Wichita eagle., 1890-01-22

Sweetheart, it WIS audaclous: butt TOW
you So"
"Don't believe O word Aunt Evelyn saws,
she breaks out fiercely. II never could car
if man was rich, if he only loved me, an,
you know-I know very well'- Heis waitiu;
for a delicious expression that is stealth,
over her face when the door is burst opel
and black face thrust in, rolling its eyes il
Mortified manner and painting for breath t.
calculate:
s'rIss Crate, Miss Crate, help me; oh Lor
help ME! The Yankees is comm"
'sWhereF'
'Oh, help. Lor, help, Deys cemin RICH
up de carriage part now"
Heavens! Quick. Archie, what shall w,
dog If they find you here you are lost. Oh
| Archie, don't look SO; l know it is dreadful
for you, but you must hide. It is possibly
only passing regiment and-kate, rush W
and tell aunt; she win receive them
She throws her arms around her lover anC
drags him to a little room adjoining this
then firmly locks the two doors that open re
spectively into drawing room and hall.
''There Now we are as safe as mice in a
hole These doors form panels on the outel
walls, and your presence here can never be
y
and / will come to you often and help yor
boar it." With that she hurries out, bidding
him lock the door again, and then runs NY
the wide oak stairway to airs. Thorntoni
room.
Here she finds that lady pacing the floor
every sign of agitation visible in her tall
stately figure. Behind her walks the excited
black woman, uttering dismal groans, and
alphabetically gesticulating in unison with
her mistress.
'Margareta cannot, viii not! Ivowec
when those men were here the last time, that
never again would l offer hospitality to the
enemies of my country. l will not, can
mott Let them do their worst, LEI them rob
and plunder-buIn us down if they will-but
I will defy them 10 the last There is no use
your trying to dissuade me. / am in earnest.
They shall go on"
Aunt Evelyn, You are excited" the girl
says coolly. There is no need for all this.
These men will stay, take what they Will,
and you yourself viii offer them the rest.
Remember Archie. Oh yes he's safe enough
now. I've seen to that; but you forget a
hiding man cannot remain within burning
building. So come, Aunt Evelyn, you have
tact enough to get US through securely, and
you must do your best. Thank heaven L am
not an American and have no party spirit.
Thank heaven for Archie's sake"
Mrs. Thornton was woman Of spirit She
seldom lost a chance to oppose a proposition.
But today all her characteristic propcnsities
seemed to have deserted her. Greta won
without even sigh of opposition, and the
two women descended to the drawing ROOM
Five men had assembled here and were max
ing themselves rather unceremoniously at
home, when the ladies entered. One was
writing at a table, while another half sat,
half kneit upon q chair beside him. looking
On. The other three had grouped about the
picture on the easel, and what Margareta
heard as she entered made her blush little
and then resent the speech.
Mrs Thornton advanced to the table and,
bidding the writer good morrow, made q low
and graceful courtesy. Gentlemen, she said
in her strong, proud voice. II earnestly de-
sire that you make use of this house as though
it were your own. place my trust in your
honor to keep your men from too much mo-
testing my servants or from harmiug my
grounds"
What was this. Anger and resentment
were doing their work and making Mrs
Thornton thoroughly inconsistent 1t was
dreadful-oifering hospitality in one breath
and in the next putting them on their honor
not to abuse it. Greta felt the keen look the
officer fixed upon her aunt, and when it
turned to her was ready to meet it with her
sweetest smile.
81, too, place my entire service at your
disposal, trusting that you will make good
use of it,"
This was certainly the very best thing to
say, and said in the very best way, beides
There was such ring of trustfulnesS in her
tone as she nodded her head at him confid-
ingly, that the man seemed perfectly as
sured, and rising made them low, respectful
bow.
81 cannot tell you, ladies. how much l ap.
preciate your kindness. 1t is very seldom we
meet with such confidence and hospitality in
the enemy's very country. Your sympa.
thieS then are
II am the daughter of citizen of Berlin"
Oh, the pride in that tone, in the naughty curve
of neck and pose of head! While on the floor
Greta's little foot touches Mrs Tkorntons
with decided pressure that the lady thinks
ii best to understand.
And they certainly did make good use of
it" and on the next day when the regiment
found grouped about her picture left her with
groups of tender thoughts within their hearts,
to Gretals infinite disgust, for, as she told her
lover afterwards, she had been obliged to lis
ten to it all and play the 'dane fattee" be-
sides, while SETTLING within and longing to
be man so she could thrash them
But there was one thing she had learned
that made her hasten to her lover with the
news 1t was that his regiment would come
by the next morning, and she hardly knew
whether TO be glad or sorry most-nor did he,
for that matter-and very sweet, indeed, was
the half hour that they spent together, wins
pering lest the Yankee oyres' in the next
room should catch sound.
"Ah, now | breathe again" cried Greta
when the last blue coat had vanished down
the winding road Open, open, sesame!"
pommehng vigorously on the panel door.
Thank heaven, You sre safe" IS her lover
rewards himself for his long imprisonment
They are very happy round the fire that
night, and Mrs. Thornton is silent on the
subject nearest her heart of the first class |
fool" who is perfectly content TO be called !
names, SO long as he gets his wish.
Greta has been singing gay little song and |
is coming over to the fire where Merriman |
and Mrs Thornton sit. when suddenly the |
hight seems frozen III her eyes and tho smile
dies on her lips AS she stops and stares at the |
open doorway. Here stand two men dressed |
IN the military insignia of the republic, and |
wearing ora their faces an aggravating ex-
preston of complete satisfaction at having
tagged their game SO successfully.
DO not be startled, madam | admit the
-. al.