The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-03-07

(By capt. F.sA. MITCHELL u IS A. COPY
righted by American Press Association. All
rights reserved) - r ~A
Both parties moved slowly away ST.
multaneously. They had scarcely started
before the corporal heard his name spo-
ken in a woman's voice. but one with
which he was not familiar.
''Ratsl''
He turned and saw what must be
Miss Baggs, for her dress was the same,
though her head and neck were changed,
standing in the buggy, her back to the
horse, her face directly toward him.
Her glasses were gone, her sunbonnet
hung in one hand, while she held reins
in the other. Never had the corporal be-
held SO great change in so brief a
space Of time. The jolting had disar-
ranged mass of dark hair which had
partly fallen over her shoulders. Her
eyes were black and lustrous, her COM
plexion an olive relieved by ruddiness
on the cheek. Her superb head was set
on her neck as if it had been placed
there by an artist. The face was lighted
by smile Of triumph-a smile so be-
witching that it haunted the corporal to
his dying day.
Ratigan had not recovered from his
surprise before she spoke to him in a
rich contralto voice., as little like that
he had heard from her as fife is like
the mellow tones of an organ.
Corporal, please present my compli-
ments to Major Burke and thank him
fer me for his kindness, and tell him
that when he sends another woman
through the lines under pretense of keep
ing her eyes shut, when he has an espe-
cial purpose of his own in view, not to
send an 'Oirishman' for an escort. :" The
smile on her lips broadened and showed
q set Of white teeth. "The 'Oirish' race
as diplomats are not usually successful
An revoir, corporal -
There was q grin on the faces of the
Confederate lockers OH and astonish-
ment on the honest countenance of Cor
poral Ratigan.
s'And, Rats, she continued, evident
ly enjoying bringing out the word with
her rich voice, as one loves to roll old
wine on the tongue, ''when woman
desires to race, it is not always for the
money up" She tossed the bill she had
won toward him.
''And, Rats, don't race again with
any one with a rawboned animal with
long legs. Bobby Lee is from the blue
grass regions Of Kentucky. There's
something wrong about his breathing
apparatus, but even with that disadvan-
tage he can trot mile over good road
in $780,"
Had Miss Baggs appeared less be.
witching as she stood there under the
protection Of half dozen Confederate
troopers, Ratigan would have turned
away impatiently. AS it was, she SEEM
ed to hold him by spell.
Zone thing more, my bonny cardinal
flower. Tell the major that like the
young man from County Cavan' he has
recommended to me very much" Her
eyes fairly danced. "When the war is
over, l hope you will look me up. In
Quire for Betsy Baggs at the St. Cloud
hotel, Nashville.
With this she threw him kiss from
the tips Of her fingers, which, now that
her glove was removed, he noticed were
white and round. There was really
something sympathetic in the last glance
she gave him. In it was regret that it
had been necessary for her to deceive so
honest and manly fellow. 1t was the
final dart that pierced the Irishman s
heart and completed his inthrallment.
Leaving the corporal and his men gap
ing in the road, the party moved away
The last thing Ratigan heard was a
hoarse laugh from one Of the Confeder-
ates, which was rebuked by Miss Baggs
and reprimanded by the officer.
The corporal led his party northward
in no good humor. At the picket post
he left the men he had taken with him
and rode OH alone meditatively. In pass