Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-08-01
EXCHANGED"
BY LUCY C. LILLE.

Mrs. Fortley stepped out into the hall.
Ut ran the length of the large, old-fash-
1oned Georgia mansion in which Fortleys
for generations had been bore. People
wondered how Jean Fortley contrived to
keep her little family since the war be-
gan, but she was one woman in athou-
sand, and her little daughter, Meg, was
of the same bright, strong-hearted char
acter.
On This anxious morning Mrs. Fortley
hurried down the hall on the silent stair
case and out into the garden at the back
of the house.
, Two small persons were perched on the
garden wall. Meg's sun-bonnet had
fallen on her shoulders, her dark locks
were blown by the soft wind and her eyes
were scanning the white roadway be-
yond. AS for Popcorn" otherwise
Peter, but given that name in baby
JEST, he was busy picking out bits of
weed that rioted among the old stones of
the wall.
! Meg shifted her gaze, her face dimpled
into smiles, and she was down the wall
in two seconds, Popcorn following Ia
boriously.
= ''My little daughter Mrs. Fortley
was sitting on the doorstep and held
Meg's hands in hers, looking earnestly
into the child's sweet face. "Can moth
er trust you-you will manage it ala"
"Oh yes. mother darling" Meg's
cheek was pressed against her mothers.
+'Don't be afraid, know can" Then
as Popcorn, rather a suspicious person by
nature, was lowering near by with hos
tility in his expression, she added in
whisper: "There isn't any sign of them
yet. didn't let Popcorn know what
was looking out for"
i. Mrs. Fortley felt treasured.
: 81 am not afraid, my little GIRL" the
mother said in moment, pressing Meg
to her heart. "Phillis will help YOU"
"Run," said Meg, suddenly. Down
Nthe road came the clatter of horses hoofs
"a Federal officer was the rider. Megs
face whitened for an instant, while her
another vanished in the direction of the
buildings.
''Now, Popcorn" said Meg gravely,
holding her hand out for the grimy one
of that young gentleman, 81 reckon
you're going to be the best boy in the
world and do as sister says"
Whether Popcorn, intended to fulfil
these hopes or not, he made no remark,
Ibut curiosity led him to go with ''sister"
to the gate before which the Federal
officer was drawing rein.
The stranger was a tall, handsome
fellow, not more than twenty-five or
twenty-three, but with considerable
energy in manner and expression.
elbow do you do, sir?" said Meg
Rravely. She lifted her little face to the
young mans as she added, 81 am
Margaret Fortley and this is Popcorn-I
mean Peter"
$50 it is Fortleys!" said the young
man absently, but he suddenly laughed.
''This is POPCORN" he exclaimed, looking
down upon the jiyc-year-old owner of
that name with fun in his eyes. "Hello,
Popcorn, how do you do2'
! "Never mind" was Popcorn's growl-
ing answer, with both chubby fists at his
back.
''He'sm little brother, sir" Meg ex-
planned. us there any one you'd parti-
cularly like to see?"
''Why, yes, little one; that is-you
see, want to know"
"Oh, if that is ALL" said Meg, bright
ening, "there's no one but Phillis.''
"And who is Phillis?" was CAPTAIN
Roderick's next question.
Popcorn laughed aloud.
Popcorn" said 'Sister," in the GEN
tlest rebuke, "what will the gentleman
think of youa"
''He don't know Phillis," cried Pop
corn derisively.
''You see, sir" said Meg, Everybody
around here knows Phillis. She was nv
fathers nurse and ours. Will you please
come IN, MIR. -. You didn't tell me
your name"
Roderick, knowing full we'll that his
mission was anything but a friendly one,
stood still on the porch, inwardly chatting
at having only these children to receive
him.
evil you come in, sir" said MEG.
with true Southern hospitality, opening
the front door, land will call Phillis91
Captain Roderick found himself in a
wide, desolute-looking hall. Meg opened
a door to the right, and with pretty
courtesy ushered the ''visitor'' into the
drawing-1 DOM.
eff you will sit down, sir, I will call
Phillis," said his little hostess, with an
anxiously beating heart.
My little GIRL" said Roderick sud-
denly and with tender gravity in his
voice and eyes, ''Idon't want to harm or