The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-17

We are"
stop" said wylIson. who had risen to
| MS feet and was looking round, there's
girl coming this way carrying a basket.
Wen ask her. By Jove, she's a fine
| looking creature, too, and it won't be half
PAD 10 have chat with her. Now then,
you fellows, leave this 10 me, I'll man
age II. TN be a one-hoss show, so to
speak. shes going on an errand for her
master That's fact number one made
pain Now for IL, she's coming round
the turn there-she hasn't seen us vet"
pace good-sized basket hanging from
her arm. She was dressed IN white and
wore a great plain straw hat. She was
humming a song when she suddenly
caught sight of WILSON, who was stand
ing IN the middle of the road chewing
a 'twig, so that he might appear totally
at ease and unconcerned.
Hello, Mary" he began, boldly where
have you come frOm?"
The girl started, then laughed amused
~. I'm from the rectOry, sir" she said
Wyllson glanced around in triumph. as
| much as to say to Stamford and Saule,
IL, IL tod you so; you see l know what
From the rectory?" repeated Wyllson.
| Live there, l suppOse2'
Yes, sir" said the girl.
The repetition of sir" convinced Wyll-
son that he was right. No one but a
servant would say sir" True. this par
ucular servant was very bright and self
possessed, but that he thought, was no
| uncommon thing amongst servants in
these days.
''And you're going on an errand?" said
Wylson, taking a strange delight in his
questioning, seeing that he encountered
no opposition. Besides 1t was very agree
able to talk in such manner with
handsome girl
I'm carrying some lunch from the
rectory," said the girl.
Lunch" exclaimed Wyllson, with we'll
affected JOY. BLESS my soul, the very
thing we're wanting badly. How far are
you going with it2'
About a mile and a half, sir-to Cad
mans Barn." said the girl.
why. the very spot we want" said
Wyilson in ecstacy. viii you show US
Il viii direct you" said the girl; but
I'm afraid l daren't show you-the rec
tor wouldn't like II, I'm sure"
oh" said Wyllson, loftily, you
needn't be ashamed of walking with US
You'd be surprised TO learn who and what
we are, dare say. Shall l tell you?
Don't initiate yourself so much. Wyll-
son." interrupted Saule, who had walked
up, "or you might explode. l say, my
dear" Saule spoke with great ana
posed, tell US the easiest way to Cadman's
Barn We want to get there
Are you soldiers?" demanded the girl
ON" Wilson was beginning. correct
Eyes" again interrupted saule, land
| there's some lunch provided for us at
| the Barn, If we could only find the place"
It's twenty minutes walk over the
fiellds-,and you might lose your way"
Wllyson and Saule looked blankly at
Stamford, who was watching the trio with
an interest that was half-amused, half
contemptuous.
I'm carrying some lunch to a gentle
man who's to be at the Barn shortly" said
the girl And l must be going. Your
best way is straight along the road, then
up little lane on the left, and then over
stile on the right. l shall go over the
he eds. Good morning, gentlemen"
a NH
had been thinking hard. you saw vou
are going with some lunch to gentle
man at Cadman's Barn?
Yes" said the girl
WARP"
Hes concerned in sham fight or
other that's very silly, because they
haven't any soldiers and they haven't any
weapons, and there's no noise. They put
silly little bits of colored stuff on the
walls and fences, and say they're horses
ana men and guns. 1 never heard of any
thing so absurd
Wyllson waved his arm loftily as he said
"There's a mystery in these things, my
girl, that's beyond you. Which side is the
old Johnnie you're going to on?"
Il don't know he's on any side" said
the girl, but don't quite know"
rs he on the invaders sde?" demand
ed Wyllson.
Very likely" answered the girl.
That settles it, then" said Wyllson.
"Gentlemen"-he turned to Stamford and
Saule as he spoke-''I am struck with
fine idea. We are part of the defense; this
girl is taking food to the invaders. That
being so, the lunch in her possession is
contraband of war"
And If it's contraband of war we're en-
6 titled . to a. proceeded WILSON ddactic-
at seems to me to be very much like
petty theft" replied Stamford once more
nettled at the familiar and unauthorized
use of his Christian name.
Its no good apDealina n vou ba
EVIDENT said Wyllson. in injured tones
though I dare say that if Saule and / an
fall in and help to finish it, NV dear" he
continued, turning to the girl, we've de-
cided, that this lunch is contraband of
whats that?" asked the girl, innocent
1T means it's ours" explained Saule.
Come ONE, now, my charming creature"
SAID Wyllson, laying a hand on the bas-
ket give 1t up quietly. You know in real
ity, We're entitled to force it from you"
Il should strongly advise you to let me
go without molesting me-" said the girl
You'll regret it if you take the lunch.
And think of the trouble you'll get me
into. What would the Rector say?''
Rector be hanged!' said Wyllson. "Who
cares for him?'
IT have to- said the girl. Now. think
OF It: Or course can't resist the three
Your best plan is not to resist at ALL"
said Wyllson. Just cave in, and say no
yourself. You couldn't even if you were
a strong man, and what can you, a mere
woman, do? You wouldn't give us into
custody, l suppose, would you?' ''
NO" laughed the girl. IF you will
have the basket from me, it's there.
Saule nudged Wyllson hard, and whis-
pered, Look here, let her 20. | fancy
there's something queer about this bust
ness"
'Pooh." returned Wyllson. its all
right. 1 know slavey when I see one.
As I've told you, SHE'S one of the ser
wants at the Rectory--got her Sunday
clothes on and all that sort of thing
She doesn't know who or what we are
so we can't be discovered"
She'll precious soon set US down as a
parcel of cads," muttered Saule "But
I've had my say, do as you like"
Wyllson cleared his voice, and staring
at the girl, he resumed, DO you say the
gentleman you are going TO meet be-
longs to the army?
''Weu, I believe he has something to
do with the military" said the girl.
Friend of the rector's?" demanded
Wyllson.
yes" answered the girl
''Then he'll be one of the internal volun-
teer officers who are taking part in the
show. Confound the old chaps cheek