The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-05-30


age and sciatica, was drawn in front by a
animated hat-racl for horse. The negr
driver stopped at the foot of the steps an
our heroine, fully prepared for jaunt
seated herself by the colored boy. Whe
the horse was turned toward the road tn
private on guard brought his musket dow
before the horses nose and arrested tn
concern.
Whats the meaning of thisf' demanded
the girl.
Cant go, that's ALL"
Call your corporal; l want to know tn
meaning af this outrage"
Corporal Bang stepped to the front.
"What is the reason for this deientlonl
she continued.
"Theni as gives orders has reasons; then
AS gets orders has buyouets," sententiously
responded Bang.
There was no help for it. With flushed
cheeks and firm, set mouth, the girl de
scendel from the vehicls and entered the
! house Every step was a protest. The an
cient gig was restored to its mdiso, de Samts
and the hat-rack of horse to its stall. A,
noon Eilersly returned, and learned Of the
attempted escape. After dinner, while
smoking his pipe, tho suspected girl aP
preached him.
ii attempted 70 drive out this morning,
sir" she said Indignantly, land was arrested
by your men Am to understand that
am prisOnerP
al am very sorry, madam" answered the
uide, avoiding the question. very sorry so
rude thing was done"
Don't apologize, sir We know your
miserable government makes war on women.
You are only hireling executing its brutal
orders. Again ask you, am | prisoner"
at is really painful to know that you en-
terrain such an idea" patiently continued
the officer. These men execute orders so
literally that mistakes like this will occur"
81 am not prisoner, then"
"You are at liberty, assure you, to go
where and when you please. TO prove TO
you, however, how unjust you are to us |
will aid that you shall go as you will aud,
owing to the unsettled and dangerous con-
dition the country is in, viii furnish you
J
safety"
Mr.. Lieutenant she said with scorn,
"when | need your services viii ask
Them
"Do SO, madam, AMI you will find me
ready to serve you" And 50 they parted.
IAN unpleasant beginning for love at
iair, ~ murmured Bob, resuming his pipe.
For the next twenty -four hours the Lieu
tenant saw little of his suspect, and the little
he did see was not agreeable. Meeting her
by accident on the stairs she not only gave
way, but gathered her skirts about her, as if
she feared contamination from the touch.
The day after, however, her mood changed.
She received him with a bewitching smile,
holding out her little hand, saying:
'Mr -" and she paused.
''Ellersly,n he added lifting his cap.
"Mr Ellersly, wish to apologize for my
rude talk. forgot that you were an officer
on duty, and what is more, | forgot that /
was a lady Pardon mc.'
II have no pardon to ask, madam" said
Bob, CALAMITY. "Reproof is sweeter from
some than commentator from others. Now,
what can do for you"
1--WE will breakfast together" she said,
land then | will tell you"
At breakfast she poured out his muddy
coffee of beans and chickory, and was so very
amable that Bob, young rs he was, could
not help thinking she was too confoundedly
sweet and he became in consequence, the
more alert and suspicious
"Now I'll tell you, Lieutenant" she said on
the porch, 81 am ashamed to confess it, but
have some poor relations in these noun
tains almost starved by the war"
That is a lie, thought Bob; but he said
nothng--only smiled sweetly.
II wish to communicate with and help
them" she continued; land if you will fur
nish me with All escort | will make the at
tempt"
An ambush, thought Bob; but he smiled
all the moro, and added:
"Why of course | will I'll do better-I
will be your escort myself. Shall we 60 i'm
med iately"
ooh, no, there is no need of such haste; to-
morrow will do" and they dropped into con-
versation as natural as if they knew each
other for years. Bob was shrewd, but inex-
perienced Hed not observe the dangerous
thread of the talk While dexterously avoid
ing all reference to herself she kept on that
most fascinating subject to all men, when
guided by pretty woman-himself. 1t was
Othello and Desdemona over again. Only
Desdemora led the conversation All, mo-
II the beguiling sex only knew the full power
i'll their little ears, aided by deep, earnest
eyes. none OF us would be safe. Bob talked
well, a, times eloqueptly, with a golden
thread Of humor running through all. and hs
who set out to deceive through love making
went to bis bed deep Ia love with the fair
charmer.
The day after the expedition was attempted.
Alas it proved miserable failure. The old
horse pulled them slowly to the summit Of
the mountain, and then descending to the
valley beyond stumbled at every step, and at
last fell down, breaking the shaft and throw
ing tn. fair emissary on bis phrsn illogical
rump.
When horse falls down he takes q philo-
sophical view Of the situation, and lies still