The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-03-24
made him the object of the lady's attsn-

made him the object of the lady's attsn-
ion.
Lie still, subj" she said, low and
sternly. "You have broken mob glass
now, sub, than youh captain can re-
place. Lie still whuh you are until my
suhvants lift you out-IIenry!" she
called.
"Ye-assum," was the answer, rs one
of the negroes came reluctantly for
ward, humbly twirling a battered hat
in his hands.
$50 fetch your barrow"
Indeed, Mrs. Walton" interposcd
Lambert, you need not trouble your
self The guard shall carry these two
scoundrels to camp, and prison life at
Ship island or Tortugas will put stop
10 their prowling. Ii is on your ac-
count l am distressed. We have no
surgeon at hand; Il will send at once for
a doctor in town"
She raised Il slender white hand, re-
linquishing her grasp upon the cane,
which now went gathering upon the
gravel Of the walk. 1t was a sign to
check him. and respectfully he broke
off in his hurried words. Then again
she turned to the negro, who stood with
twitching face, irresolute, beside her.
did you hear me- Henry? Co"
Again Riggs began to groan and
stretch forth feeble hands. Burns
looked appealingly to his young officer,
then as appealingly to the lady. Clear
| ", she was mistress of the situation.
Lambert had quickly stopped and
| picked up the cane, but she did not
see, apparently, that he wished to re-
store it to her. In the light of the lam
terms the mark of Riggs clutch was
plainly visible at her white and rounded
| throat.
1.-TWO of you lift this fellow" said
! Burns to the corporal; and between
them Riggs was heaved to his sprawl
| ing feet. Get him over to camp now
and battle his head. Put a bayonet
through him if he tries to bolt. I'll be
there presently"
And of Riggs, her assailant, and of
| Riggs removal under guard, the lady
of the Walton homestead took no note
whatever. Rebuffed, yet sympathetic,
Lambert again essayed to speak, but
the rattle of the barrow was heard and
Henry once more doomed up within the
zone of lantern light.
Lift that-puhson-out," she said.
| And when Burns would have lent
helping hand she interposed: NO, l
beg you. My suhvants will attend to
this" And neither Lambert nor his
sergeant made further effort. Murphy,
| ba IF A
bed, abiect and crestfallen, scratched
and bruised and bleeding, yet neither
so deadened by drink nor so stunned
by the rain of blows which he had suf
fered as not to appreciate the humilia-
ton of his position, was squatted in the
barrow. At an imperious gesture from
Nine. Walton Henry started to wheel
him away, the corporal of the guard
in close attendance.
And then, with calm dignity and re-
covered breath, the lady turned TO the
boy officer:
81 have not thanked you yet"
ooh, Mrs. Walton, beg you not to
speak of thanks. If you knew how
how ashamed / am, and that my regi-
ment will be-that any of our men
could have dared" The very intensity
of the young fellows Indignation
choked him and gave her the floor.
"Once before this they came, and
then / warned. This time, having no
men to call up" negroes, it seems,
could not be counted as such), II was
compelled myself to chastise. May
ask the safe return of our barrow-it is
the only vehicle the war has left US
and that we may now be permitted to
retire." And she swept a stately cour-
tesy.
But, madam" began Lambert, ut
terly chagrined at the attitude of cold
and determined avoidance in which she
persisted, "you have been brutally
handled; 1 insist on sending for our
contract doctor; it is the best we can
offer tonight"
Neither tonight, nor at any other
time, would his suhvices be acceptable,
sub. / need no doctoh. We learned
we had to learn-how to do without
luXuries of every kind during the war;
and DR.. Hand think that is the name
of the physician you refer to-would
be too much of a luxury at any time.
/ regret that your men should need his
suhvices, but they brought it on them
selves"
"They will need him more before
the captain gets through with 'em,
ma'am," said Sergt. Burns, seeing that
his young superior was at loss what
to say. AS he spoke, the tall, dark
haired girl once more appeared, and
swiftly, noiselessly stepped TO her
mothers side. "There'd be no need
Of court-martial or of your having to
testify, if Capt. Close could settle this
or let us do it."
Mother, come in-please do-and let
these gentlemen 60" said the girl. en-
deed, we are very much obliged to you,"
she continued addressing Lambert,
"for coming so quickly. That one, who
seemed intoxicated, might have killed
mother, who is far from strong. They
} had opened the cellar door, you see"
And she pointed to where the broad
wooden leaf had been turned back, leav-
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