The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1901-01-18


coarse, she detected the figure of
gentleman beneath the garh. His
step and bearing told that he was a
soldier, and his speech was not that
of a cOuntryman. His voice was soft
and gentle, and lie made her obeisance
as he saluted.
And good morning tn you," she re-
piled in return, as she resumed her
walk.
"And l may suppose that you live
not far away" qulred the stranger, as
he kept step with her, and struck at
the wayside bushes with the switch
in his hand.
Two miles below, sir"
And thy father-is he kings
mani"
Indeed, no, else Washington would
not have dined with US a month ago.
THIS is no road for the kings men to
travel"
II fear me, little maid" he said,
after light laugh, that l should
lind thee little rebel, II knew thee
better"
II am one, sir, as is everyone about
here, except the Smiths. "TiS shame
that Tories should be allowed to live
on among u.s."
But these are the kings posses
sions, and those that remain loyal to
their king should not be objects of
contempt and malice, though were |
a kings man, l might forgive thee on
account Of thy sex, 1t is not for wo
men-much less for young maidens-
to talk of politics and war"
But l thought you might be a
kings man." she said, as she looked
him squarely in the eyes.
He laughed and flushed, and it was
a full minute before he replied:
Leave war for men, little maid. |
should guess thine age to be about
seventeen and"
sixteen, SIR"
II stand corrected, but let me finish.
Chestnut hair, hazel eyes, Grecian
nose, perfect teeth, trim figure, small
feet and charming frankness, There
is great promise here, and yet alack.
few years hence will see thee wife Of
a poor toiler among these hills for his
daily bread"
He had not spoken with imperti-
nence, but the cheeks of the maiden
redeemed, and he saw that she was
angry. They walked on for few rods
in silence. and then he halted and un-
covered his head, and making a low
bow, he said: Z
II have hurt thee and | beg forgive
ness. Let us talk of other things. Is
the road clear of pckets and patros?"
II believe it is" she answered, mol
lifted by his words, "but IL you are one
of us, you need fear no danger"
"Didst not tell thee to leave war
to men?" he asked, with laugh.
A few minutes later they came to
J where the road branched and as the
girl halted, she said:
II 70 this way to my home and you
20 that way to Tarrytown. Sir, l bid
you good day."
| but not without a clasp of the
hand" he replied, as he extended his
and doffed his hat. "YOu have made
the walk pleasant for me. thank
you and wish you happiness. Should
we meet again."
| He did not finish. A cloud came to
his face. he looked apprelensively
around. and then forcing u smile, he
made grand bow and went his way
down the river road.
"Who can he be?" mused the girl, as
she stood and watched him. He is
surely a soldier and a gentleman, but
| he Is not one OF us. Are British spies
men OF gentle speech and courtly man
ners9 He must have had business
with the Tory Smith, but surely ht
can be no spy"
When she reached home she had
much to say to her mother OF the
stranger that had walked with her on
the highway, but she had spoken very
few, words when the mother inter.
rupted:
III the man Is a patriot what was
> he doing at the house OF Tory?
: Girl, run and tell your father and Van
Vert and Williams. They will have
time to intercept him on the river
road"
Half an hour later the girl appeared
at the big tree on thee roads and
told her story.
"It isn't likely that a British spy
would be walking the highways in
broad daylight" responded the father,
"but II he be stranger to these parts
let US overhaQhhim. he be an hon.
est man 1t will do him no harm.
Come, girl, you may 70 with US and
return by the road"
The stranger had dallied by the
wayslde dllsr tAglrl had parted fron
him. 1t was 1 1I6k 6kIUup morning, ans
the squirrels were saiherIng thei
breakfast from the hazf bushes an,