The National tribune., 1899-04-20

cake IL all be dough. Don't git too uppish
with me, young lady. Gil me that plate
and let me take 1t in"
The cakes on the griddles burned, while
Maria watched through the door, what she
mentally described as the "arts and
manuyers O. that sassy little piece" She
| was gratified to see that Shorty's eyes kept
glancing at the door for her own reappear-
| ance, She carried in the next plate of cakes
herself, and though they were little
scorched, Shorty ate them with more zest
| than any of their predecessors.
81 announced as he showed back from the
table,
Well, we've got to 90 right off. We must
ketch that accommodation and git back to
Bean Blossom Crick. l want to say goOd-by
to the folks, and then strike out for Jefferson
vile. Pve reported that I'm able for dooty
agin, and there's orders at home for me and
shorty to go to Jacksonville, and git gang
o. recruits that's bin gethered there, and
bring 'em to the rijimint."
Shorty had been in hopes that 81 would
daily for n day or so in these pleasant
pastures but then he reflected that where
Annabel was was likely to be much more
attractive to 81 than where she was not.
" No need o. my goin' back with you," he
ventured to suggest, speaking for the first
time. 81 might take the train goin' east,
and git things in shape at Jacksonville by
the time you come"
Then his face grew hot with the thought
that every one saw through his transparent
scheme to get an hour or two more with
Maria.
NO" said ST. decisively you'll go
back with me. Father and mother and
Mandy are all anxious to see you, and
they'll never forgive me if don't bring you
back with me. Les start"
If, at parting, Shorty had mustered up
courage enough to look Maria squarely in
the eyes, he might have read something there
to encourage him, but no odeeply-smitten man
ever can do this There is where the "light
o. loves" have the great advantage. He
could only grip her hand convulsively for
an instant and then turn and follow 81.
At the Deacon's home Shorty found the
same quiet, warm welcome, with too much
tact on the part of anyone except little
Sammy Woggles to make any comment on
tire circumstances Of his disappearance
Sammy was clearly of the opinion that ST
had run down Shorty and brought him back,
and this had the beneficial effect of dampen-
ing Sammvs runaway schemes He was
stiSO iliICuStNt at III HUO
ing him the rebel gun, and thought that his
being brought back was righteous retribu-
ton
"Served you right, you black-hearted
promise-breaker," he hissed at Shorty, when
they found themselves momentarily alone.
g / writ you that letter, and it nearly killed
me-brung me down with the measles and
you never sent me that gun. But I'll foller
yer trail till you do"
Don't be little fool, Sammy. You stay
right here. You've got the best home in the
world here. If you do I'll send you your
gun inside Of 4 month, with some real rebel
cartridges and bayonet that's killed a man,
and a catridge-boX, with a belt, that You kin
carry your ammunition in-that is, if you'll
write me another letter, all about Maria"
II won't write YOU word about Maria"
said the youth, seeing his advantage, SON
less you promise to send ME a whole lot o
catridges-a hatfull. Powder and lead costs
a heap o. money. And so do caps"
''You shall have 'em. I'll tell you what
Pll do III send you cartridge and cap for
every word you write about Maria"
It's a 60" said the delighted boy. "Pm
goin' to learn sOmeway to write without bitin'
my tongue, an I'll write you as many words
every day as | want cartridges to shoot off,
so that pll have enough for the next Fourth
o. July, and kill all old Pete Walkers snap
PIN dogs besides"
The boys were to leave on the midnight
train. The bigger part of Sis leave-taking
seemed to be outside of his family, for
he quit the house Immediately after supper
and did not leave Annabel's side until he
had Just barely time to get back home, take
leave Of his weeping mother, and help store
in the spring wagon more than he and Shorty
could carry of the good things she had pro-
vided for them.
What's this?" said 81 to Shorty the