The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-14
CHAPTER XIV. The Idea of Mistress Debby.

UG IQGd Ot mfoAICoS OCubIs
 Well, madam, you seem greatly pleased with yourself" said I week later. as we rode two staunch beasts northward towards Tarrytown.
 Thank you, sir, I am quite at my ease. I trust that your highness Is pleased with me-" and Debby looked across at me with a species of self-contained smile from under the hood, or cap, or what ever the thing she wore was called. It was this self-same smile which l had noted throughout the day and which seemed to conceal something, that made me put the query
 Madam" said l. 'I have the honor to love your ladyship, and it would be dif- ficult for you to displease me at the mo- ment."
 Do not be so sure. Monsieur Merton You have a very bad temper, as I-'
 "Oh have I?'
 Yes, now that I think of it. you have frequently treated me atrociously."
 When, if 1t please your"
 Well, once on a time when certain wayward maiden"
 "Wayward maidenl I should think so-'' When a certain wayward maiden asked a churlish horseman to help her from her broken coach, and he started to ride away"
 1 you thenl"
 There is no question of that just now" "Well?"
 Again, when some one, being but a weak and shy girl"
 God save the mark Good again. Weak and fddlesticks!"
 When a very shy maiden objected to having a highwayman climb in at her chamber window
 Not at alll' said l. for that was still a sore point Not at alli" TT was the hall window, in the first place; and. furthermore, I would have you to know, Debby, that you might have recognized an honest man, and believed, too. that 1 would never have intruded myself upon you had 1t not been for your own good" If I mistake not" said she, with a sweet and innocent smile, some great lord said but a moment ago that he had no temper and could not be irritated by"
 T said Just so," I persisted, in truth a bit disturbed by the innocent demeanor l knew now so well. But it is not fair to throw such things in my face!'
 She doubled up in the saddle and laughed merrily for a moment, and then looking up at me, she said:
 Merton. dear, if you could but look at that great serious face of yours once in the while, you would certainly die of laughing"
 My face, Mistress Deborah. Is no doubt"
 But she turned her horse suddenly to- wards me and put her little gloved hand over my mouth.
 You stupidi Never tell me I cannot anger you! Dost not know sir, that l shall have to spend all the time you have of Int lyI nf sense of humour2 Why, Merton, my friend, l could make you so mad in two seconds that you would jump up and down and kick the furniture, and doubt less draw that huge sword of yours and brandish 1t over my head"
 Come here, madam, and will chastise your disreputable mouth now" and I turned towards her. But she sent her nag kiting ahead at a gallop, and started hot in pursuit-angry, pleased, and above all so happy with her for my companion that I forgot all else-forgot our present position, until I saw a Brit ish soldier step into the road ahead of us and call her to halt. I was by her side in an instant; and giving my passes to the picket, followed him into the guard house of the Tarrytown outpost. AS we turned into the same room where l had had so narrow an escape but a few months before, a familiar voice cried out: How de do, Captain Hazel tine'-and l turned with start to see the officer called Majoribanks, who had been so muddled on that memorable day. He took the passes as a matter of course and as he read said
 You look i'll, Captain; somewhat thinner than when I saw you" Then his eye caught what he was reading, and he stopped Mistress Deborah Phil ipse," he read aloud, and Captain Mer- toni What is this, sir?'
 was on the point of replying when Debby plucked him by the sleeve and made a sign with her head to signify that he was to send the picket out of the room. He seemed to understand; and when we were alone she spoke before could get in a word.
 Captain Hazeltine goes frequently un- der assumed names. sir, by special or ders.'
 "Oh," said the officer, somewhat doubtfully, still lingering the papers.