The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-08-29


What was it man? What was it,"
""T is strange, now" he muttered.
putting his hand to his head, IT heard
that son of hell read it but a few hours
since, ~
Think, man, Think" said I, roughly.
Yes, yes" cried he, looking up at
me. 1T was an order from the Com
Observation-Disclosures Lieutenant Bal
fort to report at headquarters at once
-aye-at Tappan. Could We, could We
give me a drink of water, sir?"
Turning to get the drink for him, I
saw that Mistress Philipse had heard
his message, and I would have given
much to read her thoughts then.
We'll done, my man! Come, let me
take you in here" and we carried him
into the front room, and laid him on a
sofa, and gave him his fill of water.
Then, while he. lay quiet, I turned to
her. a
will you come to hreakfast?"
said she, with just a shade of en-
barassment in her tone, and Of red on
her cheek. r, 10y. r..
Mistress said T, had you aught to
do with the attempt to rescue Andrea
Nay, t is an unfair question:" I added,
hurriedly, for there came a sudden
change in her eyes. II will ask another,
instead. You heard this mans tale.
Will-will others know of the mes
sage?" %35 =" r-
Does the lion eat the mouse which
gnawed his bands in twain?" she
asked. 4N,
1T depends, upon how hungry the
lion is ' g..
After breakfast the lion would not
be so hungry"
Then, it depends, too, on whether
the lion is a chivalrous lion.'
DO you think she is?" she asked,
slowly, looking out across the street.
/ o her hand and kissed it gently,
and said: D ~
II think she Is. But I cannot stop for
breakfast must be gone at once
and we moved out to the door. What
am I to do with you?" =
She looked up without the shadow
of a smile.
You might sell me-or, perhaps
some man would be willing to hire
Madam, you jest upon a serious
topic" -. :
your duty bids you stay with me-
said she, seriously now.
"You know I cannot
us, then, Mr.. Washington so much
more important than your-than I?"4
"'Tis an unjust query. I must obey
him"
"You promised to obey me until
uedlH SHoulu US part .- r
Was she making sport Of me again?
Wilt take me with you?" she cried
impulsively.
"Will you go%" I asked, grasping he1
hands. ).
ITO ride over the land together for
days and days?"
aye, forever! Wilt go, Deborah ?"
"And wouldst take a spy into Wash
ington's very headquarters" 49,. =
GA nh Nfc not thn 1{o,, 80 hive I,1 +, r, CJS =
asked again, earnestly. < ?
What a foolish boy" she said, soft
ly, with a smile, giving my hand a lit
tie shake. "And yet" half to herself
" and yet It'd not have you say 9TH
erwise. Nay, I stay here with good
Mistress Apthorp-'tis all arranged
half an hour ago-till her husband to-
lines. Then to home again,''she added
with a sigh, ITO home and the misery
I tried to avoid" The quaint humol
In her was all gone again, and she
seemed almost to droop. An nreason
ing anger got the better of me thai
such a condition should exist. This
wretched wal did naught but deprive
me of-aye, of what? What, indeed:
I could not for the life OF me tell
Maybe much; maybe naught at all!
"Goodby, Mistress Philipse," said I
holding out my hand.
"Goodby, lieutenant" said she, TAX.
ing it. s
And then, somehow. 7 drew her a lit
tie towards me and looked down into
her eyes-great, brilliant eyes of brown
depths. God forgive me, they were MOI
for me-, and I Strengthened Instructive
ly.
Over the upturned face went a slow.
ly rising rose color, as h said very
low:
Hon.!
And a desperate mouse" 7 inter.
rupted. vs. .I
Roger went up the road under me
snorting in amazement at the extra.
ordinary pace demanded Of him.