Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-05-22

rCQe On anu on, Lu0 Sdiuc EldTS lndt
began TO twinkle overhead saw Harry
Requa riding up toward Newburgh,
safe within the American ground.
As Kentil rode on and on, thinking
she had distanced ker pursuers, three
dragons were riding across fields,
taking a short cut, to get in front OF
her. As KeDtIl rode on and on, the
dragons behind her were urging their
exhausted horses into a last gallop.
When the night had spread over
every thing Kentil stopped her horse
and listened. Yes, she still heard
them half mile away, coming up as
fast as their tired horses would carry
them, those provoking dragons
Kentll urged her horse into a steady
gallon and soon reached the bend in
the road, where three dragons We're
standing, their horses in the road, and
their pistols held in readiness to fire.
But Kentil saw them, and like flash
turned her horses head, took the low
fence by the roadside CALAMITY, and
was flying over the fields with the
three Dragons after her. The horses
OF two soon gave out, but sne still
heard the other dragon coming up,
and-could it be2-galning on her!
She was tired and stiff from her novel
mode of riding, and he was thorough
horseman. Her horse was the fresher,
but he managed his so much the bet
ter that he kept gaining on her.
They rode on through the night like
NO grim, silent spectres, for 1t was
grimly earnest now. A single mis-
step OF the horse might mean broken
neck. Slowly the Moon rose from
bank of clouds that lay on the horl
zen. The night grew brighter, ano
the horseman was closer; still he die
not fire. Kentil shuddefed and grew
nervous. They reached a swampy
meadow and went splashing through
it, but as the horses plunged deeper
| and deeper into the slime, the pace
grew slower and slower When Ken
TIL reached the next fence she shud
dered. 1t seemed higher than usual
that fence, and she plunged her horse
at it desperately. The next mlnut'
Kentil Reqaa lay on the ground, ane
the pursuer sprang from his horse
with cooked pistol and stood over her
The moon shone down on her face
alfaverted from the Dragon, as Bh'
waited for him to fire. The suspense
vas so terrible that her heart almost
stopped beating. She looked up auo
saw Captain Gotham, the magnificent
staring incredulously, with his arm
dangling nervously at his sides
frightened, wondering, and little
angry. The girl, unprepared for Thu.
denouement, lost her self-control
and buried her blushing face in he
hands and sobbed Piteously, and tn
gallant captain felt like a murderer
Upon my word of honor, Kentil
| didn't know it was you, &c gaspet
penitently.
Then he went and got her horse
who was hardly any the worse fer III
fall, aud led it up TO her.
Cant | assist you to mountE" h
asked, rather maliciously.
Alas for the captainl Kentil looked
out from her fingers for one moment
and caught him smiling. That seale'
his death warrant. She turned OF
him msjestically.
Captain Gotham, will you pleas
to go3"
"But. Kentil. with the country il
this condition" expostulated he.
"Will you leave me instantly, sir!
she interrupted, with blazing eyes.
The crestfallen dragoon sullenl,
mounted his horse, and with a Good
night, Kentil, rode slo WY away.
Kentil resumed her seat on he
horses back. She did not reach hom
till late, as 10 one can make yer.
much speed riding 'side saddle" IL
masculine attire on mans saddle
After the family were entirely salts
fed that she had not been captured
and that she was safe, and after sh'
| had eaten her supper, she went VI
stairs to bed. But Kentil Requa slep
very little that sight. A letter came
from the captain the next day, ant
she sent it back, unopened, with a lit
tie note from herself forbldding hin
in the future To address her in am
way The captain tried la vain TO allie
her resolution. That little smile bat
cost him dear eLough, and Kent
never saw him until after the evacua
| ton.
When tue British left the city
among other articles OF war they lief
behind them was Captain Gotham
dangerously i'll of fever, Kent
Requa, when she heard Of it. Offered
hel self as his nurse. Her resentmen
had died away, and another feeling
I had taken It's place.; a sweet, tende
feeling that creeps into our hearts a
some lime or other during our lives
and which, after Captain Cobhan
sold his commission and announced
bis intention of staying on this side o
the water, led Kentil Requa 10 becom,
kentil Gotham natchet.