The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-06


ing saw a great hole in the hiIl-facing to
the southwestern the very place l had
searched for it, and out of this beam of
light glancing.
Creeping near on tip toe found one huge
block Of granite, that before had seemed bed
ded among dozen fellow powders against
the turf-the base resting on another well
nigh as big-was now rolled back, having
been fixed 10 work smoothly on a pivot yet
so like nature that no eye, but by chance,
could detect it. Now, who in the beginning
designed this hiding place 1 leave you TO con-
slider, and whether it was the Jews or Phoe-
ADMINISTRATIONS am told that once worked
the hills around for tin. But inside twas
curiously paved and lined with slabs of gran
tie, the specks of ore in which, l noted, were
the points of light that had once puzzled me.
And here was Joan's bower and Joan herself
inside it
She was sitting with her back to me, in her
left hand holding up the mirror, that caught
the rays of the TOW sinking sun (and thus
had dazzled me), while with her right she
tried TO twist into some form of knot her
tresses-black. and coarse as a horses name
that already she had roughly braided. A
pail Of water stood beside her, and around
lay scattered a score or more of long thorns,
cut to the shape of hairpins.
IT'S probable that after a minutes watch
ing l let some laughtcS escape me. At any
rate, Joan turned, spied me, and scrambled
up, with an angry red on her cheek. Then
saw that her bodice was neater laced than
usual, and a bow of yellow ribbon lfished up
heaven knows whence) stood in the bosom.
But the strangest thing was to note the effect
of this new tidiness upon her; for she took q
step forward as if TO cuff me by the ear-as,
a day agone, she would have done-and then
stopped, very shy and hesitat,pg.
'Why. Joan, :" said I, don't be angered. Il
suits you choicely-it does indeed. Joan, art
certainly a handsome girl; give me kiss for
the mirror"
Instead of flying out, as 1 looked for, she
faced round and answered me gravely:
THAT l will not; not to any but my mas.
ter"
And who is that?"
"No man yet; nor shall be till one has beat
me sore; him viii love an follow like dog
If so be he whack me often enow."
"a strange way TO love-" laughed |.
She looked at me straight, albeit with an
odd, gloomy light in her eyes.
Think so, Jack! then give thee leave to
try"
think there is always brutality lurking
in man to leap out unawares. Yet why do
/ seek excuses, that have never yet found
one! To be plain, | sprang fercely up and
after Joan, who had already started, and
was racing along the slope.
Twice around the tor she led me; and,
though l strained my best, not yard could !
gain upon her. for her bare feet carried her
light and free. Indeed, | was losing ground,
when, coming to the jews Kitchen a second
time, she tried to slip inside and shut the
stone in my face.
Then should l have been prettily bemocked
had | not, with a great effort, contrived TO
thrust my boot against the door just as ii
was closing. Wrenching it open, laid hand
on her shoulder; and in a moment she had
gripped me and was wrestling like a wildcat.
Now, being Cumberland bred, knew only
the wrestling of my own county, and moth
ing of the Cornish style. For in the north
they stand well apart, and try to wear down
one anOther's strength; whereas the Cornish
is a brisker, lighter play, and-as [ must con-
fess-prettier TO watch. So when Joan rushed
in and closed with me was within an ace of
being thrown, pat.
But, recovering, got her at arms length,
and held her so, while my heart ached to see
my fingers gripping her shoulders and sink
ing into the flesh. [ begged off; but she only
fought and panied and struggled to lock
me by the ankles again. | could not have
dreamed to find such fierce strength in a girl.
Once or twice she nearly Overmastered me;
but at length my stubborn play wore her
out. Her breath came short and fast, then
fainter; and in the end, still holding her off,
| turned her by the shoulders and let her
drop quietly on the turf. No thought had ]
any longer Of kissing her, but stood back,
heartily sick and ashamed of myself
For while she lay, turned over on her
side, with hands guarding her head, as if ex-
pecting me to strike her. Then, gathering
herself up, she came and put her hand in
mine very meekly.
Had liked it better hadst thou stamped
the life out o me, almost. But there, lad
am thine fOreverl"
Twas like a buffet in the face to me-
"Whatl" | cried
She looked up in my face-dear heaven,
that l should have to write it!-with eyes
brimful, sick with love; tried TO speak, but
could only nod, and broke into a wild fit OF
tears
and burning remorse in my heart, when /
heard the clear notes of a bugle blown, away
on the road to Launceston.
Looking that way | saw a great company
of horse coming down over the crest, the sun
shining level on their arms and a green stand
ard that they bore in their midst.
Joan spied them the same instant and
checked her sobs Without a word we flung
3,
watch.
They were more than a thousand, as l
guessed, and came winding down the road
very orderly, TILL being fun of them, it
seemed a long serpent writhing with shiny
scales. The tramp Of hoofs and jingling of
bits were pretty 10 hear.
"Rebels" whispered L
Joan nodded.
There were three regiments in all, whereof
the first and biggesu was of dragons So
clear was the air, could almost read the
legend on their standard, and the calls of
their captains were borne up to US extremely
distinct
Turning my head as the last rider disap-
peared on the way to Bodmin. spied a squat,
oddly shaped man Striding down the hill very
briskIv; vet he looked about him often and
kept 10 the hollows of the ground, and was
crossing below Us, Us it appeared, straight for
Joans cottage.
Cried I: There Is but one man in the
world with such a gait, and that's Billy Pot
terv."
And, jumping to my feet tfor he vas come
directly beneath u.s., caught up great
stone and sent 1t bowling down the siope
Bounce II went past him, missing his legs
by foot or less. The man turned, aud
catching sight Of me Is ! stood waving. made
his way Up the h..L Twas indeed Capt
Billy; and, coming UP. the honest fellow al
most Rugged me for JOY.