The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-06-30

not before" laughed the girl. by the
way, the author of that song is doing
some good in the ranks just now, and
Washington has made him a lieutenant
for bravery on the battlefield, and you
don't kill prisoners, i believe"
"Sir Henry Clinton might break the
rule in the bard's case,'' was the quick
rejoinder, and then Betty ran her fin
gers over the keys again and sang
love ditty which put her guest in the
hest of humor
The ballad ended, Betty Logan ex-
cused herself and left the parlor.
1T seems to me that she might be
tamed," passed through Capt. Lees
mind. "The girl is real jewel and
would make an excellent wife. So her
friend Capt. James is enjoying the
delicacies of prison fare. suppose tina:
she doesn't know that lam, in part, re-
sponsible for his change of fortunes;
but all's fair in love and war, and if |
do not fail Miss Betty may sing none
but loyal songs in the near future. /
wonder if that fellow attended prompt
ly to my horse?"
The British captain was on the eve
of rising when Betty again appeared in
the doorway and announced dinner.
She had made little change in her
toilet and looked prettier than ever,
and Capt. Lee, with an appetite sharp
ened by his ride from the city, to say
nothing of the wait in the parlor, rose
with alacrity.
The dining-room was tastefully
trimmed with flowers and evergreen,
the work of which Betty ascribed to her
maid, Polly, and Polly, blushing to the
tips of her fingers, as it seemed, ac-
knowledged the compliments with a
confused courtesy.
Betty poured the tea as she chatted
away and Polly was near by to see
that Capt. Lee as her mistress guest
wanted for nothing.
The table was spread with the deli
cacies of the season, which told Capt.
Lee that the young girls larder had not
suffered much, if any, through the war
At last the young officer pushed aside
his plate and leaned back in his chair.
Pm sorry | cannot offer you des-
sert as fine as you enjoy in the old-time
homes of New York." said the girl, apol-
ogetically. Truth to tell, Capt Lee,
we must put up with just what we can
get in the country in war times and"
"Of course, begging pardon, Miss
Betty" broke in the officer. "Your
dessert, ] am sure. will be delightful
as your dinner has been, and am dis
posed to praise it beforehand
At this moment Miss Betty Logan
waved her hand to Polly. who stood al
the door leading into the kitchen.
"Our guest is ready for the dessert,
Polly. You may bring it on"
deeper crimson came to the maids
cheeks as she caught the subtle mean
ing of the words SO artly spoken by
Betty and in another moment she left
the room, closing the door behind her.
Behold the dessert, Capt. Lee!" ex-
claimed Betty, when the door opened a
moment afterward, and the British of
ficer staggered from the chair as his
gaze fell upon three men dressed in
continental uniform, each of whom COW
cred him with. a pistol
whats this, miss?" he cried. "What
treachery is afoot under your roof?
cit is simply the fortunes of war,
Capt. Lee. You are prisoner subject
| to exchange for another prisoner of
equal rank These gentlemen consti-
tute the only dessert | have to offer,
with profuse apologies"
At first Capt. Lee thought of resist
ance, but sober second thought came
to the rescue and in little while he
was in the hands of the patriots.
"Your trick will fall short of its de-
sign, my little rebel" he exclaimed.
Capt James shall not be exchanged for
| Capt Lee promise you that
Betty made no reply and her late
guest was hustled from the premises
and escorted to the nearest American
camp where he was turned over to the
commander thereof.
Several weeks interviewed when one
evening young soldier rode up to the
Logan home and sprang lightly to the
ground.
| He was met at the steps of the trel-
Used porch by young girl whose eyes
sparkled above flushed cheeks.
"They tell me that owe my exchange
to you, Betty" he exclaimed. Capt.
Lee was very obstreperous at first, but
he gave in at last and here I am"
81 don't know whether Capt. Lee will
ever forgive me, but / didn't know of
better way to celebrate the Fourth of
July" was the reply. and the merry
laugh that followed told how happy was
the Eair Rebel of the Neutral Ground