Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-08-29

courtesy 10 SOulo Ialr anCebLTeSS Oh Lno
Helens, but in all Glen's young girlhood
it had never echoed to the footsteps Of
any dancers save those with whom her
fancy had peopled it.
what fine old roomr' said Campbell
admiringly. He impulsively put out
one foot to try the polished surface, and
at the same time Missy, with her short
skirts daintily lifted in her chubby hands
and her charming head held smilingly to
one side, advanced toward him with pref
ty mincing steps. He looked up. hoping to
see her sisters severe young mouth relax,
but there was a sudden whiz, the candle
was dashed from her hand, and they were
In utter darkness. Glen uttered faint
cry, there was scream from Missy, and
for one brief moment the captain felt
that these two young creatures shrank
toward him for protection, but Glen soon
recovered herself.
"It was only a bat" she said calmly,
and sure enough, when the candle was
found and relit, the ugly creature, scared
from some dusty hiding place, was seen
circling and swooping over their heads.
But they had had enough of exploring.
AS they retraced their steps the captain
insisted upon holding the candle and
leading the way, and Missy clung con-
fidingly to his hand, in spite cf her sis
ter's whispered remonstrances. When
they reached the head of the stairs the
small witch put up her arms with plea
to be carried" which could not be re-
cic nd haf tv,fa
the captain had shifted his candle to the
left hand and swung her up to his
shoulder with his strong right arm, to
her great glee and delight. All the way
down the long staircase Glen bit her lip
at the sight of the small, dark head rest
ing so contentedly against the blond
one, and when Missy's evening ablutions
were performed some hours afterward.
her left cheek and her pink right palm
were scrubbed SO vigorously as to cause
complaint. When she came to say her
prayers at her sisters knee, Glen STUN
bled at the sublime plea for forgiveness
las we forgive those who trespass
against us"-and hurried on, with lump
in her throat, to an additional petition.
"And now, Missy. don't forget-God
bless mother and Frank and Glen and
Maum Betsy"
"And the Yankee man." Missy added
gravely, with such exquisite innocence
in her serious eyes that the girl could but
bow her head at the soft amen.
When the captain and his men moved
into their new quarters Missy went over
body and soul to the enemy. Aside from
the fattering devotion of which she
gradually became the object. there were
other considerations which appealed to
heras strongly. The captain had learned
to coax her affections by catering to her
taste for dainties-sweet crackers, pre-
served ginger and other nxnries not un-
known to an officers table-and the
pretty gourmand was feasted and petted
to her hearts content. But if her humble
slave and admirer imagined for an in
staut thst her naive friendliness might
act as an opening to some intercourse
with the rest of her family he was des-
tined to disappointment.
What file network Of dignified. yet
exquisite. reserve these southern women
could weave around them! Day after
day Captain Campbell found himself smil-
iug at it, wondering ut it, chatting at it.
His enforced term of idlencss in = lonely
country house was a sufficient explana-
ton to himself of any interest he might
take in his surroundings. Such an ex-
perience of boredom was enough to war
rant the degree of pleasure lie began to
feel in the rare appearance OF girlish
form, or the sound of fresh young
voice, which was not often audible.
Sometimes he enjoyed the privilege of
seeing the s;irning Nelse lead fine old
hunter around to one of the side doors
of the mansion. and then he would watch
breathlessly the breezy grace with which
the Virginia girl swung to her saddle.
He learned in time that these afternoon
rides were not pleasure excursions. They
were errands to the postoffice, about five
miles distant, upon which Nelse was
never trusted. and the captain soon sue
ceeded in approximating SO exactly the
period required for their performance
that the twilight was almost sure to find
him at his window in time to watch the
return-the thoroughbred skiinming over
the ground like bird, while Glen's 1.-the
body swayed easily to his magnificent
stride.
But never once did Captain Alan
Campbell gain an opportunity of speak
ing to her after their first meeting. Her
mother he saw almost daily, for her wom-
ans heart was not proof against the fact
that sufferer was lying under her roof,
and the wounded young sergeant, who
was wasting away with fever, had rea-
son to bless her tender ministrations.
For awhile the captain found himself
hoping that another gentle presence
might brighten the sick room, but Mrs.
Helen always came alone, and only once
did the captain meet his younger hostess
face to face. 1t was one evening when
Missy, entirely forgotten by her elders,
had made one of her surreptitious visits
to the soldiers quarters, and there, over
come with drowsiness and an excess Of
sweetmeats, had fallen asleep in Captain
Campbell's arms. He could not bear to