Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-06-13
length she turned to him and said, You

"What for?" she asked, though he
tones were not so abrupt rs the words.
THE little maid pleased me.
1T is almost perfect
Il am as well aware as you that 1t il
not so"
"Who are you?"
He smiled Slightly, for he could not helI
| it, at the imperious manner OF the girl, bu
| he said, quietly, " A Continental soldier
"You were Ill, mayhap, and fell behind
The soldier bowed.
Don't YOU know you are on dangerous
ground? You are within the British lines ,
Il hope soon to be safe.
The young woman gathered up her reins
saving as she did SO. Ruth, you should
not stray so far from home. Come with
me- Then she seemed 10 hesitate, and al
| length said to the young soldier, who had
not stirred How long time needed you
to draw this p
But few minutes
They are precious. Dare You draw
mine?"
IT would be pleasure
"Will you?"
Remain, then, as you are" Again
| drawing forth his portfolio, and fixing one
| long, searching glance on the girl, he began
his work AS he went on she had both
desire and opportunity to observe him
She saw that he was TALL Sinewy, young
and, as he looked up with the inquiring
glance of the artist it was impressed upon
her that lie was handsome and strong
beyond all men she had ever seen. She
saw the quick, sometimes strong some
times delicate strokes of the crayon, and
saw grace IN both. He ventured not q
word At length she said, Who is your
commanders"
He seemed not TO hear, and she asked
again. Without pausing in his work he
said, Colonel Tyler, of the Seventh Con-
necticut."
q You are from below
81 was"
&" That is what mean. You were por-
trait sketcher?''
- Yes, in New York-before the war"
Suddenly she said: do you know you
may be killed tomorrow ?'
s. Perhaps
:" mean that great battle is expected. =
The young man made 4 most vigorous
stroke, but without looking up said quietly:
- You are better informed than |. | shall
reach my command tonight"
e" | have been doing my part, too she
said. ] 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, because
by taking the short cut you might fall in
the sooner with the army"
Here the young man snapped a crayon,
and, while sharpening it, said: Thank
you for the suggestion. 1t must be ten
miles to Danbury?"
Yes
'You must have pushed your horse?'
Indeed did"
When next he looked up the portrait was
done. He gave it to her with graceful
bow, and the manner of indifference, but
she saw that his face was as white as the
paper itself. For some moments she
studied the picture Then she said: 9" 1t
is marvel. 1t must be my very truthful
portrait. | thank you, sir, and she ex-
tended her hand.
As he took it, she added: II wish had
something that | might give you in return
for this. | fear now that was far too pre-
sumptuous to ask you to do this
You honored me, and have repaid me. y
We may meet again, sir, when [ can
better repay you.
He said, We may; who knows? ="
Then as his eyes fell on the ground be
spied number of beech nuts that had
fallen from the tree overhead. He picked
up two of them.
See" he said, these nuts are exactly
alike. You said we might meet again. l
will give this one and will keep the other.
If we meet again We will put them side by
side as they are now. You can repay me
by doing this 1t is only within of mine"
She looked at him curiouSly for moment
and then said why, that is q playful
thing to do; but if you wish it l WILL and
she thrust the beech nut under her glove.
When she looked back after she had gone
down the road piece he still stood there
with head uncovered as when she quilted
him. Had she looked later she would have
seen the young soldier rushing with mighty
strides in direction opposite to what he
had all day been taking, and If she had
read his thoughts she would have known
that he was thanking God he had met her
One evening in midwinter, more than
year later, there were gathered about the
open fireplace III the living room of the
Phillips mansion, the young woman, Mar
tina, her little sister Ruth, and an elderly
woman, who was plainly the mother. A
tap at the door did not fail TO cause all
three to start little. Troublous times
again had come on this part of the Coun-
try Rumors OF an advance prevailed.
Father and brother had again set out with
the contingent troops TO repel threatened
invasion. However, Mistress Martha did
not hesitate 10 open the door. So far, at
least, their home had been respected by
both armies. There stood ON the steps a
tall man, whose great coat was slightly
sprinkled with the snow that was begin
ming to fall. He did not offer to enter
until hidden; but he said, with great cOur-
I.
PEELED to ask shelter and food, if SO be the
inmates felt safe in extending such hos
pilalities.
Bid the gentleman in, Martha said
the mother, and when he had, with ex-
quisite grace, bowed and thanked her, he
asserted that nothing but the direst ne
cessity would have compelled him to in
trude himself.
These are, indeed, sad times, sir" said
the mother. Twice before my husband
and son have been called away to defend
the country | know not where they may
be tonight, but the good Lord will protect
| them and US
rs there, then, disturbance in these
parts?' asked the stranger.
Have you not heard and seen, sir, and
! you traveller?
a. had supposed the operations were tc
the west, else might not have vcntured on
my journey
The old lady glanced quickly at him fol-
a moment, % though wishing TO scan st
strange person as this, who did not
know what was going on about him, but
neither by hint OF word or action did she
/ bclray any surprise.
The stranger was young, and neatly
dressed in q heavy, close-ttting surtout
that reached 10 his top boots. His hair
which was long, fell in curly locks almos
to his shoulder, and il was OF yellow
tinge, almost approaching whiteness. Th'
! old lady ut once perceived that whoevel
( her guest was he was a gentleman, and a
he addressed himself entirely to her she
soon found herself interested in him
Though she frequently referred to the tOpi,
that was uppermoSt IN her mind, he seemed
to care little about the war. The old lad!
decided that he must be merchant fron
below, who had ventured thus far towart
the British outposts-which then include;
| the Phillips homostead-tor purposes 0
/ business. Meanwhile Martha had hersel
prepared repast, Of which She at length