The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-27

men who were watering their horses at
a wooden trough In front OF the shop,
strike out on that path"
The men darted away. leaving the cap
tain alone IN the road. A little old wom-
an came out OF "A house opposite and be-
gan 10 guy him In n cracked voice, pok-
ing fun at him for not being able 10
catch a party OF women. She talked so
Familiarity with him that / began to sus-
pect she knew him. l trembled for fear
she would betray US.
"You uns amt wo'th persimmon,
she said with them critters legs under
yer yer orter ketch wimmen folks easy.
wen catch 'em easy enough. They've
gone along thar" pointing 10 the path
his men were just dashing into.
"Th' didn't go that away"
"They didn't? Which way did they go7'
ID yer s'pose ] give fac's TO nothin?"
A cold chill ran down my back. She was
going TO tell for pay.
What do yo want?"
Gimme 'nuff TO a caliker dress. an I'll
put yer on tn right track"
SHOP
"Sartin."
This II git Il as easy" He drew a
revolver and put II to her face. She
drew back But this man. who was
above his calling, never could persist in
IN treat ting n woman, and, lowering his
weapon, he put his hand In his pocket
and pulled out bill.
That's the stuff ter git fac's with"
said the woman. Now. you uns git
right long thar" and she pointed up the
road northward.
THAT won't do" said the captain.
I'VE just came from UP thar"
There was a pause. at the end OF
which I heard the woman say in a low
tone:
"Captain!"
The voice was familiar saw the man
start, then exclaim, Great Cod"
The old woman went over 10 him and
taking hold of his bride rein, began 70
whisper 10 him earnestly Presently 1
heard the captain say:
Here, you," cried the captain to two
pointed to path leading across the road
westward.
1T can't do H."
There was more whispering, and by
the woman's attitude / knew she was
pleading. Was she pleading for us? II
so. who could this good friend be TO take
so much interest In us7
"Id do Il 10. yo' an yo' friend. but
not the other one"
She .umbled with the rein, she strok-
ed his horses neck. she laid her hand
on his, all the while talking earnestly
and looking up into his eyes. / fancied
besoechingly though l could not see her
face. for her back was toward mo, while
the mans head was dropping lower and
lower Her bonnet fell back on her neck.
and | knew the old woman was Jaque-
line.
''Can yo' refuse when I ask TT" she
said loud enough for me 10 hear.
The man was silent. The struggle with
In him was plain In every line OF his
face. At last he said:
"Fo yo' sake, little one. I'll do It."
She took his rough brown hand In her
fgtt har 1,x
upon It. then looking up through tears:
Il can give yo' only trine I'm reward.
captain, dear. Kiss me-
Bending from his saddle. he reverently
touched his lips 10 her forehead.
Lost In wonder at the strange sight,
/ was nevertheless congratulating myself
that she had secured the mans promise
TO draw off his force when tho whole ad-
vantage was spoiled through the insane
jealousy OF Captain Beaumont 1t seems
that the captain had disdained TO hide
with the rest. Indeed he had no occa-
sion 10 hide. The guerrillas did not
know that no was with our party and ne
was in no more danger from them than
any other man would be. He had how
ever, yielded to Jacks persuasion TO go
into a house and keep out OF sight. When
the guerrillas rode into town, he was
sitting by a window slipping a glass OF
Tennessee whisky. and at the moment
Ringold imprinted the kiss on Jacks
forehead. as Ill luck would have II. he
happened to look out OF the window In
another moment he was in the road dis
charging his revolver at the guerrilla,
who, drawing his own weapon, returned
the fire. fusilade followed. Rim
gold receiving n wound that put him hors
de combat. Swaying In his saddle he fell
fainting 10 the ground
Jaqueline turned upon Beaumont like a
fttrN I To In,
towering passion. but never anything
like this. Her face was livid, her eyes
flaming. She tried to speak. but her Ire
choked her. At last one word expressive
OF her pent up feelings came out Ike a
pistol shot:
"Pigl"
Having thus relieved herself to Cap
tain Beaumont, she turned TO the pros
trate Ringold, knelt beside him, Groom
ing over him as II he had been dearer TO
her than all the world beside