The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-06-10

sake let me hide you somewhere 1t
were ruin, indeed, for him to see You
here"
CHAPTER Nv.
HIS DEAREST FOE.
There is strong contrast between a
lady's boudoir with charming young
woman for companion and the cob
webby loft Of stable, whose chief
feature is some evil-smelling, mildewed
hay, with occasional glimpses OF fat,
lazy spiders spinning webs for flies that
never come to the sun-forsalsen spot,
yet that was Just the metamorphosis
which Frank Besant realized.
He had been hastily hurried through
the yard at the back of the house, per-
emptorily ordered to climb ladder to
his present uncomfortable quarters, and
notified that II he did not keep perfect
ly quiet until further communications,
he would bring heavy trouble on the
head Of his fair acquaintance, let alone
entailing disagreeable consequences on
himself. So he sat for hours moodily
Illuminating over the days occurrences
and wondering how the adventure would
wind up.
The shades Of evening began to fall
at last, and Frank got more and more
uncomfortable. Had 1t not been for
Charles Fulton he would have made an
effort to escape, but Of course that was
out of the question; besides he felt that
1t would be poor return to the girl
for her kindness, If he were to allow his
impatience to jeopardize her safety.
At last.
There was some one moving in the
stable below. Frank listened with
breathless interest. Presently voice
called out cautiously:
"'Tis me, boss-Aun' Matte. Jess
come down de ladder sawf'ly es ye can
-dar ain nobody heah but fren's."
You may be sure that he obeyed the
summons with willing haste.
81 mos skeered to deaf bout 70,
honey" the old woman whispered as he
stood beside her. "For Cords sake
foller sawf'ly an don't ask no ques-
tions."
She led him through door into an
alley, where stood a light delivery
wagon, with an old gray horse In the
shafts, and white-haired negro
perched on the drivers seat. Acting
in obedience TO Aunt Mattie's directions,
he sprang into the body Of the vehicle,
only to find himself beside the recum-
bent figure Of his wounded Captain.
Don be skeered, boss-lie down-we
ain a-gwine ter hurt YER" cautioned
the driver, as he flung tarpaulin
cloth over them and started bis horse
on steady Jog.
To Franks delight his companion
was the first to break the silence.
"Besant, my dear fellow, shall never
forget the service you have done me
this night
Never mind that, SIR"
"But do mind IL, and always shall
mind II. ! was not insensible all tho
time lay on that cursed doorstep, so
saw something of the gallant fight you
made 10 save my hfe."
"Well, don't linger on that subject
Where do you think this darly Is car
rying us2"
ITO the fair grounds, where our regi-
ment lies. Won't my father be Jolly
glad TO set eyes on me--guess he's given
me up for gonerr'
but how came you TO get over the
effects Of that ugly knock on the head
30 soon2"
splendid nursing. By Jove, but that
was the house Of the Mothers and Sisters
Of Mercy with vengeance. But, say,
Besant, did you ever see any thing SO
perfect In the shape Of woman as Miss
Wish I'd seen more of her,
but II shant be my fault II the acquaint-
anoe isn't improved, though IL does seem
a pity that they should be on the wrong
side of the fence In this National scrim- |
mage, doesn't IL? And that reminds
me to ask you as particular favor not
10 let on to any one any thing of a shady
,olor you may have noticed in that
house, as IL would be too bad to bring
hem into trouble after all they have
lone for u.s."
II was about to make the same sug-
yestion." Frank said, pleased that the
iecessity Of cautioning somewhat vol
title young fellow, though still his surr-
'ior officer, was spared him.
The drivers precautions, which en-
allied considerable discomfort on his
wo passengers, seemed TO them super
iuous, for no one molested them on tho
rip. 1t was tedious, disagreeable
ide, but at last they were cheered by
he hoarse challenge Of the sentry and
leartily glad TO find themselves among
heir own again.
81 dassent go no furdcr, boss" the
river said, whipping his horse round so
harply that he almost overturned the
ehicle, proceeding which nearly cost
i'm bullet through his body from the
but too inpatient young
older on guard.
Frank run forward, however, and ex-
,lained matters, while the darby
elped Fulton TO the ground, where he
eft him lying, not even stopping 10
axe the handful Of silver the young
fiicer offered him, but, putting his nag
0 his best, sped In direction Of the city.
Assoon as Frank reached his quarters,
G learned that the police and officers
, plain clothes had been securing the
treets on the line Of march, and that
he Colonel was well nigh distracted by
heir futile efforts TO discover the
Of his son. AS for the
lds Of Captain Fulton's company, they
'ere In wild state Of excitement, for
he young officer was great favorite
nth them, and they had volunteered,
nth more courage than discretion, 70