Daily camera., 1897-01-25

but await the captains return, and
nine O'Clock came without him. Lam
bert had determined to investigate the
butter market, however, and time was
not hanging heavily upon his hands
by any means. Throwing a light-bue
overcoat, such as was worn by the rank
and file, over his uniform, he sailed
forth Just after nine O'Clock, and made
his way around the camp until he
the road, and followed it to
the gap among the rose-bushes whence
had rolled the tin pail on the previous
night. All was dark and still. Set
ting the pail just within the hedge,
. he patiently waited. Presently voices
feminine voices-became family audi
BILE. "Elinor" had evidently been pushed
forward en- reconnaissance, and, after
her recent nerve-racking experiences,
didn't like the detail.
- 81 tell yo' dey ain no one bout, Mis-
Katie. I done felt fur de pail, an 'tain't
day-h," was her protest. At this Lam
bert saw fit to give a low whistle. at
sound of which Elinor, with predigious
rustic of skirts, bolted back towards
after emphatic and scornful reference
to "bawn cowuds," came hurriedly for
ward, but paused at discreet distance
you're heh, ah you?' was the semi
Aassertive, semi-interrogative remark in
disdainful and truculent tone. 'Ah
hope, you've got that money at last"
For an answer Lambert reached in
and shook the pail The combination
of "shinplasters" and small coin within
gave a reassuring rattle. Eagerly the
girl bounded to the hedge. He could
Just discern the slender little form and
the tumbled head of hair as she dropped
the enfolding shawl and stopped to take
the prize-which the unprincipledy young
ian had by this time cautiously with
drawn. He could hear her eager breath
ing and the patter of her hands among
the rain-laden branches.
"Whuh on earth" (who on earth can
spell the word as real southern girl
says it?) "did you hide that pail? Alive
y no time fo' nawnsense."
Silence moment.
"Look hyuh, Mr.. Yankee! Ah'm not
,customed to being made a fool of,
q All want that money. Alive had to
!. wait too long already"
A sound as of something shaking in
a tin vessel, but further away, towards
a broader gap in the dark hedge.
"Ah'm not going up thhh. Ah told you
twice befoh. You bring that pail back
I hyuh" Indignantly. Ah don't be-
4 lieve you've gawt the money at
ALL" tentatively. "If you had, no
I gentleman would keep me waiting
n when we need it so much" Symptoms
4 of vanishing nerve, and again tempt
ing rattle). "Ah can't go there" "(plead-
Singly now. please bring it hyuh, Mr..
1 Riggs. Brothuh Floyd would be fuyious
u if he knew" (pause) IAN we had such
Y awful trouble las night-all on ac-
count of some of your rascally-Oh!
l whut's that new lieutenant's name"'
sfEudden change of theme and tone).
His names Ike" was the response
, in hoarse whisper across the dripping
! rose bushes.
MI "Ah don't believe wuhd you say.
I'LL Whut's his real name?"
Gl "Ask MIR. Potts if his name isn't Ike;
4and come and get your money"
4 "Ah don't have a chance to ask MIR.
tPotts anything. They don't allow me
II in the pahlor when Mr.. Bahton Potts
S,Arnes. Ah'm too much of child to be
ffrusteG with family secrets, it seems;
I though Ahm not too young to find out
}how much we need money.-Whuh's S
itl.at ?"-suddeniy coming down to
business again.
Lambert gave it shake, this time
within reach of little hand that darted
in among the bushes and firmly closed
lupon his own.
= "You let go that pail!" was the i'm
Iperious demand from within.
krt 81 can't-till you let go my hand"
| tfrom without.
y "Ah don't want your hand. All
: want"
' II didn't offer it, but, since you like
it so much, here's the other" And
through the darkness another hand,
with soft warm palm and long, slender
fingers, closed in upon the hot little paw
straining and tugging at the original
Npcupant of the handle. Instantly, with
Indignant force, the EMBODIED member
was snatched away, and the STOPPING
girl sprang to her feet, wild-eyed and
alarmed.
''Wh' ah you?" she painted. That's
not Sergt. Riggs" A window was sud
denly raised back towards the house;
the mournful toot of tin horn began
"Quicll Alive got to go. Roll that pail
\ through. Why didn't Mr.. Riggs comeT'
II l"He's detained-on duty, but it's all
Knight Where's the buttermilk?"
4 Through the trees behind the girl
came Elnor at top speed; one could hear
4 iHe rustic rods away. 'F' Gawd's sake,
4 Mis- Katie, come quick. Mis- Walton's
rcallin'."
But Kate was fumbling for something
in her pocket and bending forward to
the hedge. The next instant, with brill
| liant fash, the glare of a parlor match