Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-11-02
THUS HALLOWEEN CHARMS WORK.

By ELLA F. MOSBY.

turn and be on top; 20 jes' fold dat
little string away, and lock it up
keerful-dats mammy's word"
Rose took it with a thoughtful face.
''You are a wise old woman, nanny,
but l trust shall never need it."
"Yo' don't know, honey" \ little
later nanny showed Mabel, no one
else being present, an exact imitation
OF the knot in Irvine.
What dey call dat knot, Mis-
Mabel?"
why, it's a true-love knot. II
makes a nice embroidery pattern,
too"
Nanny said nothing, but when she
was in the cabin alone she laughed
heartily.
"Yo' is right clever, Mars Jack, sure
to do yo' courtin' wild dat leetle bit
of gray string! Yo'. gwine git her,
too-ef yo' has half a chance, honey"
Two more years had passed, and
Jack and Rose had never heard Of
each other in the interval. But one Of
mammy's predictions had been full
filled. After a time of peace, when no
troops had been in the neighborhCod,
two or three union regiments had been
sent there again. Keen blows had
been struck by the confederates, and
in spite of sharp reprisals made, the
men in gray were temporarily on TOP,
and alasl poor Lindsay had been
captured in civilian dress; one OF
those cases where success brings rich
reward and failure shameful death.
He was to die at 10 o'clock next
morning, and no one was allowed to
see him today.
Rose was with his mother and
sister. Although not related by blood,
they were her nearest friends. When
Gen. Walker had taken his old place
(the family having taken refuge with
in the confederate lines), as his head
quarters, his wife and daughter had
Joined him here, and his young soldier
boy was often with them. In those
happy old days Rose Coleman, an
orphan, and with but slender support,
had been warmly welcomed by her
young school friend, Mabel, and made
one of the family from the first by all.
After Gen. Walkers death the others
remained because Lindsay could
sometimes be with them. The SER
wants of the refugee" household had
never gone away. Nanny Sarah"
had nursed very tenderly a little
daughter of Mrs. Walkers, who hao
died here. and with the exception of
Mars Jack" Bellamy, also a nursing
of hers in years gone h., she seemed
TO have transferred her affection to
the Walkers, and ruled over them,
greatly to their own advantage.
She entered noiselessly and
beckoned Rose aside. cit yo' wraps
ready, honey, an de knot of gray
string. De heritage is at de do now
Then she turned to the others, the
tears running down her black cheeks.
Il gwine take Miss Rose wild me a
little while,-an' eff de Lord bless us.
Wen bring yO' son home But pray,
wild all yo' heart, and hope for de
blessing!"
She pressed Mabel's cold hand be-
tween two rough ones, and hurried
away. 1t seemed like a dream TO Rose,
as Jim drove along rapidly, and Nam
my said now and then a few words.
dis here Gen. Bellamy-tis my
Mars Jack, sure. Miss Rose, you IS
go to show dat little knot-he give his
word on it-and ask for Mars
Lindesay's life. You saved his. Miss
Rose, 20 mus trus' de Lord,-yo' jes'
got ter save dis life, honey"
In her heart she believed no one
could deny that sweet. sorrowful
face.
Once or twice they came upon the
guards, and would have been sent
back, but Mammy's imperious state
ments that they had secret informa-
ton for the general, carried them
through. Roses beauty was not with
out effect, either, with soldiers said to
be the most chivalrous in the world.
Arrived at camp, they were carried
to the generals headquarters. He was
debating dispatches, but as soon as
the envelope with the tiny lovers knot
was brought to him, he dismissed all
who were in the room. He was kind
in his greetings, but he was changed.
This was no impulsive, mischieVous
boy; it was a man hardened by stern
experience, with the dignity and re-
serve of power. He gave a keen,
searching glance at Roses face as
soon as the veil was thrown aside, but
even Nanny could not jecipher its
meaning.
Roses heart sank as he went
straight to the point at issue.
81 see," he said, looking at the knot.
you have request to urge. 1t is
Capt. Walkers life, of course"
Rose uttered a faltering eyes. o.
you gave me your word,-when You
were in peril, she could not go on.
Jim hau done far more than she. her
claim looked trivial, absurd.
He answered with formal kindness.
Il have not forgotten your generosity.
for / heard afterward Won vera IN tho