live, that the very
moment SET eyes ON you i fell in love with
YOU"
Even when called yen a hateful Yankee,
and threatened TO slam the door in your face"
she sald, vibrating between ROBUSTNESS and
shamefaeedness.
90 didn't mind that" Dave assured her
"We'ye got so used 10 your men folks paying
compliments to ns with lead and cast-iron, that
folks without so much as winking an eyelid."
She bridled up. Indeedi Then what 1
said or may say is of no consequence, at all,
sir. Thank YOU for the compliment
Now, don't talk that-a-way, Miss Mamie"
said Dave with real alarm. ''Mhat you say is of
the greatest Importance 10 .sse, at least and al
WAYS viii be- i mean. that was not-that
didn't--tlat we'll, what / meant was
that yon captured me on sight and was glad
to have you talk TO me- even if you did scold
me-
What started out TO say when you inter-
rupted me was she continued, with bright
fash in her dark eyes that completed the
fascination Of Dave, THAT you're, no doubt,
an easily-capuured young man, who goes about
falling in love with every girl that he meets,
and who tells the same story to every one OF
them Now her manner became very severe1,
how many girls have you ever dsttered and
cOnrted?"
blush sodeep that it reddened through the
snnburn, crimsoned Dawes cheek. He had
had mild firtations with other girls. and he
was too honest TO deny ii, and too unskilled in
the art of fencing in these love tits TO make
tie obvious return of the question as to how
many men Mamie had allowed herself to firt
with.
Just as thought" she said sharply, after
moments consideration Of his confused face.
This Is game that you play wherever yon
soft enough 10 listen 70 you"
90, ! tell you, Miss Mamie. sure's you're
born, Sures am alive" broke in Dave in con-
steTnation, though / may've some times kind
O sidled up TO girl for little while"
This is what you call just siding up to
girl, is it2" she broke in scorniully. well,
Mr. Yankee let me tell you-D
Don't talk that wsy-don't. please" said
poor Dave, imploringly. / hope ] may die
the next minute if you amt the only girl /
ever really fell in love with, aud if you don't
believe me don't know what / viii do"
his palpable distress sOftened her. " I ex-
pect 1 Ii have 10 believe you" she said in way
thar 10 a more acute and less deeply interested
observer than Dave would have shown that she
was only too willing to believe him. But if
do you'll find out that I'm the most jealous
girl that you ever heard OF. ] read story the
other day that gives my idea OF love. An Arab
girl was followed by man. She turned to
him and said: Why do you follow me? Be-
cause ] love you, ne said. Why don't you
follow my sister, who is coming Just behind
yen; she IL much handsomer than / am2' she
said. He turned 10 look behind him You
don really love me- she said bitterly, or you
woald never have turned. = That's the way Eli
bc with YOU i won't have you even looking
si any other girls"
Before the Lord / never will" said Dave
earnestly
really tested You'll likely be tried right
here. You'll End Cousin Janesthere, the worst
1lrt that was ever born, though her heads as
red as woodpecker's. and what men can see at
tractige in her ] can't for the life of me tell
will TRY to take ycur eye and lead you .
dance Now mind, won't have it"
Why, dearest. 90 you think I'd turn away
from you to give moments thought to her, or
10 any one else7 Why, u"
Dave, them WAGONS are loaded up and
started interrupted Langan at the very worst
monent be could have chosen Hadn't we
better be going, toof"
All right said the Sergeant, with CHEEKY
zeadiness thai he was far from feeling. Have
the boys mount, and III be with you right
sway. Wiil come on"
Viii appeared smiling and blushing holding
james hand whose face was nearer the color Of
her hair than was customary, even on a warm
day.
Dave took Nannie's hand TO say goOd-by, and
the supple fingers closed around his with an
aGecssonate pressure that intoxicated him. She
rose with wiil0wy grace and stood so close 20
hirs that her dark braids brushed has cnrls
Hc yearned to take her in his arms and kiss
the cherry RED pouting lips But glance over
his shoulder showed him the boys sitting on
their horses az the gate awaiting him.
Hls newborn love GO filled and elevated him
that he shrank from exposing it TO the rude
5esis usually ebowered by his comrades on the
customary hirtations Of a foraging expedition
on 3 scout
g Iii be ont here TO see you again in day or
tEo, my love" be said, teDderly.
=" De. do" she answered eagerly. "I'll be
30 impatient u see you again"
lie and VII ran Gown 10 the gate and sprang
oE their horses.
By-by, my darlinrslp - said Langan, bowine
q TIE girls, and kissing his fingers. Sorry to
leave y0n. but business before pleasure"
Nat Laugan,D said Dave sagagely, as he
Eplrred his horse close TO the grumbier's side.
stop that! I'll break yOHr neck If you insult
those y0Hng ladies again. j won't let such
things be done by men under my command.
Attention. Forward, narch!p
Deyiiish t0uchg about the girls, amt hef |"
said Langan, 70 the man on his left. as the squad
moved OF down the road. Guess that girls
struck him pretty hard
The wagons were already mile away-out
Of sight in The woods on the side of Walden's
Ridge, and the squad trotted away briskly TO
catch up with them.
Dawes heart was 80 full Of Joy that. as he
expressed t afferward, he felt like freshly
opened hottie Of champagne But he did not
Jet himself speak, except 70 give the few neces-
HaTy commands. lest he betray the dear secret
oi his happiness 10 the eibes Of his anticipated
comrades
As the sun was setting few evenings after
ward. solitary horsenan might have been
seen descending the long slope Of Malden's
Ridge into rhe Sequatchie Valley. As the
solitary horseInan wore the uniform Of a-eaY-
ElrrsH2n. as me arm that Eteadied :. Gpeueer