Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-25

another beast. swaying like a well-flled
wool sack, was Bet Marshall, with Billy
leading the remainder of the horses on
a string.
The crossing of the gorge Of the Dourbie
had been more easily accomplished than
they had supposed, and that by a happy
thought Of Billy Marshars master.
Billy" Maurice Raith had said to him,
"can you steal a horse?'
To his surprise, Billy drew himself up to
his full height Of six foot four, and his
voice was one of extreme Indignation as he
answered: "Dinna you be askin' Billy Mar
horsel Man, he could steal them by the
score-that u.s. If the wretched garrons
hereaboots were worth tying to q head
raip."
Then. Billy" said Maurice. clinching
the matter. here are nine good horses;
If we do not get them across yon blue val
ley we will never see hilt nor hair O. them
no. nor the price O. them. Just consider
that they are to be stealed.and that Kelton
Hill Is up yonder where the houses of Saint
Veran are dark against they sky. Could ye
| manage it7 1t Is worth 20 gold guineas
| If you dol"
MAY I never TAX my blackthorn in at
yae side Of Kelton Hill an DOT at the ither
a horse. indeed! Man, We dinna ken what
what we are talkin' ABBOTT. but I'll hae
name O. your siller-na-na. I'll steal for
love and maister-service, as an honest man
should!'
Considered as a feat of mere scouting or
spying. even as the removal of certain ami
mails from one side of a valley to the other,
Billy. ignorant Of the language as he was,
would certainly have blundered into the
first French patrol and been shot for his
pains. together with his companions But
the matter once put before him as the steal
ing of 50 many good Flemish horses, the
thing was as good as accomplished.
At all events, here they were riding easily
into Saint Veran. up the narrow not over
clean street. Maurice looking every way up
and down the fronts of the houses for the
first sight of girl who had just thrown
down her plain white seam (not embroid-
cry. like Yvette's) and was now pattering
down the stone stairs as fast as her light
little feet could carry her-to meet and well
I come her father
AS she appeared. guarding her skirts with
feminine daintiness, on the doorsteps of
| the house of the old pair in which she had
| found shelter, Maurice thought that he had
never seen her look more beautiful, not
| even that day when he had CHANGED upon
| her among the Namur cornfelds
Stout old Patrick received his daughters
| impulsive advance as If at the pike ex-
to receive cavalry Maurice only wished
that Flower-o -the-Corn had somehow
missed her aim.
She kissed her father, first on one cheek
and then on the other, in continental
| fashion.
Garry me inr' she cried. her arms
clasped about her fathers neck oh it lie
| so dirty here! And-I thought you were
| never-never coming" she added somewhat
| irrelevantly.
And to the wish that is father to the
| thought. she seemed by an eye glance like
| the sunlit sky for brightness, to include
| Maurice in the emphasis.
| Il thought you were never coming" he
! murmured to himself. and that more than
| once
| 1t was her father who spoke first, when
| once he had deposited his daughter on the
| firm and walkable earth of the COURTYARD
| This is the young man." he began, TAX
| ing Maurices hand affectionately. who
| was known to us the wagner who
! brought the direct and official communal
| cations from the camp of the allies Like
| ourselves and for a similar reason he was
| compelled for reasons of state to
| keep the secret for some time He has
| now made 1t known to me that he Is Can
| tain Maurice Raith of the private staff OF
| my Lord Marlborough, sent hither on most
| secret and important political business
| F1ower-o't he-Corn bowed distantIy. hut
| made no remark. Whatever her final in
| tentions she had no idea of letting the
young man of too cheaply.
| Let me introduce you to my host and
| hostess" she said. they are kind old peo-
pie, childless, for this place more than
| sufficiently rich. and will be delighted to
| welcome You. Indeed, have been pestered
out OF my life during these last weeks by
| people who wanted to know when 1t was
| likely that you. my father. would pay them
a visit!'
She was proceeding to ignore Captain
] Maurice somewhat markedly. taking hae