The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-02-19

talking OF her and her errand. Realiz-
| ing the need Of increased caution, Mag
gle passed on, and soon stopped at sew
eral houses, where she easily disposed
of portion of her burden. Declining
to part with them all, for each pur-
chaser desired TO gain the contents OF
the basket, she pushed on until she en-
tered the street where Mistress Jones
lived No one was in sight and she ran
| quickly up the steps and lifted the
heavy knocker.
She had hardly given the summons,
when she saw n red-coated soldier APP
pear on the corner of the street, and
stop and gaze curiously at her as she
stood before the door. She was In n
flutter Of excitement when the servant
admitted her, and she said:
81 would see Mistress Jones. have
some eggs for sale, and perhaps she
will buy"
Doubtless she will that" replied the
maid, "but it will not be necessary for
you TO see her. / can pay YOU" and
she started from the hall rs il TO get
her money.
"Nay, nay" said Maggie. quickly, 81
would deal with Mistress Jones her
self"
The servant made no response as she
turned 20 seek the mistress, and in a
few minutes Mrs. Jones herself APP
peared.
"Was il TO me you desired TO speak?"
Eyes, / have fresh eggs to sell"
"You are sure they are fresh?"
"They are that, fresh and prime,
too"
Mistress Jones looked keenly at Mag
| gle as she heard the combination of
words which was well understood by
her, and she quickly replied: "You have
brought your wares 10 the right mar
ket, see" She then took the basket
from Maggie's hand. and in few mo-
ments returned with a loaf of bread.
She did not inform her that within the
| loaf there was n note concealed, but
| Maggie understood. II was all as she
had been informed II would be.
"lf you lose the bread. or find il ne
cessary 20 destroy II, you may simply
say to your friend: Not yet Do you
understand"
81 do" replied Maggie, quietly, as she
! again took her basket and prepared TO
depart The door was quickly closed
7 behind her, and she fingered moment
on the steps before she went down TO
! the street. She could see no one now,
and the curious soldier had disap-
pcared; but Maggie's fear was none the
less when she started up the street, for
she knew not who was watching her,
and the words of the guard still lin
gered I'm her mind.
As she approached the edge OF the
city she was alarmed when she saw tho
same six men there whom she had met
at her entrance; but, striving 10 quiet
her heart. and not reveal the fear un-
der which she labored, she walked
steadily on.
Here's my wench again. laughed
one OF the soldiers as she drew near.
"And what luckP"
81 sold my eggs"
"Doubtless. And was Mistress Jones
a purchaser"
81 know not Mistress jones'" replied
Maggie, endeavoring to pass on.
"'Tis well for you, my wench. And
what have you IN the basket now2 A
bread loaf as livcl IT'S the very thing
/ most desire" And the soldier rough
liz grasped the basket and seized the
loaf which IL contained.
"Thc bread would give my little sis
ter who is ill.," said Maggie, with trem-
bling voice. 81 pray you TO take it not
from me-
Her evident distress moved the sol
der, and one Of them roughly said TO
the man who had taken her bread; Let
the wench 60, Jack. A bread loaf would
hardly satisfy us to-day. IT'S Tall
madge's head crave. Give her the bas-
kct and let the poor girl 60"
With q laugh the soldier returned the
basket and the bread, little dreaming
OF their contents, and Maggie sped on,
not even turning her head to see II she
were pursued. Perhaps II she had
looked back the sight would not have
comforied her, for the six men were
standing together, and the frequent
Chances they east AT the departing girl
showed that they were talking OF her.
But, al unconscious OF what was go
ing on behind her. Maggie kept on her
way and when once she was on the
country road she broke into a run, all
unwearicd by her long journey. She
had Information OF Importance. and the
thoughts Of her father and brother in
Valley Forge. and the little sister at
home, gave her renewed strength.
She was almost breathless when az