The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-21
buttering another biscuit. And because

buttering another biscuit. And because
I wanted to find out all about
"All about what?'' asked Mr.. Deometari.
"About MIR. Pruitt and-everything."
"Well,' said MIR. Deometari, II won't
tell you precisely why l sent for you-you'l
ons is that I want you to go with a little
party of US to a point not far from your
home. You know the roads, and you know
what the negroes call the short cuts.'
'"To-night?" asked Joe.
"Yes. tonight. Not now, but a little
later"
Joe ate his supper. and then sat gazing
into the fire that had been kindled on the
hearth.
IT was just thinking, Mr.. Deo,'' he said
after awhile, whether | ought to 90 and
see mother"
"Now. that is the question:" said MIR.
Deometari, drawing his chair closer to the
lad. as if pre- caring to argue the matter.
"Of course, you feel as if you ought to 90.
That is natural. But if you 60, you will
nave to give your mother some reason for
being here. You could only tell her that I
had sent for you. This is such q uoor
J reason that she would be uneasy. Don't
| you think sop
"Well," said Joe after a pause, Il can
| come to see her next Sunday"
Rubbing his fat hands together, Mr..
| Deometari looked at Joe a long time. He
] seemed to be- meditatinp. The ring on his
finger gIistened like a ray of sunlight
that had been captured and was trying to
escape.
II want to take you around,o he said
to Joe after awhile, land introduce you
to Captain Johnson, our worthy provost
marshal"
"Me?" asked the lad in a tone of as
constituent.
YES" said Mr.. Deometary, why not?
A bright boy like Won should be acquainted
with all our great military mon. Our
noble captain would be very glad to see
Won if he knew as much about your visit as
! do"
''But. as it isl said Joe, quickly, ''he
don't know any more about it than / do.o
MY dear boy exclaimed Mr.. Deome-
tart. in a bantering tone, don't get impa-
tlent. 1t is all 80 very simple that all our
plans might be spoiled if tell you. Now,
them he continued. looking at his watch,
'le you are ready we will go. Yon have no
o%vetcoat, out my shawl here will answer
just as WE'LL
Joe prote1ted that he never wore an over
coat, oven IN the coldest weather, but hih
protest had no effect upon Mr.. Deometari,
who gave the shawl a dexteroua turn and
wrapped jos in it from head to heels. Then
he fastened 1T at tho lHd'a thrOnt with a
long steel pin TINT had a handle like q
dagger.
why, ! look Just like n GIRL said Joe,
Qlancine dow ut his feet.
Very we'll. Miss Josephine" said Mr.
Deometari, laughing, ''just take my ATM
The provost marsnal's office was on the
opposite side of the public square from the
tavern, and MIR. Deonletari, instead of fol
lowing the sidewalk, went through ths
court house yard. There was not muct
forlnality observed around tho office, There
waA no sentinel stationed at tho door
which was opened lin response to MIR
DeometariR knock by u small negro hoy
netafi went, followed by Joe. A Iipht
shone from the door at the end of the pas
sage on the left, and into this door Mr.
Deometari went without ceremony. Their.
was not much furniture in tho oom-fou
chairs, a lounge aud Il table. A swort
hung on the wall between lithoxraph nor
traits OF Gen. Les and Stonewall jackson
and on one sido was II long array of pipeor
holes full OF papers. A man sat Mt ths
table, and 30 bnsliy engaged in writing tim
he only nodded with looking up f4oln hi
work.
Henderson," said Mr.. Deometari. .,
have company tonight. ! want Won /.
) know thls young man. His name ia 10
!. maxwell lie 10 n honorary member of tn,
, relief committee
At this Henderson wiped his pom on hi
! head and laid it down. Then he peere,
: heroSs the tnble ut Joe. Tho two candle
} that GhVe him light were so closa IN hi
\ eyes that they blinded him when he life
his face. ~
, Maxwell did you say. All right Mr., Mar
we'll: ! am glad to see you. Excues m
hand. it's full of ink
i, MI. Henderson had a soft, gentle voice