Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-04-06

handling the reins so like an expert.
ssAisy, darlin' Ye've no made to look
out. TIL shtrate's all Clear" the driver
said, making an easy turn to face the
gate. ''Be me sowl, do be forgetthin!
Here's note fur tn young miss Misther
McKay's soft on
Then dead silence reigned, as the
master of the house took the note in,
soon reappearing with two shadowy
figures, one heavily muffied.
There was long, clinging embrace,
and then Carolyn Clay whispered:
''Words cannot say what owe you.
Bess-and him! Think of it, dear,
with Gods blessing, within three days
I shall kiss mamma and my poor little
Fairfax
sGood-by, darling Caro-. May He
watch over and take you safely to them.
Willie says you can trust the woman
implicitly"
God bless you and him! God bless
you al1!'
Another straining of the girl to her
heart, long, sisterly kiss, and Carolyn
Clay was on the seat by her strange
guide, and Mr.. Gray tuclzing in the
heavy robes, needful tn at freezing night
Then out quietly into the still street,
slowly over echoing stones, through
moonless, bitter cold, the huntingtrap
ratified lightly, the pace mending as
they neared the outskirts and the i'm
patient horse, given his head, broke into
his swinging trot.
Carolyn Clay, wrapped in close-cling-
ing thought and once more joyous in her
sense of freedom gained, was as silent
for awhile as was the careful driver; but,
as they LETT houses far behind and
bow1ed along the country road, she
turned to her mute companion:
''You seem to be a good driver"
''Shure; I've druv HING afore. TIL
beastie knows the hand o. me-" was the
quiet reply.
''Is there any chance of meeting pa
trolls on this road?' the girl agar
queried, after pause.
''Divvil a guard was the response.
eth addijjittint-gineril towld me-by
tn same token, Misther McKay-thot
tn road was clear"
''Halt! Who goes there?" rang out a
challenge from the darkness directly 10
front; and the drivers great fur gloves
rested against the ample bust, as the
horse was pulled up short. 'sWho goes
there?" the challenger repeated, gruffly.
AN who wad we shuppose?" was the
answer, to Miss Clay's great dread.
can, by tn same token, it's not goin' I
am, but comm
''Have you the countersign, wonan?"
''Have tn aohaats But I'm not to be
shtopped by my wan! Gin'rl Bond,
beyant in tn town, sid I'd take me
| dOchther home free an ondisthurbed,
sor.''
''Have you the countersign?" again
came grufdy from the darkness.
''Shure I've some av it, was the re-
ply, and the driver nudged Miss Clay,
as the fur glove went deep into the am
pie pocket and drew forth a goodly
flask. To the girls wonderment, it
went straight to the owners mouth, a
| gurgling swallow, resounding smack
and strong odor of brandy filing the
cold air on its withdrawal.
''Corp'ral-ga-a Post number one!''
called the impatient sentry, as his mus
ket ratified to a charge
There was sound of feet approaching
| at run; then the thick voice growled:
''Vot fur vos you yelling, Shones?
Hat you found Something's, ain'd id?''
challenged, and no countersign!''
| the sentry replied.
''Dismound, vrend, und geefe der
gounderzine,'' the corporal ordered,
| throwing his lantern above his head
and dimly showing the two women on
the trap.
"Wudn't we come an git it, Misther
| Kraut?" was the unmiEtary rejoinder.
| 9Th likes o we, be thratin' ladies wild
shman considdyrayshin, shure! WhaG,
wad the gin'rl beyant, as gin us tn
pass, be sayin av SIGH thratement?''
''Coom dot Wagon down und geef der
| gounderzine!' the German recruit
| growled back. Coon down like der
deffel so fast!'
''Dismount, if you have the word, -
Carolyn Clay whispered low.
''Divvil tut!'' was the return whisper
with the addition aloud: Here it be,
Mishter Dutchy, writ by the gin'ril all
over tn paper!"
| Hesitant between newly-learned dis
cipline and the glamour of oft-repeated
| title, the green non-commish. advanced
cautiously towards the wagon, peerine
keenly under his uplifted lantern
Grasping the extended paper, he read il
laboriously with one eye, while trying
to fix the other on the two women.
"Dot vos all ride" he said at length
handing back the paper. you may
proceed
The sentry stepped aside, facing and
coming to a Garry" but the cart die
not move; and Miss Clay trembled, lest
the gulp from the flask had done its
! work
''Ven, What for you vos vaiding?" the
corporal asked, impatiently, shaping
his arms for warmth.
by me sow1, ye're a darlin'!'' was the
retort. Didn't We ask fur it-fu,
some av tn country sign?" And the
driver extended the flask, in full light
of the lantern, adding: "Ye naden't re
fuse. 1t do be the rale craythur."
With puckering lips and quick glance
towards his inferior, the new levy low
cred his light, seized the flask and TOOK
one huge gulp, wiping his mouth on hi:
overcoat cape as he handed it back.
''Ye're not afther bein' name emo tt
leave out yer parthner?" the owner o,
the liquid asked. ''It do be cowld emo
I'm thinkin', to make m made a dhrop.