The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-04-11

The very words she had used that
morning. She forgot herself for one
moment and stared curiously at the
British officer. He was a goodly man
to look at, young, 1.-the, with a fine
face and an eagle eye. Her eyes fell,
she blushed, then desperately asserted
herself:
"You honor us by your condescen-
sion. When you have reached the
house you may look where you please
but spare my mother, she is an in
valid. You will not find my brother
here"
"Are you speaking the truth9" asked
the officer, almost rudely.
1--WE are not a nation of liars" re-
torted Molly.
The soldiers and their captain made
a thorough search of the house, but
found nothing that would indicate the
presence OF the man they sought, or
any papers of state such as they were
seeking,
The captain requested Mrs. Mayo to
accompany him in their search, which
she trembIingly did, but she in no wise
hurried them; on the contrary, every
expedient that she or Molly or old Amy
could think upon to detain them was
brought into requisition. Nothing was
found.
Then the men were detached to pre-
pare breakfast. They were about to
forage on the barnyard, when they
espied a great platter of eggs on the
sideboard.
"Ha! Easter eggs, the very thing"
said their captain, with a joyful laugh.
mo one can tamper with those de-
licious edibles. Cook in as many ways
as it pleases you, Stanley. We will
keep u Easter in seemly fashion
without the church this year."
Help yourselves, gentlemen, we
are at your mercy. You will find a
small portion of food in the cupboard.
We have been imposed upon before by
our enemies, but God has graciously
preserved our lives" said Mrs. Mayo,
bitterly.
Ladies'" said the captain, with a
polite smile, you are sharing with us
the fortunes of Please be seated
at our festive board. We must not
lose sight of you while we eat"
The soldiers did their own cooking,
old Amy following them about ham
pering them at every step, and DINING
her explanatory phrases into their
ears.
DE good Lawd! I neber see such
wicked waste in all my bawn days!
All dem Easter aiggs gwine ter feed
dem rebel sogers! Use done sorry dey's
fresh aiggs, 1 is"
"Out of the way, old woman, stir
your stumps," said the soldiers, good
naturally.
"Allow me, madam, to escort you to
the head of the table" said the young
captain, gallantly, when the meal of
camp bacon and eggs was served, offer
ing his arm to Mrs. Mayo.
The troubled and confused woman
rose feebly, and was about to take his
proffered arm, when instantly a slight
form interposed between them.
"Do not touch that man, mother
Bethink you, he is our natural enemy.
You shall not insult my mother, sir,
while I live to protect herr
GAS you will, " answered the captain,
coolly, meeting the flashing scorn of
her fine eyes with a look of admiration
he could not conceal. BE pleased to
remain here, ladies'" he resumed in a
tone of command, "or it will be neces
sary to place you under arrest"
eve consider ourselves under arrest
as we are" retorted Molly, hotly, and
as she stamped her foot to give en-
phasis to her words the young officer
noticed it's extreme beauty.
They ate and drank hurriedly and
without evident suspicion of those about
them, drinking their own bitter coffee
without milk or sugar, both of which
old Amy offered them, with many a
grimace, however.
w must to horse, "cried the captain
suddenly, pushing his chair back alb
ruptly, and rising with such haste
that he nearly overturned the table.
He reeled and would have fallen but
that the soldier next to him caught
him.
"Ha! a plot, treason! poison" he
gasped and sank insensible in his chair.
At the same moment each of the sol
diers began to reel.
"Drugged, by" but the nan could
not finish his speech; he fell in a heap
On the floor.
MWhn hath done this awful deed ~