The Penn's Grove record., 1885-11-14
snow, what's your name that J may
write it beneath the p~ortraitf"
She told him, and he wrote:

"Now, what's your name that J may
write it beneath the portraitf"
She told him, and he wrote:
Ruth Phillips. by Phillip"
'There,n he said, my first name is
the same as your last one. That Is
nice, isn't it?"
AS she stood gazing at the portrait
the young soldier took q small map
from his portfolio and traced with his
finger a highway until it stopped at a
a point marked White Plains. Then
be studied it a moment and was about
to turn away when the clatter of horses
hoofs startled him. The rider by the
sound, was pressing his steed to his
best mettle. Almost abruptly the
young soldier seized The child and led
her to the seat on the rock. Then
with such 1ueney as caused her to raise
her eyes in some surprise, he spoke OF
the picture, and was thus engaged, as
he intended to be, when the horseman
dashed by. The horse was checked as
suddenly as though shot dead, and the
young man %thereupon lifted his tall
figure that had been bending over the
child, turned slowly, and when he look
ed up the weary, careworn expression
was again on bis face. 1t vas changed
however to a look or surprise that was
not counterfeited as his eyes fell on the
young woman. Though the soldier
steadfastly received the look that the
girl gave him from eyes that were
rounded with establishment as they
were luminous and searching, yet he
1id not f,fl RI nntn fha oxOHriuitn D1p-
ture that she made. The high and
jauntiiy poised riding hat that the
burning leaves of maple almost touched
as with a fiery plume; the thick coil OF
hair, the complexion that was brighter
than that of Il leaf that almost rested
on the cheek; the figure, seated as
though horse and rider were moulded
together; the coal black animal gently
paving the earth, all backed by the
brillIancy of the forest--this picture
gladdened his artistic eye. Yet his
active mind was busy with queries as
to her identity. But the little girl
solved the question. She said: "Oh,
Patty, see the picture of me the man
did draw"
The older sister put out her unoccu-
pied hand and received the portrait,
not yet taking her eyes from the soldier
At last she glanced at the portrait,
then serutmized it more closely till it
seemed to the young man that many
minutes had passed. AT length she
turned to him and said, "Youdid thisl'
The soldier bowed, and the young
woman made mental note of the grace
with which this common soldier made
courtesy.
"What for?n she asked, though her
tones were not so abrupt as the words.
THE little maid pleased me.n
SIT is almost perfect.'
AZ am as well aware as You that it is
not So"
"Who are your"
He smiled slightly, for he could not
help 1t, at the lmperious manner OF the
girl, but he said quietly:
"a continental soldier
"You were i'll, mayhap, and fell be-
hind"
The soldier bowed.
"Don't you know you are on dam
gerous ground9 You are within the
British liues.n
II nope soon 10 DC safe.
The young woman gathered up her
reins, saying as she did SO: "Rrsh you
should not stray so far from home.
| Come with me-" Then she seemed to
hesitate, and at length said to the
young soldier, who had not stirred:
'.How long time needed you to draw
thisp"
Spot n fau raipyftac
''They are precious. Dare you draw
mine?n
at would be a pleasure"
"Wlll your"
"Remain, then, as you are" Again
drawing forth his portfolio, and fixing
one long, searching glance IN the girl,
he began his work. AS he went on
she had both desire and opportunity to
observe him. She saw the quick, some
times strong, sometimes delicate stroke
of the crayop, and saw grace in both.
He ventured not a word. At kngth
the girl said: "Whoi Is your comman-
der?"
He seemed not to hear, and she asked
again. Without pausing in his work
he said: ''Celonel Tyler of the Seventh
Connecticut"
"You are from below?n
81 was"
"That is what l mean. You were a
portrait s~ketcher2"
eyes. in New York. before the
war"
Suddenly she said: "Do you know
you may be killed tomorrow
Perhaps"
81 mean that a great battle is expec-
ted"
The young man made a most vigor-
Gus stroke, but without looking up.sald
quietly: s'You are better informed than
|. l shall reach my command tonight. "
81 have been doing my part, too she
said. Il myself rode to Danbury this
morning, bearing the commission to
the commanding officer that the British
troops were gathering at the White
Plains, and that he and his command
must march at once and concentrate at
Bedford before daylight. / tell you.''
she added, .sbecause by taking the short
cut you might fall in the sooner with
the army"
Here the young man snapped a cray
on, and, while sharpening it said:
THANK you forthe suggestion. Unjust
be 10 miles to D~anburyY"
"Yes."
"You must have pushed your horsef"
"Inddeed l did,"
When next he looked up the portrait
was done. lie gave 1t to her with a
graceful bow, and the manner OF in
difference, but she saw that his face
was as white as the paper Itself. For
some moments she studied the picture.
Then she said; ut is a marvel. 1t
must be my very truthful portrait. /
thank you, sir" and she extended her
hand.
AS he took it, she added: II wish l
had something l might give you in re-
turn for this. l fear now that | was
far too presumptuous to ask you to do
this
"You honored me, and have repaid
me-"
ave may meet again, sir, when ]
can better repay you.'
lie said, 1--WE may; who knowsY''
Then as his eyes fell on the ground he
spied a number of beeehnuts that had
fallen from the tree overhead. He
picked up two Of them.
'sSee, y he said, ''these nuts are ex-
actly alike. You said we might meet
again. ] will give you this one and
viii keep the other. If We meet again
we will put them side by side as they
are now. Yon can repay me In doing
his II ia only "A within OF miue.b