Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-05-11
"oh. no. Aunt Mary! Behold nv BODY

ooh, no, Aunt Mary! Behold my body
guard" she answered, merrily. turning in
her saddle and pointing off down the road
to the struggling line of men.
"Have done with your nonsense! Where
is Timothy or Harvey or even little Jo-
seph? I know my sister never sent you
over here alone these times!'
-Springing lightly to the ground, De-
light exchanged embraces with her aunt
and explained the matter to her satieAsac-
ton.
II heard that you were feeding the
whole world as it passed by, and | was
minded to come and see you do it. | have
a good will to help you, too, Aunt Mary.
So please ask old Pierre to put Feather
foot safely away in the barn where none
of these envious soldiery can get at her,
and I'll make some sandwiches"
Well pleased with this frank statement
of the girls intentions, Mistress Mary
tied her own gingham apron around her
slim waist and let her do whatever she
would. And thus it was that the men
found the pretty equestrienne who had
distanced them so splendidly on the road
ready to pour out cooling draughts for
their thirsty drinking and to add to the
grateful gift the charm of her witchlng
smile and cheering words. Her opportu-
nifty with each was but brief, for even
the pleasure of woman's society was of
small account in comparison with the
stern errand on which they were bent.
After eating in haste and snatching but
the briefest rest if any at all, under the
great. branching elms bordering the farm,
thew left behind their heartfelt thanks for
their refreshing.
All day Delight was busy. Toward
night there came a lull, and she sat be-
side her Cousin Kate and heard and told
much that had been happening in both
their homes In listening to her story or
the tragedy of Lexington Green, they for
got their fatigue, and were fired to new
zeal in the cause of liberty.
The next day was an extremely busy
one. There seemed no minute in which
some one was not in need of their minis
try. Delight worked untiringly. About
noon she came to her aunt, saying:
''Aunt Mary there's peddler com
eyes, child, 1 see him." interrupted her
hurrying aunt "Run, tell him we can't
possibly look at his wares, much less buy
them, will your
eyes, aunt" replied Delight, demurely.
After some time she returned.
s'The poor fellow has hurt his foot.
asked old Pierre to take him out to the
barn and try to ease it. I'll go presently
and carry him something to eat"
And I'll see that he gets off soon af-
ter declared Mistress Draper, with de-
cision. "More than likely, he's vaga-
bond. Why isn't he carrying musket
instead of pack, if he's an honest man,
these days? / like not the looks of it.
Never let your kind heart run away with
your good common sense, niece Delight.
I'm willing enough he should have his
dinner, whoever he is, but after that, I'll
have no idlers lettering about, I'll promise
you that. Peddler indeedH'
Delight did not tell her that her mother
had been glad to take advantage of a
chance which might not soon occur again,
and had supplied the family with numer-
GUS small, necessary articles. Once she
would have done so unhesltatlngly, Our
this last winter had taught her the expe-
diency of silence at times. Neither did
she let her aunt know just when she took
the loaded tray out to the clean, sweet
smelling corn barn. A little diplomacy,
in which she was fast becoming an adept,
was needed for the accomplishment Of
s.
rupted half hour with the peddler, she
placed the tray on an upturned bushei
measure beside him and so seated herself
that she commanded a full view Of the
house and yard. Satisfied that they were
safely alone, Archibald McPheadris, in
the guise of Tony, the peddler, arose
alertly from his reclining position and sat
close beside Delight He drew her head
to his shoulder and kissed her tenderly
more than once. For a few minutes she
INDUCED him, yielding to pleasure she
herself found very sweet; then she sprang
away from him.
'"There will be time enough later on,
Archie dear. You must eat now so that il
Aunt Mary should happen to come out
here suddenly, she will not see your meal
untouched. And we have many things to
talk ONO, sir, not another one shall you
have. 1t may put off for a long while
the time when you can have another!'
She stood with appraised hand, as II to
ward him off. Her resolute expression
charmed while it challenged him.
YOU'D make fine commander-in-chief,
on my soul, sweetheart, he cried; land
had you stood in Pitcairn's shoes, the pro-
vincials would never have driven his men
away
She blushed prettily at his praise. The
next minute she had thrown herself down
beside him.
ITO be continued.I