The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-06-01
CHAPTER III.
In Which 1t Appears That There Is
More Than One Reason For
Matrimony.

More Than One Reason For
Matrimony.
I was unable to do aught. In truth l
could not move, and so 1 sat there like
sick fool never stirring, except once to
look up at my companion, and fnd her
! looking at me steadfastly; but could
| not say a word And yet l could see
the men who had returned growing more
| and more confident. as those who mad
carried the wounded officer away talked
| In low tones to the others. But the min
utes gave me my wind and brought back
some of my nerve, and then they came
on with set faces.
stood up and grasped my pistols but
in that moment the girl stepped forward
with her head up and as proud an air
as ever chicken had against male coach.
What do you wish?' she asked quiet
| ly.
We want that man! He has killed one
of us, and"
"one Of you, you clowns?" 1 cried.
taking her by the shoulder and setting
her aside He is no more of you than
ami"
"Who are We, them" cried the spokes-
man. And what do We here? We do not
! like the look of we, and ye shall go
no further till We settle with us and tell
us who We may be-
1t was no drunken crew that spoke
now, and l knew 1t. They had made up
their minds and l was too weak to try
to cope with four men. They seemed
to be natives hereabouts, and ! must
take my chances of their being Colonials
by sentiment as well as birth. rhere
was naught else to do.
II am an American soldier" 1 said,
travelling north alone and you have
no more to do with me than with the
river outside the door
II knew it," cried the man, and the
others began to surround US. Eye rebel
bastard, we've struck the wrong gang!
Travelling alone. Ell? And what is this
baggage here with YEP
"She?" said l, stumped again. why,
She
II am his sweetheart" said the girl,
stepping before me again. Then she
| went on In an earnest way that finally
became plaintive: I'VE have run away
to be married. Will you not help us to
make merry? We've but just escaped
| from New York Indeed, we have! You
can see our coach broken down in the
road not a hundred yards from here
you can indeed, sirs!'
| Her breath was coming fast, but she
went on with excited earnestness that
| caught the men: Our coach boys will
| be here shortly with the horses. You can
see the coach If you will but go down the
| road. He does not tell the truth He
is no REBEL t is not so, good sirs! VIII
| you not drink bumper to the King and
| to our honeymoon
l could not say word. I could do
nought but stare open mouthed at her.
| for with the skill of intuition she had hit
| the one point-would they not drink a
bumper to us-would they? The one
thing to win them over! Then I caught
her arm! What was he doing? Twas a
foolish and a futile plan.
See, sirs you see he tries to make me
deny 1t! But l will not. You would not
injure a good soldier of his majesty,
would you? And you will drink to our
health and happiness. Mr.. Landlord, will
| you not fill us up mugs of ale to drink
| the toast?'' And she stepped back and
| took my arm with hand that shook like
leaf, though her eyes never wavered
| from the men she addressed.
by God, TITS a brave wench" cried
one of the men. And a health it shall
| bel"
stay! said another, a huge clout,
| who was no more Britisher than l.
II do not believe it! He called our
friend in there British spy. Dost know
| that ?"
But I say she shall have the health
cried the other. Jack Purdy We have no
| soul In We! Can ye not see the girl tells
| the TRUTH"
Aye, look at him. said third he's
shame-faced bridegroom
| We'll do it in shape" said the first
| Here you, Gowan"-to this landlord
tell Jim Marvin to come in here. Now.
mistress to you and your happinessr
TO you'' chorused the crowd And we
| TWO stood there the shaking arm in
mine, the brave eyes smiling forced
smile, but looking the men in the face.
as she raised the filthy pewter to her
| lips and touched the ale. The devil him
sell could not make me drink, till l be-
thought me of another toast, and turn
ing to her drained the cup without a
word.
The sombre individual who 1t appeared
| was Marvin, now entered; and | watched
them confer with him. A laugh broke
from his tipsy lips, and he muttered;
| fwould be a good close. Here am l
! saving one mans life, and now paving
the way for the making of others" And
still We two stood there. awaiting neith-
er looking or speaking TO the other.
so il shall be"' cried the big one In
a moment, and instinctively l clutched a
the fireplace near us.
You say we've just run away to be
married, do you|' asked the man.
She nodded.
Very well, then. well have the GER
emony here and now Here's Marvin. 9
good at marrying as at curing dead
men. and we'll have the ceremony and
celebrate wedding this night. damned if
we don't, en- boys?" Another chorus of
assents greeted this, but l found INV
tongue at last.
That You shall not" said l firmly.
Then string him up for rebel and
We'll take good care of the girlr' cried
one. broke away from my companion
and levelled two muzzles at the nearest
fellow.
The first to move is dead" said I.
| hopeless though l knew 1t was
| Tut, man. We'll punch you full of
holes If you talk like that" said Marvin
smiling with the issuance of five to one
And them why should you not Join us
What harm to be married now. If vo,,
have run away to be? And will Won
have all the fun to yourself? Nav. nav
he went on in his nasal tone You've
broken up our evening now and ven
break We own neck or help us to finish
1t in our own way. Gowan. Hey. Cow
an Where is the man? Here" he add-
ed, as the tavern keeper stuck his nose
through the door. bring us a Bible
The door swung wide OPEN
"A Bible! cried the astounded man.
Aye, Bible
And what thinks We l would he doi,a
with Bible?''