Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-04-30

Of his Colonel, reel and fall PROSTATE
on the sidewalk, struck on the temple
by a rock hurled from a neighboring
window. In moment he sprang to the
side of the insensible man, and ere
the mob was upon him, managed to
drag his body to the shelter of the door
way of handsome residence. In the
turmoil the incident was unnoticed by
his comrades, who marched away be-
yond hope of rescue.
The mob was on him. In the strength
of desperation he dubbed the foremost,
not in his inexperience daring to trust to
the bayonet; but do all he could it
seemed hopeless, for as one of the
crowd fell another was upon him.
Then his musket was wrenched from
his hands and he was defenseless-bu
only for an instant, for his eye fell on
his officers sword. and he snatched it
from his scabbard and turned once more
upon his foes. But at the first blow,
which was Tended by the appraised blud-
geon of brawny ruffian, the paltry
blade snapped at the hilt.
Aye, know many rich ladies nova
days, dressed in silks and seal-skins,
whose fathers made their money by
selling Just such murderOus trash to
their country's defenders, and who have
not even a blush for the blood that
stains their finery.
Fighting to the last, Frank braced
himself against the door and did his
best. There was not hope for him, for
the mob was wild with rage at his de-
termined resistance.
Then, as a crashing blow from an
axe-handle fell on his uplifted arm. the
door suddenly opened and he tumbled
headlong into the hallway. Luckily.
too, at that moment the mob behind,
impelled by the false alarm of soldiers
advancing in the rear, hurled his assail-
ants forward, and he had time to recov-
er himself and drag his wounded Captain
inside the house. The heavy door was
slammed and bolted, and for the time he
was safe.
Well might he stare around him with
wondering eyes. Before him stood a
young girl, pale as sheet with excite
ment, but beautiful beyond his dreams
of woman's loneliness. He had never
seen that peculiar type of feminine per
lection found only among the Southern
ladies, which combines the flashing
beauty of the daughter of Italy with
the healthy vigor of the Saxon maiden.
Somehow or other he had got it into
his head that all the young women
south of Mason and Dixon's line were
| sallow specimens of humanity with
| lackadaisical manners and feeble con-
situations; so this glorious young Great
ure was a revelation to him
She blushed under his ardent gaze.
and said. demurely:
ST was watching your unequal strug-
| gle through the window blinds, and at
last summoned up courage enough to
unbar the door and give you shelter"
His eyes alone thanked her.
"But come" she added impatiently
''this is no time for explanations.
Raise your friends head while sum
mon assistance, for we are only women
in the house as the domestics have fled
| in terror to their quarters"
Even as she spoke she left him
Presently, however, she returned, &C.
companied by q sweet old lady with
silver hair. and bevy of colored WON
en-, whose neat white caps and aprons
showed cleaning contrast to their
/ ebon skins.
At once the elderly Lady took com
! mand of affairs.
mo BE coNrMuED.1