Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-12-11

s--..~<~->....-~>- ->-~i ii n
As we turned into the same room
where l had had so narrow an escape
but few months before, familiar
voice cried out: How de do Captain
aazeltine,-and l turned with a start
TO see the officer called Majoribanks,
who had been so muddled on that mem
orable day. He toolss the passes as a
matter of course, and as he read said:
You look i'll, captain; somewhat
thinner than when l saw yor-" Then
mis- eye caught what he was reading,
and he stopped. Mistress Deborah
Philipse, he read aloud, and Captain
Merton! What is this, sir?"
was on the point of replying when
pebby pluclled him by the sleeve and
made sign with her head to signify
that he was to send the picket out of
the room. He seemed TO understand;
and when we We're alone she spoke
before l could get in word.
Captain Hazeitine goes frequently
under assumed names, sir, by special
orders.
Oh" said the officer, somewhat
doubtfully, still lingering the papers.
Then bethought me, and took out the
pass given me by the commander-in-
chief.
Here's the old one captain, If 1t be
of any use to you.
Quite right captain! Quite right.
pardon my hesitation. But to be frank
With you, several men escaped-prison-
efs, You understandable a day or two
ago on stolen passports, and l had
fepllnand from General Patterson that
Will last me for good long life to
come"
And SO we hurried forth and north
ward.
"Debby," said /, shortly. "Debby.
upon my soul you have fifty times the
wit that l have"
1T does not need for you to tell me
that, sir" said she. another instant
and you would have said: Sir officer,
am Merton Balfort, American. fight
ing against his majesty the king!
Hang me If you like, but remember
nor yet spy of that great monarch. ="
Your pardon, Mistress his majesty
the king?'"
"Ah, dear sir" said she, bowling low
in her saddle. "'T is my first lesson,
Ell? Pardon me. 1 should have said
that disselute monarch-er-man,
George the Third"
Will you draw your horse up and per
init me to kiss your ladyship?"
No, sir, will not ] do not think l
should allow 1T In any case just now,
but certainly not upon the highway.
And L wish you to understand, Merton
Balfort that am not yet 81 rebel-er--
that is, that George the Third Is still
the king.
Yes, Mistress Balfort"
Up came her face towards me at the
mention of her new name, and leaning
over her horse she put her hand in
mine, and said not word as we rode
along.
y am too happy to stand It, Debby."
said I, presently.
she. If I knew how we were to live in
the future"
IF YOU think of that SO seriously,
why is it that all day you have been
chuckling to yourself?"
oh, never mind! l have certain
thoughts, and-certain knowledge
Of my own"
Tell me-
Not for the world"
Tell me this instant! am your hus-
band"
"sakes! You begin so soon, do you?
Very well, then listen to this: will
tell you not one single word! Now
what doth thy noble husbandness say
to that?'
II say t is outrageous and unwifely!
But let 1T lie: for here we are come to
the house where we may stay FOR the
night. and that ends it,
1t was the home of man whom
Anterior had hidden US to by note,
saying that we would get good food
and lodging, and no questions asked.
And, indeed, we We're in sore need of
rest and comfort. | had urged push
Ing on thus far that we might clear the
foul neutral country ahead of us the
next day While daylight held, and make
the camp at Nerplancks by the next
night. But, good ho.sewoman as Debby
was, She was nigh done for, and was
more than willing 10 retire as soon as
she had eaten.
j Early in The morning we We're again
off, and. still noting that my fair com
panion had something on her mind, L
was f1arvelins what it might be, when
the lay of the Land along the road be-
gan to look familiar and / recognized
ahead of us the old tavern kept by
Gowan as 1T lay hiding itself under the
hlll. turned quickly to Debby and
found her smiling .nysteriously at me
You know the Spot2" Is asked
Quite Well" said She. and have a
mind TO stop, ana visit Master Gowan."
Not w amy meansl" said ], decided
" The place may be the house of our
wedding, but just now tbs no place for
you"
'Aad yet ! would stop there while,
and-will," What II world of vigor
was there in that last small word.
urged, communications tried force
but to no purpose. In we must go
SO, dis.nountins. | called for a hand TO
take our horses, and In we went a sec
ona time 10 the dina old tavern.
Never snail / forget the little chucklc
behind me as | stopped suddenly on the