The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-12
CHAPTER XIV.


THE IDEA OF MISTRESS DEBBY.
well. madam, you seem greatly pleased
with yourself" said I. week later, as we
rode two staunch beasts northward to-
wards Tarrytown.
Thank you. sir. l am quite at my ease.
/ trust that your highness is pleased with
me-" and Debby looked across at me with
species of self-contained smile from under
the hood, or cap, or whatever the thing she
wore was called. 1t was this self-same
smile, which / had noted throughout the
day. and which seemed to conceal some
thing, that made me put the query.
Madam" said I, 81 have the honor to
love your ladyship. and il would be difficult
for you TO dsplease me at the moment"
do not be so sure Monsieur Merton! You
have very bad temper, as +"
'Oh. have To-
Yes, now that 1 think of it. you have
frequently treated me atrociously.'
when if it please you?'
We'll once on a time, when a certain
hayward maiden"
"wayward maiden! I should think So
when a certain hayward maiden asked
churlish horseman TO help her from her
broken coach, and he started TO ride
away
"Ah. but Debby dear. 1 did not know you
them
There is no question Of that just now
"Wen?"
Again. when some one. being but a weak
and shy girl
God save the mark! Good again! Weak
and fiddlesticks,'
when very shy maiden objected TO
having a highwayman climb in at her
chamber window"
Not at all!' said l, for that was still a
sore point Not at all! Twas the hail
window, IN the first place; and, further
more, 1 would have you to know. Debby,
that you might have recognized an honest
man, and believed, too. that l would never
have intruded myself upon you, had it lot
been for your own good
eff 1 mistake not" said she, with a sweet
voice and innocent smile, some great lord
said but moment ago that he had no tenn
per and could not be irritated by
81 said just so,' / persisted, in truth bit
disturbed by the innocent demeanOr knew
now so we'll But ii is not fair to throw
such things in my facet
She doubled up in the saddle and laughed
merrily for a moment; and then. looking 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.
ssYOrI Stilnidf Never foil mo / cannot
anger you. Dost not know. sir. that shall
| have TO spend all the time you have off
duty teaching you some kind of sense of
| humor? Why. Merton. my friend. 1 could
make YOU so mad in two seconds that you
would jump up and down and kick the fur
niture, and doubtless draw that huge sword
| of yours and brandish it over my head"
Come here. madam. and 1 will chastise
| your disrespectful mouth now" and
| turned towards her. But she sent her nag
| kiting ahead at galop, and 1 started hot
in pursuit-angry, pleased. and. above ALL
so happy with her for my companion that
| forgot all else-forgot our present posi-
| ton. until saw British soldier step into
the road ahead of us and call her to a halt.
was by her side i'm an instant; and. giving
| my passes TO the picket. followed him into
|
As we turned into the same room where
| I had had so narrow an escape but few
months before. a familiar voice cried out
| How de do. Captain Hazeltine'-and
turned with a start 10 see the officer called
| Majoribanks. who had been so muddled or
that memorable day. He took the passe.
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 ht
stopped Mistress Deborah Philipse." h,
read aloud. land Captain Merton. What i.
this. sir?'
was on the point of replying when Deb
by plucked him by the sleeve and made 2
sign with her head to signify that he was tC
send the picket out of the room. He seemed
10 understand: and when we were alone sh,
spoke before 1 could get in word.
Captain Hazeltine goes frequently under
assumed names. sir. by special orders"
oh" said the officer. somewhat doubt
| fully. still lingering the papers. Then he
thought me and took out the pass given m,
by the commander-in-chief.
Here's the old one. captain, if it be o
any use TO YOU
quite right, captain, Quite right, Par
don my hesitation. But. to be frank Will
you. several men escaped-prisoners, yo,
understandable a day or so ago on stolel
passports and l had a reprimsnd from
General Patterson that will last me for :
good long life TO come.
And so we hurried forth and northward
'Debby." said I. shortly. ''Debby upol
my soul you have fifty times the Wit that
have"
1t does not need for YOU 10 tell me that
sirr' said she Another instant and yol
would have said: Sir officer, / am Merton
Bslfort. American, fighting against hi
Majesty the King Hang me il you like
but remember that 1 Am mona Of your Brit