The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-03-30

Here Is the boys suit LndL you WISHED AOr.
"Oh. dear! It's not a very choice one" Her
face fell.
'.AIl the better for escaping notice"
"But-but Ike 20 Us noticedP
Nevertheless, when breakfast @Gs done, she
consented TO try on tie clothes. | left her ey-
ing them doubtfulIy, and strolled away by
the rivers bank. Ia while her voice called
to me;
ooh, Jack-they 90 not fit at all!'
Why, tie admirabie! said 1, returning
and scanning ser. Now this was lie: but
she took me more than ever, 50 pretty and
comical she looked IN the dress.
''And l cannot walk a bit in them!" She
pouted. sJruJriug up and down.
Swing your arms more, and let them hang
looser."
And NY hair. On, Jack, have such
beautiful hairn
1T must come off" said I, pulling the
shears out Of my pocket.
And look at these huge boost
Indeed, this was the main trouble for I
knew they would hurt her in walking; yet
she made more fuss over her hair, and only
gave in when | scolded her roundIy. So [
took the shears and clipped the chestnut curls
one by one, while she cried for vexation; and
took occasion Of her tears TO smuggie the
longest lock inside my doublet.
But an hour after she was laughing agaio,
and had learned to cock the poor country
lads cap rakishly over one eye; and by even
ing was walking with a swagger and longing
q know to meet with folks. For, To spare
her the sight of the ruined cottage, l had
taken her round through the fields and by
every by path that seemed to lead westward.
Twas safer TO journey thus; and all the way
she practiced a mans carriage and 6Srs, and
how to wink ana whistle and swing a stick.
And once, when she left one Of her shoes in
wet ditch, she said ''Damn!" az ne5Rral as
life; and then
We jumped over a hedge, plump into an
outpost of rebels, as they sat munching their
supper.
They were six in all, and must have been
sitting like mice, for all know of it Is this:
had climbed the hedge first and was help
ng Della over, when out of the ground, as it
seemed, a voice shrieled: "Run-run.-the
kings men are on us!' and then, my foot
slipping, down L went on to the shoulders OF
a thick set man, and well nigh broke his neck
as he turned to look up at me.
At first, the whole six were for running,
believe. But seeing only a lad stretched on
his face, and a second on the hedge, they
thought better of it. Before could scram-
bic up, one pair of hands was screwed about
my neck, another at my heels and in a trics
there we were pinioned.
search the malignantin cried one. "QueS-
ton him!" called out another; and forthwith
began a long interrogatory concerning the
movements of his majesty's troops, from
the late encounter but, of course, could an
swer nought. Twas only natural they
should interpret this silence for obstinacy.
March 'em off to Capt. Stubbs!"
"Halloa" shouted a pock marked trooper
that had his hand thrust in on my breast;
"1ring the lantern close here. What's this!n
Twas, alasl the kings letter; and / bit my
lip while they clustered round, turning the
lanterns yellow glare upon the superscrip-
ton.
We were marched down the road for
mile or more, till we heard a loud bawling,
as of a man in much bodily pain, and soon
came to a small village, where, under tav-
ern lamp, by the door, was a man perched
up on a tub, and shouting forth portions OF
the Scripture to some twenty or more green
coats assembled round. Our conductor pushed
10 the left in the passage he halted, and,
knocking once, thrust us inside.
The room was bare and lit very dimly by
two tal!ow candles, set in bottles. Between
these, on 4 deal table, lay map outspread,
and over it man was bending, who looked
up sharply at OuI" entrance.
He was thin, with a blue nos2, and wore a !
green uniform like the rest; only his carriage
proved him a man Of authority.
This Capt. Stubbs listened, YOU may bs
sure with Frightening eve to the sergeant's /
story, and at the close fixed an inquisitiye
gaze on the pair of Us, turning the kings let |
ter over and over in his hands.
How came this in your possessionl" he |
asked, at length.
THAT, " said |, 81 must decline TO tell.
He hesitated moment; then, reseating
himself, broke the seal spread the letter upon 7
the map, and read It slowly through. For +
the first time / began heartily TO hope tnat /
the paper contained nothing OF moment But .
the mans face was no index OF this. He read F.
it through twice, folded it ave- in his breast /
ana turned to the sergeant
Tomorrow at 6 IN the morning we con /
tinue our march. Meanwhile keep these tel 1
lows secure. l look 10 you Tor this"
The sergeant saluted and we were led out. +
That night we passed in handouts, huddied /
with fifty soldiers in hay loft Of the inn /.
and hearkeuing 20 their curious talk, that I
was half composed Of Holy Writ and half of
gibes at our expense. They were beaten men, +
and, like al such, found comfort IL deriding I.
the greater misforrlneS Of others
Before daylight the bugles began to sound. /
and we We're led down TO the green before /
the tavern door where already were close I
upon i've hundred gathered, that had been (
bI.leJei about the village and were now form /
ing in order of nlarcn-a soiled. battered /
crew, with torn ensiCnS and little heart in /,
their movements. The sky began a cold /
Grizz.e as We set out and through tins sad 1
dening weather We J-udged all dav. Della /
ami being kept well apart. she with tbs /
vanguard and / in the rear, seeing only the I
winding column. the detected heads bobbing (
in front as they bent 70 the SlantlnS rain, the I
Cott2Eers that came out TO stare as we passed. /
and hearing bat the h,,arse words of com I
maDd. tie low mutterin-s Of the men. auG /
always the mo1otououS tramp. tramp, /
through the sluSh and mjre Of the roads.
It's Ike bad dream to me. and l viii not
dwell oG Is. That night we passed at CGippen- (
ham. q small marbct town. ami on the NOR /
row went trampinS again through worse {
weather, but always amid the same sights /
ana sounds
Daylight was falling when the towers Of 1
Bristol grew clear out Of the Ieaiea mist in /
front ana by o'clock we halJei outside the
walls and beside the ditch OF the castle, wait
ing for the drawbridge uo be let down. A.
reSdy great crowd had gathered about Us,
Of those who had come out 70 learn the news /
OF tie defeat, which. tie day before. some /
fuEitiyeS had carried 70 Bristol. To their