, 1903-02-20
1T doesn't matter" said Aladdin.

over the cellar floor and laid it on his
forehead. Aladdin spoke ramblingly
or kept silence. Every now and then
the girl freshened the handkerchief,
and presently Aladdin fell into a trou-
bled sleep.
When he awoke his mind was quite
clear. The lantern still burned, but
family, for the air in the cellar was be-
coming heavy. Beside him on the
straw the girl lay sleeping. And over
heard footsteps sounded on the stable
floor. He remembered what the girl
had said about the people who would
kill him If they found him, and blew
out the lantern. Then, his hand over
her mouth, he walked the girl.
Don't make a noise" he said.
Listen"
The girl sat up on the straw.
I'll CALL" she whispered presently,
land pretend you're not here"
! But the horse?"
"Tll lie about him" She raised her
voice. Who's there?" she called.
Its calvert. Where are your"
Listen" she answered.; 1--WE fallen
through the floor into the cellar. Don't
you see where it's broken?"
The footsteps approached.
You're not hurt, are you?"
mo; but don't come too close, don't
try to look down; the floors frightfully
rickety. Isn't there a ladder there
somewhere"
A man laughed.
Wait" he said. They heard his
footsteps and laughter receding. Pres
emily the bottom of a ladder appeared
Through the hole in the floor.
Lookout for your head" said the man.
The girl rose and guided the ladder
clear Of Aladdin's head.
What have you done with the Yam
KEGS horse?" she called.
Hes here"
where's the Yankee, 40 you sup
pose?"
"We think he must have run of into
the woods"
That's what I thought"
The girl began to mount the ladder.
I'm coming up." she said.
She disappeared, and the ladder was
withdrawn.
She came back after a long time, and
there were men with her.
Its all right, Yankee" she called
down the hole. They're your own
men, and I'm the prisoner now"
The ladder r~eappeared. and two
friendly lei in blue came down into
the cellar.
Good God!' they said. "1t's Alad.
din O'Brien!"
Hannibal st. John and Beau Larch
lifted Aladdin tenderly and took him
out Of his prison.
Outside, tents we're being pitched in
the dark. and there was a sound of
lakes. Fires glowed here and there
Through the woods and over the fields,
and troops kept pouring into the plan
~tation. They laid Aladdin on a heap
of hay and went to bring a stretcher.
The girl sat down beside him.
You'll be all right now. she said.
Eyes," said Aladdin.
"And go home to your sweetheart"
YES" said Aladdin, and he thought
|of the tall violets on the banks Of the
Maine brooks, and the freshness Of
the sea.
what is her name?" said the girl.
Margaret" said Aladdin.
Mines Ellen" said the girl, and 1t
seemed as ii she sighed.
Aladdin took her hand.
you've been very good to me" he
said. and his voice grew tender, for
she was very beautiful, "and I'll never
forget you," he said.
20, mel" said the girl, and there was
a silence between them.
Il tried to help you." said the girl,
family. "but I wasn't very good at It,"
"You were an angel" said Aladdin.
II don't suppose we'll ever see each
other again, will WEI" said the girl.
II don't know" said Aladdin. "Per
haps I'll come back some day"
TITS very silly of me" said the
girl.
"what?" said Aladdin.
Nothing"
He closed his eyes, for he was very
weak. It seemed as If a great sweet
ness came close to his face, and he
could have sworn that something wet
and hot fell lightly on his forehead;
but when he opened his eyes. the girl
was sitting aloof. her face in the
shadow.
"T dreamed Just then" said Aladdin.
that something wonderful happened
to me. Did it,"
What would you consider wonder
|fu1?"
Aladdin laid 4 finger on his fore
head; he drew 1t away and saw that
the tip was wet. =
II couldn't very well say" he said.
The girl bent over him.
ut nearly happened" she said.
you are very wonderful and beau.
|tiful." said Aladdin.
Her eyes were like stars, and she
LEANED closer.
"Are you going TO 60 on lighting